Great Gift Ideas for Your Car-Loving Dad, Perfect for Any Occasion

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

This article was updated with fresh products and new information in May 2023

It's that time of the year again—time to give back to your old man. While dads can be notoriously difficult to shop for, we've got some great gear he's sure to love, especially if he's as auto-obsessed as we are.

Remember: He doesn't really want a belt or dress shirt, so get him something he'll actually enjoy. And, along with these gifts, make sure to include something money can't buy: Spend some quality time with your dad, go for a nice drive, and share some laughs.

In the end, that's what it's all about.

Our 5 Favorite Automotive Watches for Car Enthusiasts

'Car Guys Make The Best Dads' Tee

Well, you can't go wrong here. Even if you (or Dad) consider it a "gag gift," this is a corny-but-cool distressed design that doesn't cost a lot and sends the right message.

Road & Track All Access Premium Membership

This Father's Day, give Dad a behind-the-scenes look at Road & Track magazine with a Road & Track Premium All Access membership. He’ll receive unlimited digital access to RoadandTrack.com including exclusive content, Road & Track and Car and Driver magazines delivered to his doorstep, invitations to virtual editor roundtables hosted by R&T editors, inclusion on Road & Track’s member-only R&T Insider newsletter, discounts and free shipping on the Road & Track online shop, priority registration to Road & Track Experiences, and discounts on select events. Plus, sign up between 6/1/23 – 6/19/23 for $50 off Premium All Access membership. It’s the perfect Father’s Day gift for the ultimate enthusiast.

Porsche Design Aviator Sunglasses

The P´8938 Aviator is inspired by the design of the Porsche engine block. With a milled titanium backing element, each frame is assembled by hand. These Aviators also come in a classic hexagonal shape, the P´8937.

Exotic Car Whiskey Glasses

We chose the Bentley logo here, but you can choose the badging of almost any automobile maker for your favorite car lover. These cocktail glasses are etched with the logo of your choice and the accent is hand painted in either gold or platinum. Pint glasses are also available.

Sunday Golf Pitch n' Putt Golf Bag

Finally, a golf bag that doesn't take over the whole dang trunk. This lightweight, easy-to-carry bag from Sunday Golf weighs just 1.95 pounds on its own and can fit up to 6-7 clubs comfortably. It's perfect for a quick, impromptu evening round, the driving range, or on the executive course.

Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool

Chances are, your old man already has a Leatherman in his arsenal—heck, it's probably in his pocket right now—but this is the latest upgrade to Leatherman's most popular multi-tool.

Riparo Genuine Leather Driving Gloves

Leather driving gloves were originally designed more than a century ago to protect drivers from cold metal steering wheels or their splintery wooden counterparts. Nowadays, they're more of an aesthetic accessory, but who cares? This cognac-colored pair from Riparo is a nice, affordable choice.

Casio Aviator Stainless Steel Chrono

We've liked Casio wristwear for a long time, and this Aviator chronograph is a great entry-level piece. It's super-affordable, too. The face is a bit busy, but the orange hands help you see the important stuff. Various functions allow you to calculate percentages and convert miles per hour to kilometers per hour, which can be handy for car folk. If Dad loves watches, this is the chronograph to get him.

Barbour Cheviot Driving Cap with Ear Flaps in Olive Herringbone

Some will call it a "granddad cap" but there's a reason these driving caps are perfect behind the wheel. Tweedy herringbone fabric with subtle checks adds to the classic look of a driving cap designed with fold-down ear-warmer flaps lined in fleece for brisk days.

James Brand 'The Carter' Pocket Knife

With a removable pocket clip for quick access and secure storage, the Carter is there when Dad needs it and hidden when he doesn't. The super-sharp, corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction ensures it’ll be at the ready for decades.

Le Mans Drive Coffee

This medium roast whole bean coffee comes in an awesome retro can and embodies the gritty spirit of the Le Mans-winning GT40s. Perfect for those early Saturday mornings when dads thrive.

Yeti Rambler

Dad can keep that coffee in his new Yeti Rambler. The 20oz thermos keeps colds cold and hots hot. The lid utilizes magnets to contain spills, and it fits into standard cupholders perfectly.

Custom Car Art from Etsy

Memorialize your dad's favorite car with a custom watercolor portrait from Etsy. Just send in a picture of that car and watch it come back as a great decoration for any wall.

LED Magnetic Pickup Tool & Flashlight

With both a magnet and light, this handy device may seem superfluous—but when Dad really needs it, it's going to be his lifesaver, It makes seeing and snagging small nuts, bolts, washers, screws, and even keys easier than ever, especially if they fall in hard to reach places. It's useful when working on the engine, repairing, fixing, plumbing, camping, hiking, fishing, boating, HVAC, or working in the house/ garage/ workshop

Pro-Lift Z-Creeper & Shop Seat

Designed to be folded for use as a mechanics stool, or unfolded for use as a creeper. The padded bed gives Dad extra comfort where it counts. It features six swivel casters and a heavy-duty frame that supports up to 300 lbs.

