Gifts for Car Guys: Model Cars, Apparel and Stocking Stuffers
Quick answer: The best gifts for car people are tied to a car they love: a scale model of it, a shirt from a brand already on their engine, or a sticker for their toolbox. Below are picks for every budget, from stocking stuffers to collector models.
Car people are hard to shop for because they usually buy their own parts. Gifts that celebrate the hobby are safer: they don't need to fit a specific engine, and nobody already owns two of them. Here is how to choose, and what we would pick from our gifts and collectibles.
How to pick a gift for a car person
- Start with their car. The car they drive, the one they used to own or the poster car from when they were a kid. A scale model of that exact car is personal in a way most gifts are not.
- Look under the hood. If their car wears parts from a brand like Granatelli or FABbot, a shirt or hat from that brand fits right in.
- Skip parts unless you are sure. Car parts have to match the year, model and engine. If you want to give a part, ask what they need first.
- Think about space. A 1:18 model is about 9 to 11 inches long. If shelf space is tight, a 1:43 or 1:64 model is a better fit.
Stocking stuffers
- Bull Boost Performance Oil Slick vinyl sticker: a small sticker for a window, toolbox or laptop.
- Sly Coyote car sticker: a waterproof vinyl decal.
- FABbot beanie and the Grams Performance Skully beanie: warm hats for cold mornings in the garage.
- A car air freshener from our car gifts, including refillable vent-clip diffusers.
Apparel from brands they know
- Granatelli Motor Sports T-shirt: from the ignition and performance parts brand.
- Shirts, hoodies and hats from AEM, APEXi, Aeromotive, COMP Cams and more in car apparel. Sizes vary by brand, so compare with something they already wear.
Model cars they will keep
Scale models are the classic car-person gift. Diecast models are metal and usually have opening doors, hood and trunk; resin models are sealed but often capture rarer cars. All of these are 1:18 scale, the size most collectors display.
- Solido 1999 Subaru Impreza 22B WRC #17, Rallye Monte Carlo: for the rally fan.
- Solido 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody, Hazzard tribute: for the Mopar fan.
- Bburago 2024 Ferrari SF90XX Stradale: a modern Ferrari at an entry price for 1:18.
- KK Scale 1987 Ferrari F40: the poster car of a generation.
Big gifts for collectors
- Minichamps 2022 Porsche 911 (992) Carrera 4S Dealer Edition.
- Schuco 1988 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S: a resin model.
- AUTOart Lamborghini Urus in matte grey and the AUTOart Lamborghini Diablo SV-R: AUTOart is known for detailed opening-part models.
See every scale, brand and car in model cars and diecast.
For the person who does their own work
A repair manual for their car is a useful gift if you know the exact year and model. Browse car books and repair manuals, or read our repair guides to see what jobs they might take on next.
Questions
What do you get a car guy who has everything?
Something tied to a car he loves, like a 1:18 scale model of his first car or his dream car. Collectors rarely own every model of a car they love.
What scale model car is best as a gift?
1:18 is the most popular for display and shows the most detail. 1:43 and 1:64 take less space and suit people building a large collection.
Are model cars good gifts for kids?
Collector diecast and resin models are made for display and have small parts, so they are better for teens and adults than for young children.
Should I buy a car part as a gift?
Only if you know exactly what they need. Parts must match the year, model and engine, so a gift from our gifts and collectibles is a safer surprise.
