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bthatfield

This week we have our annual Holiday Gift Guide for the car lover on your shopping list. From books to watches and everything in between, we have something for every budget and every gearhead.


A Quiet Greatness – Japan's Most Astonishing Automobiles for the Collector and Enthusiast, Volumes 1-4, Plus Supplement and Index by Myron T. Vernis and Mark R. Brinker. This four-volume book is a new, authoritative guide on special Japanese cars created for serious collectors and enthusiasts. Each volume is like a massive coffee table book with the highest production values and incredible photography. This limited edition four volume book set and 86-page supplement with detailed index is available only on www.aquietgreatness.com for $395.00 with just a few copies left in this limited run.


Tales From the Garage by Rodney Kemerer. Author Rodney Kemerer understands that car stories can be the gateway to every aspect of our lives. His heartfelt book – half memoir, half the memories of others – is truly a pop culture snapshot of modern society told through the lens of the automobile. These tales might appear to be about cars, but they are also tales of an American life and the many objects that embody and reflect it. This collection of stories originally published in Garage Style Magazine, available from Amazon for $26.50



Cobra SC100 Smart Dash Cam A high-quality dash cam is a great gift for any motorist who doesn't own one yet. The reasonably priced Cobra SC100 is a great option with minimalist design, easy installation and intuitive controls, as well as the ability to capture Full HD video in all lighting conditions. The SC100 can also inform an emergency contact and the driver's insurance company if necessary. $70 on Amazon.



Car and Driver Bluetooth 5.0 FM Transmitter Designed by automotive experts from Car and Driver, this do-everything car charger is a fantastic gift for owners of older and vintage cars that lack modern infotainment systems. The accessory is not only a versatile charger with a trio of USB ports but a Bluetooth 5.0 and FM transmitter, as well as a reliable tool for managing phone calls. Its multifunction button makes the last-mentioned process and accessing a virtual assistant distraction-free. Additionally, the gadget can play audio files from a flash drive or a microSD card. Its customizable ring light will allow it to blend nicely into the interior of just about any car. Available for $40 on Amazon.



Forza Motorsport is the newest entry into the storied Forza franchise and boasts an overhaul of the driving experience. Sound, physics, and grip have all been reworked to let gamers immerse themselves on the track. There are 500 cars available at launch, and 20 circuits are ready for you to explore. Truly, this is a sim racer developed from the ground up. Available on Amazon for $52.



Persol PO9649S Pilot Sunglasses Any Petrolhead knows that Steve McQueen was the king of cool both on set and at the race track. An iconic man needs an iconic pair of sunglasses, and McQueen's Persols were definitely up to the job. You keen listeners will likely notice that he wore a pair of Persol 714s for most of his time on screen, but these 649s are just as handsome and come in at nearly half the price. $269 on Amazon.



LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 From the LEGO Technic Ultimate Car Concept series: Your favorite car lover will be able to recreate the features of the Ferrari Daytona SP3 in classic red with chrome-painted rims. Features include steering, an eight-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifter, a V-12 engine with moving pistons, and opening butterfly doors. Created especially for adults, the completed 1:8 scale model will make a fantastic display piece for any auto enthusiast's office or workspace. $440 from Amazon



Relentless Drive 20-Piece Car Wash Kit If you're starting from the ground up and need an all-in-one kit on a budget, you won't find a better solution than the Relentless Drive Ultimate Car Wash Kit. This 20-piece kit includes nearly every tool, accessory, and cleaner you'll need to make your car look good as new. $80 on Amazon.



Chemical Guys ProFlow Performance Electric Power Washer Chemical Guys is known for its full line of car cleaning products and they recently released one of the most essential tools for cleaning — the power washer. The ProFlow Performance Electric Pressure Washer has a powerful 14.5-AMP/1680W motor that generates up to 2030PSI of pressure and 1.77GPM of water flow making the toughest jobs fast and easy! Available on Amazon for $199.



