The Ultimate Automotive Christmas Gift Guide

This time of year is a frantic time for those wanting to get the perfect gift for their loved ones yet most of us still have lots of Christmas shopping to do. With just under 2 weeks to go there is still plenty of time and for those shopping for the motoring enthusiast there are an abundance of options.

Here we have put together a selection of some of the finest automotive presents for those obsessed with all things motoring related. From the perfect stocking filler for underneath the tree to driving experiences and the ideal gift for those without a budget, here is our ultimate guide to automotive Christmas gifts:

Driving Experiences

For those looking for a driving experience for a car fanatic, Mercedes Benz World in Surrey has everything and more. With no fewer than 18 experiences listed on their website there is plenty to choose from. With those aimed at ‘young drivers’ with a height of 1.5 meters being the only minimum requirement, to full blown AMG half-day experiences for the performance car enthusiast, off-road excursions in a G-Class and even full-throttle passenger laps from one of their racing drivers.

For the enthusiast that is more fond of an off-road excursion, Land Rover certainly have you covered. With off-road facilities spread all over the country offering the ability to show, or try, exactly just how capable a Land Rover product really is when you show it some mud and deep water. As well as half or full day adventures, they also offer young driver experiences and factory tours to get the full Land Rover experience.

If your loved one is even more passionate about testing the limits in a vehicle, especially around a racetrack, you can’t get a much better gift than a day out at PalmerSport. Launched by former F1 racing driver Jonathan Palmer in 1991, the facility has such an excellent reputation that it has been hailed as ‘a motorsport experience like no other’ and ‘the best driving event in the world’. With a collection of four purpose-built racing circuits at the Bedford Autodrome, guests spend a full day driving a collection of open top racing cars, touring cars and sports cars to hone their driving skills. The standards of the instructors and their level of experience means that drivers are encouraged to push the limits of the cars and the circuit, unlike most other track days.

Merchandise

For those with a passion for the car they drive, the racing team they support or a brand they aspire to own, look no further than the official shops of the manufacturers themselves. Everyone from prestigious manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini, to Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Range Rover and even electric brands such as Tesla and Polestar have official shops to peruse.

Most brands offer everything from t-shirts, jumpers, hats and coats to water bottles, stationery, keyrings and branded accessories. The perfect way to let your friends and others know you are proud to own or support your chosen brand. Besides, just because you don’t actually drive a Ferrari doesn’t mean you can’t wear their branded clothing.

It isn’t only car manufacturers who produce their own branded goods either, racing series such as Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, Formula E, the British Touring Car Championship, British GT, World Endurance Championship and much more have their own ranges of merchandise to support your team either at an event or in your spare time. Not only that, but many former brands, racing teams and liveries from yesteryear are also on offer, with the ability to wear merchandise with iconic brands such as Martini Racing, Lotus, John Player Special, Marlboro’s iconic red and white colours and even Hesketh racing with their teddy bear logo.

But what are some of the most surprising officially branded gifts you can buy?
– How about a Porsche virtual surround sound system made from an original Porsche 911 GT3 [992] exhaust system, yours for £8,300.
– Bentley actually offer a range of golf products, from clubs and bags to umbrellas, balls, gloves and even a golf ball marker.
– Maserati offer the perfect solution to those with the need to store their tie collection, their leather branded tie holder can be yours for a reasonable £250.
– What could be more festive than a Tesla t-shirt with their new Robot on wearing a Christmas hat, their Santa Bot long-sleeve t-shirt can be yours for $45.
– Shopping for a dog owner? Rolls Royce have you covered with their dog collar and lead crafted from the finest natural grain leather with contrast stitching – Price on request.
– Pagani offer something that the description says ‘perfectly represents the Pagani philosophy’, a bold claim for their blue leather toiletry bag, yours for €160.
– Not to be outdone, Bugatti’s shop offers everything from clothing and accessories to furniture, vases, eyewear, champagne and even a blue carbon fibre luxury pool table with matching cues, no price on the website but apparently prices start int he region of $300,000 and it is limited to 30 pieces.

Literature

The best thing about the amount of racing literature available is that it can be suitable for motoring enthusiasts of all ages and all levels of interest. From automotive books for children to books focused on racing, design, engineering, supercars, notable figures’ autobiographies and so much more, there is a book for everyone. Not only that but the vast amount of subscriptions to weekly, monthly or quarterly magazines means there is also the ability to offer a gift that lasts all year too. That many options in fact that we have singled out just some of our favourites perfect for the ultimate automotive enthusiast.

For those passionate about in depth motoring stories and historic tales and have a love for stylised photography the quarterly publication Road Rat magazine is an exceptional read. The perfect coffee table publication compiled by proper motoring enthusiasts based at the iconic Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire, Road Rat magazine mixes everything from interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry both past and present to legendary designers and notable figures. No magazine in the automotive industry offers such a stylised and unique offering, as well as the standard of editorial and production, as Road Rat magazine, the perfect gift for those passionate about all things motoring.

