2020 Gift-Giving Guide: Ideas for the Motorhead on Your Shopping List
The holiday season is coming in hot and with delivery times longer than ever, it’s time to finish up that shopping list STAT. If you’re also facing the double whammy of not knowing what to get the gearhead in your life, read on. We’ve got a killer line-up in our 2020 Gift-Giving Guide—one that is sure to make your motorhead’s holiday a memorable one.
We’ve broken things down by section, from enthusiast upgrades to handy tools, all with an eye for a variety of budgets. Happy shopping and Happy Holidays from all of us at The Engine Block!
Enthusiast Fun
If you have a gearhead with a serious need for speed, then try one of these higher-end gifts.
Hurst Billet/Plus Shifters
Anyone who owns a manual car dreams about throwing a Hurst shifter in it. But all too often, other modifications take priority.
This year, don’t risk gifting a programmer or cold air intake that isn’t to your beloved motorhead’s liking. Give them the Billet/Plus series from Hurst.
Readily available for most late-model vehicles, this shifter offers a shortened throw and provides a more positive feel to make significant improvements to performance and driver experience. Prices range from $200 – $550.
Safety Gear
Every year, racers are required to replace their dated equipment. And since the 2020 racing season took such a severe hit, why not give the gearhead on your list something to look forward to with some fresh swag?
Built to take the knocks so you don’t have to, Simpson Race Products offers everything from helmets, suits, gloves, and neck protection to seats, harnesses, and parachutes. Check out the full catalog here.
G-Tech Accelerometer
Social distancing and all the madness of 2020 has left us with a lot of time to bench-tune our cars. The G-Tech Accelerometer gives you the chance to see if you’re making improvements, without needing to hit the track. At $300, it’s not a cheap gift, but certainly one any gearhead will love.
Measuring 0-60, 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile times, as well as horsepower and torque, this is a true professional-grade tool accessible to enthusiasts. Plus, there are no hookups or wiring and it doesn’t require any permanent mounting. That means, it can be used in any vehicle YMM, whenever and wherever it’s needed.
Supercar Driving Xperience
Do you really want to knock ‘em dead? Give your gearhead the chance to drive real supercars on real tracks—with no speed limits. The Supercar Driving Experience allows drivers to choose from an impressive collection of some of the world’s most exotic rides, including the Ferrari 488 GTB, Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4, McLaren 570S, and Porsche 911 GT3.
Tickets are surprisingly affordable, with ride-alongs starting at $49 and driving experiences starting at $199. With more than 20 locations across the US to choose from, what are you waiting for?
Go Virtual
Depending on where you live, it can be a little tough to get to a track or trail these days. Why not jump on the virtual bandwagon and hook up your motorhead with a video game that connects their gaming system with their passion?
Right now, Dirt 5 is available for both Playstation and Xbox. The series is a fan-favorite because it lets folks tap into the radical world of off-road and dirt racing, but also keep an eye out for the long-awaited Gran Turismo 7. While it’s unclear when the exact release date is, we’re betting it’ll be here before Christmas in order to accompany the release of Sony’s PlayStation 5 which dropped in mid-November.
Apparel
Who doesn’t love fresh threads?
Deberti/McFarland Combo
Does your loved one enjoy binge-watching Cleetus McFarland’s Youtube series or Twin Turbos featuring Brad Deberti? Why not set them up with an outfit featuring both of their favorites?
The Deberti Snapback and McFarland T-shirts are an excellent way to declare a burning love of sick builds featuring stupid amounts of boost.
There are plenty of products and designs to choose from. We get a particular kick out of the “Hell-Yeah Brother” Tire Stencil and the Cleetus Freedom Button saying such gems as “James, Get the toolbox” and “Leter Rip Tater Chip!” Either one would make a great add-on gift or stocking stuffer.
Hoonigan Puffer Jacket
Hoonigan apparel in the form of a stylish Puffer Jacket was sure to snag a spot on our 2020 Gift-Giving Guide. It’s time for that special gearhead in your life to exchange his tattered, worn-out jacket for a more fashionable upgrade. Plus, practicality always prevails—with cold weather settling in, this is a warm choice for winter wear.
On the Job
Got a gearhead hard at work? Try making their job a little easier with one of these gifts.
3M WorkTunes
While this isn’t a new product by any means, it is a fantastic purchase. Coming from experience, 3M WorkTunes ear-protective headphones are a total game-changer. You can wear them while you run power tools or other noisy equipment to protect your ears, but because they are Bluetooth-equipped, you can also link to any device to stream tunes while you work.
This makes for a far better working experience, which can increase productivity. If that gearhead in your life doesn’t already have a set, you need to hook it up! Plus, at under $50, they’re a total steal!
CLC Tool Backpack
Hauling tools is no fun. Neither is hauling tool bags. That’s why the CLC Tool Backpack is another real game-changer.
With 75 pockets across six different compartments, it provides superior organization—not to mention, transporting tools via backpack is a lot easier compared to boxes or bags. Going to the junkyard or working on vehicles in remote areas is made so much more enjoyable with this simple upgrade.
The CLC Tool Backpack will run you about $125. But with a durable ballistic polyester fabric construction, you can rest assured your motorhead will get plenty of heavy-duty use out of it for years to come.
Small Space Heater
While working in a garage over the winter months protects you from the elements, it doesn’t entirely keep out the cold.
Consider hooking up your gearhead with one of these handy ceramic space heaters from OPOLAR, for under $50.
Fast to heat with an adjustable thermostat, this little heater fits great on any workbench to warm hands in between tasks or even blast the chill off tools. Plus, an automatic overheat system will shut the unit off if any parts overheat, providing some added peace of mind.
Brake Cleaner Tumbler
Nothing is more important for getting the job done than a warm cup of coffee. You know this because you see all those empty cups and busted mugs scattered throughout the work truck. Clearly, a tumbler is a smart gift for any gearhead because it reduces the mess and won’t shatter as it rolls around the cabin floor.
But don’t buy just any tumbler—set them up for a laugh! Looking just like a can of brake cleaner, motor oil, or starter fluid (grease and all!), they’re sure to muster a chuckle… and a second glance. Plus, these tumblers are absolutely massive, so your gearhead will stay fueled up for hours on end.
Family Bonding
Have some budding gearheads on your list? Why not look into an auto-themed gift that works for the whole family?
Board Games
I don’t know about you, but family board game night gets pretty heated in our house. Nothing says straight-up bonding like smoking the household competition.
Yes, tensions will be high, but it’s worth reminding them who the real king of the wheel is. There are tons of games, but Rallyman: GT Core Box, Famous 500, Thunder Alley, Getaway Driver, and Ticket to Ride Express are some of the coolest out there.
Destination: Education
A trip to the museum isn’t for everyone—but it is an excellent way to connect with the motorhead in your life. By tagging along to an auto museum, you’ll be able to learn more about what draws them to cars and drives their passion.
There are a ton of auto museums across the US, but the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, The Henry Ford, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame are a few of the best.
Richard Petty Racing Experience
Driving a racecar is a powerful experience, especially if it’s the kind of car that has shaped American History. Getting to drive a stockcar is a lifelong dream for many folks and understandably finds itself on many bucket lists.
The Richard Petty Driving Experience is a thoughtful gift idea that gets your lovie behind the wheel of a once-in-a-lifetime experience they’ll never forget. Plus, family and friends are encouraged to come out and take part in the joy by watching from the stands at several tracks across the country.
Nothing on our 2020 Gift-Giving Guide hitting the mark? Check out our lists from 2019 and 2018 for some more ideas.