Flint and Tinder Flannel-lined Waxed Trucker Jacket

Every guy needs a waxed trucker jacket, and Flint and Tinder makes the perfect fall top layer. It's constructed with weather-resistant Martexin 7-ounce sailcloth from New Jersey, which will only get better with age. and wear. It fits like a blanket, and comes lined in your choice of flannel, wool, or quilted. Designed, cut, sewn, and constructed in Los Angeles, it's available in eight autumn-ready colors and in sizes from XS to 3XL.

Retro Tin Signs

You can't go wrong with some vintage auto signs; your dad's man cave needs some classic decoration. This pack comes with five signs to choose from—or hang them all!

GPS Drone with HD Camera

This entry-level drone is a great way to kick-start your dad's next hobby. Featuring advanced GPS functions such as Follow Me and a 2K UHD 120-degree FOV adjustable FPV camera, the robotic whirly-bird fits neatly into a handy backpack.

Black+Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum

This helpful car vacuum uses a lithium-ion battery for suction on the go—perfect for gathering up all of those Baconator crumbs. It was our top pick in our test of car vacs. See more recommendations at the link below.

Best Car Vacuums, Tested

Faster

This book is a fascinating odyssey about how a Jewish driver challenged 1930s Germany on the track. Featuring stunning Grand Prix cars, it's a great story culminating in one of the most meaningful races of all time.

GPS Drone with Camera

This entry-level drone is a great way to kickstart your dad's next hobby. Featuring advanced GPS functions and a 2K UHD 120-degree FOV adjustable FPV camera, the robotic whirly-bird fits neatly into a handy backpack.

Bluetooth Media Button

This little Bluetooth control button is perfect for dads who like to jam out to Dire Straits without picking up the phone. It comes with a steering wheel mount for easy clip-on access, allowing Dad to keep his hands on the wheel.

Driving Loafers

These leather driving loafers are comfy, stylish, and functional. They're a perfect pairing to your dad's favorite jeans and work great for a trip to Dairy Queen in the garage princess.

Tile Bluetooth Tracker

Does your old man lose stuff all the time? These Bluetooth trackers from Tile are a great option. Snap one of these onto your elusive item of choice and find them with a free app.

I'd Rather Be Watching Racing Socks

These are great for dads who want to spice up their dress sock game and let the world know what they really want to be doing. If he puts his feet up at the in-laws', you know it's time to go.

Casio G-Shock Retro Gold Digital LCD Watch

Inspired by the first and most iconic G-Shock case design, the GMWB5000GD-9 updates it with an all-metal case in a lustrous gold colorway that puts a refined spin on the classic.

Maui Jim Cliff House Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

Located at the top of Waipi`o Valley on the Big Island, Cliff House provides unprecedented, panoramic views of Hawaii's natural beauty. These aviators from Maui Jim are perfect for driving, with polarized lenses that offer bright, clear views everywhere you look. We love the Hawaii Lava tint but several frame and lens options are available.

EnGINe Organic Gin

Spirits are always a good idea for dads, and this uniquely-packaged gin is a surefire win. The 100% organic, Italian gin comes in oil can-inspired containers, which add a hint of class on their own. Featuring notes of juniper, lemon, and sage, we get the feeling it won't stay on the shelf very long.

Whiskey Peaks American Mountains Glasses

This set of four topographically indented whiskey glasses is the perfect gift for dad all year round. It's classy, interesting, fun—and, if your dad is like our dad, will get plenty of use. There's even an International Mountains set with Kilimanjaro and Everest—and you can always buy Whiskey Peaks glasses and decanters a la carte direct from Huckberry.

Torque Wrench

No Dad, "tight enough" isn't safe. This torque wrench boasts a range from 50-250 lb-ft of torque to make sure those important bolts and lug nuts are at the right tightness.

Car Wheel Brush

There's nothing more time consuming than cleaning wheels with countless nooks and crannies. This water-powered brush can make that a breeze, plus it features a soft head for sensitive surfaces and a rough head for cutting through some country mud.

Oil Udder

Strange name, yes, but it describes exactly what it is. This tool drains fluids from your car without making a mess by covering drain plugs, oil filters, and more. It then funnels the liquid down into a nozzle without getting your hands messy.

LED Flashlight Glove

These may look like something from Star Trek, but they're actually pretty handy. Great for dads who work with their hands, the two LEDs shine from the thumb and pointer fingers. They're a solid choice for dads who wrench, fish, or tinker on projects at night.

How To Build A Car

This autobiography is by Adrian Newey, arguably one of the most accomplished Formula 1 engineers in history. He designed cars for the likes of Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, and Sebastian Vettel with one purpose in mind: to go like hell. The book is a great choice for any speed-obsessed dads.

3D Track Sculpture

These 3D track sculptures show not just layouts, but elevation changes as well. You can hang them on a wall or lay them flat—they look good either way. We picked Road America as an example here, but there are tons of tracks to choose from.