If your loved ones have a specialist interest in certain aspects of the automotive industry the choice is seemingly endless. In depth and highly collectable books such as ‘How To Design A Car’ by F1 extraordinaire Adrian Newey, ‘Prodrive – 40 Years Of Success’, ‘Porsche 911 – 60 Years’ and ‘BRM – Racing For Britain’ are just examples of specialist titles that are the perfect read for those looking for an in-depth look at a specific area of interest.

If rare and unique automotive books are what you are looking for, the Classic Driver shop has one of the finest collection of titles from around the world and from every area of the industry. With literature ranging from the legendary adventure ‘Camel Trophy – The Definitive History’ to ‘Das Uhlenhaut Coupe’, the most expensive car ever sold at auction, and ‘McLaren F1 – The Definitive History’, the range of titles are unmatched in both subject and variety.

Artwork

Nearly all motoring enthusiasts had posters of some type of car on their walls when they were younger. From supercars to racing cars of yesteryear, many people’s buying decisions are still led by the pictures of the vehicles they had on their wall when they were younger. These days you may be older and more mature, but you still have walls to fill and thankfully there are so many ways to decorate them with automotive memorabilia and artworks.

While a poster may or may not cut it these days, even if it is framed, there are an abundance of amazing photography, sculptures and graphics that mean you can still have poster cars on your walls. Here are just some of the most unique ones we found, perfect for the motoring enthusiast this Christmas.

Advanced Canvas produce some of the finest hand-crafted sculptures for Porsche enthusiasts, perfect to adorn any home. Hand created in lightweight concrete with steel reinforcement and available in many different styles and models, the creations are certainly unique. The passion that goes into the sculptures is clear to see and the legendary models of Porsche reproduced shar ethe same enthusiasm.

For Formula 1 enthusiasts, F1 Authentics is a shopping haven. Offering unique pieces such as life size models of helmets and steering wheels, actual racing car bodywork encased in acrylic, tables made from real car wheels and items such as lamps crafted from car parts. It also offers scale models, artwork and all sorts of officially licensed memorabilia to cater for fans of any team on the grid. To be able to own items actually from real F1 racing cars it is the perfect way to own a unique part of F1 history.

Toys

Just because you’re having to be a grown up these days doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in things you also wanted or had as a child. There are plenty of toy brands these days that now offer a ‘grown up’ version of ranges they also offer to young ones, yet firmly aimed at adults instead.

The ever-popular brand Lego have realised that just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you want to miss out on getting to build models in your spare time. As such they have expanded their range to include larger and more complex models perfect for adults which now include things such as The Titanic, The Eiffel Tower, the McCallister’s House from Home Alone, and more appropriately for this list, some notable automotive additions. As well as the current line up of Formula 1 cars there are models such as the McLaren P1, Ford GT, Lamborghini Countach, Lamborghini Sian, Land Rover Defender 90, Ferrari Daytona SP3, Porsche 911, a G Wagon, even a Chevrolet Corvette C1.

Much like the posters you had on the wall as a child, many of us also had models of cars we lusted after. Just like Lego have upped their game to the detail and complicated nature of their self-build creations, some model car companies have also taken their levels of detail and recreation to new levels. Car models from the Amalgam Collection are stunning scale models of some of the most desirable vehicles both past and present, and their levels of detail are on a different scale too. From historic racing cars, legendary classics, modern hypercars, future supercars, rare vehicles and much more, their 1:8 scale models are a work of art.

Car

For those without a budget this Christmas, how about buying your loved one the actual car of their dreams? You might struggle to get it down the chimney and it might be a little obvious under the tree but in terms of bonus points this Christmas you’ll struggle to do any better. It might sound like something that is perhaps a dream for most people but at Oracle Car Finance every year we get a few customers who do exactly that this Christmas. Plus your Account Manager can make sure they are very discreet and sort everything out without the stress and hassle so your loved one is less likely to find out.

The Motorist

For one of the most eclectic and varied ranges of merchandise and gifts available look no further than official partners The Motorist. With everything from racing team themed clothing, models of road and racing cars and even automotive beverages such as James May’s range of Gin and Jeremy Clarkson’s various ventures including his Hawkstone Lager, there is something for everyone at The Motorist Store.

Oracle Finance

Why not treat yourself this Christmas and get a free review of your current car finance package. Our expert Account Managers use our panel of specialist lenders to help you to find the perfect package, bespoke to you and your circumstances. Our team are always on hand should you have any questions about arranging car finance and your dedicated Account Manager is ready to take your call today.