Gifts that go extra mile for car buffs
For this holiday season, I’ve been poking around trying to find possible gifts that will appeal to the four-wheel fantasies of just about any motorist or car enthusiast.
Here’s a sampling of some creative, practical and fun things to choose from:
Toy Terminator. If you can’t afford a real Hummer, how about a toy version of our governor’s favorite power vehicle? Nikko’s one-tenth-scale Hummer Wagon Bronze is a remote-controlled vehicle with oversize off-road rubber tires and an impact-resistant bumper. The Hummer is 13 1/2 inches long and 4 inches high, weighs about 19 pounds and operates on a battery pack. Available at toy stores or online at www.hobbytron.com for $79.99.
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The anti-Hummer. On the other hand, to make an environmental statement, consider a Fuel Cell Car and Expert Kit, $118.95 at www.utoypia.com. This toy fuel-cell vehicle runs on hydrogen and produces its own fuel.
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Pressure relief. Motorists who are bored with one of the more mundane chores of maintenance may enjoy the Talking Tire Gauge. The hand-held gizmo, which gives audible pressure readings, sells for $29.95 from AutoSport, at www.autosportcatalog.com.
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Schtick shift. Fans of manual transmissions may like the desktop gearshift radio. Push the aluminum gear shifter to turn on the radio, then push forward and back to adjust volume and to the right to switch stations. Price: $34.95, also from AutoSport.
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Fire escape. Teenagers or classic-car buffs may enjoy dressing up their vehicles with a set of magnetic vinyl orange and yellow flames. The decals are 30 inches long and about 8 inches wide. A set of two costs $49.95. Flame vinyl decals for motorcycle tanks go for $24.95. Both items can be ordered at www.superflames.com.
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Measuring up. Gear-heads may get a kick out of Beltronics USA’s Vector Pro GX2, a gadget that measures a vehicle’s acceleration, braking and cornering. It’s for motorists who soup up their vehicles and want to check out performance and measure G-force, horsepower, quarter-mile time and braking distance. The GX2 attaches to the windshield with suction cup mounts and plugs into a cigarette lighter. Price: $249.95 from AutoSport.
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Stepping up. The Cowboy StirrUp Step, from Redneck Concepts in Liberty Hill, Texas, is described as a removable, easy-to-install stirrup step for big trucks, sport utility vehicles and 4x4s. Prices range from $32.95 to $74.95; custom steps start at $69.
And to give your gearshift a Western look, the company also sells its Saddle Horn Gearshift Knobs. A Calf Roper leather saddle horn costs $65.95. Go to www.redneckconcepts.com or call (866) 494-7837.
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Safety raiser. To keep your loved ones awake behind the wheel, there’s Doze Alert, a safety gadget that monitors the inclination of the driver’s head and sounds a high-pitched beep if it nods below a certain adjustable level. Priced at $39.95 from AutoSport.
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Brush with fame. For a stocking stuffer, consider Signature Series NASCAR toothbrushes featuring the colors and signatures of top drivers on the circuit. Cost: $14.95 for three, at (877) 750-4347 or www.3dmkting.com/toothbrushes.
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Jeanne Wright can be reached at jeanrite@aol.com.
