Father's Day gift ideas for auto enthusiasts

From picking us up when we were little to teaching us to navigate the roads of life, everyone has that father figure in their life who deserves appreciation. And with Father’s Day just around the corner (June 18), here are 10 gift ideas for your auto enthusiast dad. 

1. Sunglasses

A must-have driving accessory in our sunny climate. Choose a style you think he’ll look good in; look for automotive branded (or co-branded) sunglasses that you can find on your usual e-commerce sites or on the websites of a few luxury carmakers in India.  

Autocar tip: Be sure to get sunglasses that offer UV protection. Polarised lenses that cut road glare are also a good choice. 

2. Portable Car Vacuum 

If your dad likes to clean his beloved car himself, get him a car vacuum cleaner as cleaning without one just sucks. There are two types – the corded ones that plug into the 12V outlet, and cordless ones. Choose depending on your budget. 

Autocar tip: There are many cheap, unbranded options out there, but stick to a well-known company as these will not only last long but also provide enough suction power. 

3. Car perfume

A clean car is a good place to be in and a clean car that smells good is an even better place. There are many types of car fragrances you can choose from, like gels, hanging scented cards to bottled scent dispensers. 

Autocar tip: Consider milder perfumes as too intense a fragrance can give your dad a headache in the car. 

4. Air compressor

We cannot stress enough how important this bit of kit is. Keeping tyre pressure in check is one of the easiest ways to take care of the vehicle and ensure safety on the road. Here, too, you could get either a corded or a cordless one, based on your budget. 

Autocar tip: Get an inflator that also has a few other accessories like a bicycle and football valve; that way you can use the inflator for more than just the automobile. 

5. Scale models

For the car enthusiast dad, scale models are a fantastic gift idea. It’s a great accessory to have at your desk or even something that you can dedicate an entire showcase to. 

Autocar tip: You don’t have to exclusively get scale models of exotic cars.  A scale model of the first car your dad owned could make it extra special. 

6. Motorsport-inspired watch 

A watch is a timeless style statement. And while there is a variety of options out there, you could get an automotive-themed watch, which Casio has quite a few of. Plus you can shop for watches by automobile manufacturers online.

Autocar Tip: Stay away from a smartwatch, the tech gets outdated too soon. 

7. Caps

Another go-to accessory that is a usual part of every dad’s outfit is a trustworthy cap – especially on a hot, sunny day. Get one that sports the logo of his favourite luxury carmaker. 

Autocar tip: If your father is also a motorsports enthusiast, you can’t go wrong with merchandise from Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes available on the Puma India website. 

8. Lego set 

A great way to bond with your father is by building something together and a Lego set is a good start. Lego offers a variety of vehicle builds that scale from hundreds of pieces to sets with 1,000-plus pieces. The best part? Once fully assembled, they can either be dismantled and stored for another day, or your dad can proudly display a fully built Lego set for everyone to see. 

Autocar tip: Get the Lego Technic set if your dad is mechanically inclined as these can also be powered with power functions kits.   

9. Authentic F1 merchandise 

For dads who love F1, genuine merchandise is an obvious gift choice. F1 Authentics, the official merchandise partner, has actual race car parts as part of the memorabilia. They are pricey though, and shipping to India takes additional cost.

Autocar tip: Of course, make sure the item is from a team or driver he actually likes and not a rival.   

10. A track day out

India has a limited number of tracks, and a day out on a circuit is one of the best experiences you could gift your enthusiast father. The Madras International Circuit offers track days with trained instructors and special track cars. 

Autocar tip: A go-kart track day is also a great idea, at a much more affordable price, and these are at a few other places around the country. 

11. Time

Yes, we said 10, but hey there’s always time for more. Spending time together cleaning a car, going on a night drive, or even building a Lego set together can go a long way in bonding with your dad.