Top 10: Gifts for classic car enthusiasts
From practical gifts for a wannabe mechanic to books, collectables and days out — we've rounded up the top 10 gifts for the classic car lover in your life.
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LEGO Technic Land Rover Defender 90
If you know, you know. The Defender 90 is an authentic icon and a cult classic amongst many classic car enthusiasts. If you didn't own one, you definitely wanted to. With LEGO's new Technic build, you can now experience the Land Rover Defender in all it's 2500-piece glory. The model includes a 4-speed sequential gearbox and gear selector with 2 levers for engaging high or low gear, a detailed in-line 6-cylinder engine with moving pistons under the bonnet and various bodywork features like Land Rover emblems, removable roof rack with storage box, pannier, ladder and traction mats, opening doors, hood and tailgate, plus a detailed interior.
Functions include working steering, All Wheel Drive with 3 differentials, independent suspension on both axles, detailed in-line 6-cylinder engine and a working winch. Turn the rear-mounted spare wheel to open the tailgate. The model Land Rover Defender measures over 8-inches (22cm) high, 16-inches (42cm) long and 7-inches (20cm) wide.
Buy it now
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£279.99 |
Cleaning kit
One of the big names in bodywork, Autoglym continues to deliver the goods with its Bodywork, Wheels & Interior Collection. This kit includes shampoo, polish, gloss protector, wheel cleaner, tyre dresser, interior shampoo, glass polish, vinyl and rubber treatment, plus a sponge, finishing cloth and drying cloth.
A cheaper, and less extensive, range belongs to Meguiar's - with the Car Care Kit offering Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax 473ml to clean and shine your car’s finish in-between regular waxing, Meguiars Ultimate Quik Wax 450ml to maintain the paint’s protection in between regular waxing and Meguiars Endurance High Gloss Tyre Gel 473ml which stops tyres from turning brown.
Triple 80's Hot Hatch Driving Blast - Buy A Gift
Step back in time to an era of limited (if any) restricting driving assists. Get behind the wheel of three hot hatches of your choice from an impressive selection of 80s icons, including the Renault Clio Williams, Peugeot 205 GTi, Volkswagen Golf GTi, Vauxhall Astra GSi or Ford Escort RS Turbo.
Enjoy three miles of racing in each one, exclusive to some of the most prestigious tracks in the UK.
>> Read our full review
Scalextric Mini 60th Anniversary triple set
The original Mini was launched to much fanfare and critical acclaim in August 1959. As the swinging '60s came into full force, the Mini became an icon of motoring. It was a car for all and even took to the big screen. This year (2019), the Mini is 60, but it is still loved across the world.
To commemorate 60 years, Scalextric has a released a detailed, special edition Diamond Anniversary triple set with features that include magnatraction, working rear lights and working headlights. The set is compatible with Scalextric ARC AIR and Spark Plug, with a scale of 1:32.
>> Read our full review
Rewire Security Spytrack Nano
The Spytrack Nano tracker by Rewire Security is a small tracker device for keeping tabs on any particular thing of your choice. The app integrates Google Maps and the topography can utilise satellite imagery if you choose. Using the desktop site you can set up ‘geofence zones’ that allow you to place markers on the map so that if the tracker goes outside of them you’ll be alerted. Aside from that, you can set up alerts if the tracker moves or travels beyond a certain speed.
If you want to track a car, you’ll need to buy the optional magnetic case to make it fully waterproof and stick it in the wheel arch. The case costs about £25. Or for a fiver less you could buy an official car hardwire kit. That’ll also prevent the battery from running out. On that basis, it’s very cost-effective.
Buy it now
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£69.99 |
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Farecla G3 Professional Scratch Remover
Farecla's G3 Professional Scratch Remover comes in both liquid (which we've tested) and paste form so you can choose which product suits your needs best. The liquid is useful for larger areas of damage due to its consistency, while the paste is better suited to smaller areas of damage like focusing on particular scratches.
Like T-Cut, Farecla G3 Pro scratch remover liquid is a cutting compound - meaning it restores paint finishes by stripping the topcoat of paintwork, removing light scratches and abrasions. While it can't work miracles; removing deep marks and imperfections (nor does it say it can), it's a great value product and we think the bottle will last a while too.
Buy it now
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£9.99 |
Haynes Enthusiasts' Manual: Audi Quattro Rally Car (1980 to 1987)
This Haynes Enthusiasts' Manual is a fascinating insight into this formidable car with in-depth interviews with many of the drivers and engineers involved with the cars in period and today, including Michele Mouton, John Buffum, Sarel van der Merwe, Malcolm Wilson, Andy Dawson, Fred Gallagher, Phil Short, David Ingram and Jari-Matti Latvala. The book is also illustrated with period images, together with archive material provided by Audi and new pictures of preserved examples of the cars today, their key components and their restoration.
The original rally Quattro debuted in 1980, and was based on the road car, but with a highly tuned 300bhp engine. The ultimate development - the S1 E2 - was introduced at the end of 1985, producing over 500bhp, and winning the 1985 San Remo rally in the hands of Walter Roehrl and the famous Pikes Peak hillclimb with Michele Mouton. This Manual looks at the design, evolution, anatomy and operation of the Quattro.
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£14.40 |
Michelin TPMS
An aftermarket TPMS is a useful investment for those with older vehicles that don't offer in-built tyre pressure monitoring systems - as well for those who want to keep an eye on towed trailers, horseboxes or the like. Much like a dash camera, it's much better to have the device and not need it than wish you'd had it after a tyre blows out and leaves you stranded.
This offering from Michelin is simple to fit and use with no batteries to change in the sensors or display unit and no cables to route around your vehicle. Tyre pressure readings are accurate and there's a loud beep when the wheels get rolling to let you know the TPMS is up and running. However, we worry about the security of the sensors considering it would only take a couple of minutes to make off with all four.
Disklok
In a time of smartphone-linked immobilisers and GPS trackers, the Disklok is an old-school way to protect your car from thieves. It's essentially a large reinforced steel disc that you lock around your steering wheel. Even if someone breaks into your car and starts the engine, they would not be able to steer it as the disc spins around.
The lock comes with three keys and replacement keys are available from Disklok should you lose yours. There are three sizes - small, medium and large - so it will suit most cars as well as pick-ups, vans and campervans.
Buy it now
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£150.00 |
CTEK MXS 5.0 12v battery charger
Whether you own a modern car or a classic, a battery charger is an essential bit of kit — especially during the winter months. In fact, turning a car over in the depths of winter can take as much as 80 per cent of the battery’s charge. And if your battery isn’t fully charged, then you don’t need to be Carol Vorderman to do the maths.
For £65 (and a five-year warranty) we reckon this is a tough product to beat. It’s sturdy and it works well. We’ve bought several batteries back from the dead. Plus, the opportunities for leaving it connected make it ideal for car owners who garage their pride and joy over the winter, or those who don’t clock up quite enough miles to recharge the battery over the course of a weekend.
Buy it now
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CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger with Automatic Temperature Compensation, Black |
£62.99 |