Holiday gifts for gearheads, Part 3
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Welcome to the high-end installment of the gift list. This is for those with deeper pockets (in one case, almost bottomless) and the luxury of a little more spare time.
Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa 12-cylinder engine
Well, not quite. It’s about the size of a couple of shoe boxes placed end to end. This scaled-down replica is battery powered and operates by a press of the ‘Engine Start’ button. Move the gear lever through the authentic little gate and a surprisingly full-throated engine noise is heard. $499.95; www.gmpdiecast.com
Tonino Lamborghini coffee maker
As if driving a Lamborghini wasn’t stimulating enough, this handcrafted baby will provide a strong espresso at the pull of what looks like a Lambo’s gear lever. This is a limited edition of 1,000 units, so wake up and get going. There are also matching coffee cups and Lamborghini beans. $1,700; www.lamborghini.com
Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370 watch
The Bugatti name is synonymous with power, exclusivity, elegance and wealth. So making a complementary watch just had to be done. This is the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 370. It has a vertical face design to make it easier for the wearer to read while driving (don’t Bugattis have dash clocks?). Only 150 will be made, at a cost of $275,000 each. Car not included.
$275,000; www.parmigiani.ch
Supercar Life
This is a track day with a difference. You get to drive five awesome supercars: a Ferrari F430, a Lamborghini Gallardo, an Aston Martin DB9, a Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series and a Porsche 911 Turbo. Instruction comes from professional racers, and fees include airport transfers, four-star overnight accommodations and meals. Which is necessary, because so far, these Supercar Life days are being held in Florida, though there are plans to expand the program to other tracks around the country.
$5,000; www.supercarlife.com
Membership to the Petersen Automotive Museum
Perks include unlimited admission to one of the world’s finest car museums, right here in Los Angeles, on Wilshire at Fairfax. Plus invites to various exhibition previews, receptions and other special events. The top $1,200 Checkered Flag level offers even more, with visits to private collections and rallies. The good part is that $1,160 is tax deductible.
From $50 a year; www.petersen.org
K1 Karting gift card
Karting is how most Formula One drivers started, so if it was good enough for seven-time world F1 champ Michael Schumacher.... K1 Speed uses zero-emission electric karts (don’t confuse them as golf carts) in its indoor circuits in Anaheim, Carlsbad, Irvine and Ontario. (A Torrance facility should be opening in early 2008, and if you’re up in the Northwest, K1 has a center in Seattle too.) The company offers gift cards, with $100 buying six races.
From $20 for one race; www.k1speed.com
-- Colin Ryan