The Chemical Guys ProBlow Dryer is the easiest way to dry a car without leaving streaks and water marks. It makes the process a lot quicker and completely avoids potentially scratching the paint. The ProBlow is the must have detailing tool that utilizes an intense stream of air generated by a powerful 1000 watt motor to dry any wet surface in the fastest way possible, effortlessly dust all surfaces, and get in tights and crevices with ease! Available at The Chemical Guys for $89.99



Custom Car Portrait Real car lovers look back at their ride anytime they park it and start to walk away. With a Respoke Collection Custom Car Print, they can get a glimpse of their car even when they're not in the driveway, garage, or parking lot. Simply upload a picture of their personal car (or another favorite car) and have it turned into high-quality wall art. Available at Respoke Collection for $49.



The Brush Hero One of the hardest areas to clean on a car is the wheels, especially if they're a tightly woven pattern. The "Shark Tank"-featured Brush Hero harnesses water pressure from a garden hose to knock away dirt and grime without ruining the finish of the wheels. Brett owns one of these and swears by it. Available on Amazon for just $10.



Xtreme Xperience Track Day Most of us believe driving a Ferrari or Porsche is an impossible dream, right? Not at all! The folks at Xtreme Xperience offer track days behind the wheel of a wide range of supercars. We were lucky enough to throw a Ferrari 488 GTB around the curves at IMS, and were very impressed at the staff, vehicle, and experience as a whole. This is a perfect gift for anyone who would love to rip a few laps in their dream car. Starting at just $199 for a C8 Corvette Sting Ray Z51 all the way up to $2,637 for the Full Fleet package that will get you three to four hot laps in each of the cars in the Xtreme Xperience Fleet, including Ferrari 296 GTB, Ferrari 488 GTB, Lamborghini Huracán, Porsche 911 GT3 992, Porsche Cayman GT4 RS, Audi R8 V10 Performance, Corvette C8 Z51, Nissan GT-R NISMO. Available at Xtreme Xperience.



Tag Heuer Formula 1 Gulf Edition Bold and energetic, this chronograph makes a lasting impression of the legendary partnership between TAG Heuer and Gulf. Sporting Gulf’s emblematic blue and orange livery, this racing-inspired 43mm watch is ready to outpace with style. $2,350 from Tag Heuer



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bthatfield

Even if you're not shopping for a race car driver, a pair of driving gloves will be appreciated by any car enthusiast. During the fall and winter, they keep hands from freezing on a cold steering wheel, adding a bit of stylish feel. Available at Amazon, $61.97



They say a clean car always drives better, so any auto lover will appreciate The Chemical Guys 16-Piece Car Wash Kit. It includes wash soap, detail spray, glass cleaner, wheel cleaner, cream wax, tire shine, and professional-grade accessories like a wheel cleaning brush, scratch-free microfiber cloths, and a wash mitt. Available at Amazon and Chemical Guys, from $99.99



One of the hardest areas to clean on a car is the wheels — especially if they're a tightly woven pattern. The Brush Hero harnesses water pressure from a garden hose to knock away dirt and grime without ruining the finish of the wheels. Any car enthusiast will appreciate the amount of time this clever device can save them. Available at Amazon for just $10.08.




It has been said, “If you can park your car and walk away without looking back, you bought the wrong car.” With a Respoke Collection Custom Car Print, you can get a glimpse of your car even when you're not in the driveway, garage, or parking lot. Simply upload a picture of your personal car or favorite car, and have it turned into high-quality wall art. From the Respoke Collection for $49.




Most car enthusiasts are all about customization and that even includes minor details like keychains. These custom leather keychains can be personalized just for them. For $47.25, you can get one side of each keychain stamped with words or letters of your choice. For $57, you can have both sides done. Available from Etsy.




Every car person needs their own set of tools. Instead of rummaging through the random assortment of tools you’ve accumulated over time, the Craftsman 450-piece tool kit is well organized and includes everything you need to tackle mechanical work. $199.99 at Sears.




If you're shopping for the auto enthusiast who already has everything you could possibly think of this big-bore, V8-style engine block coffee table will blow them away. Plus, you probably won't have to buy another gift for the next few years. Available at Houzz, $1,898.00




Handcrafted in Portugal from smooth burnished leather, the Avenue driving shoe from Piloti offers the perfect balance of dressy and casual style. Featuring an anti-microbial lining, this luxurious sneaker includes a cork or compressed recycled foam and EVA insole for added comfort and breathability. A soft forefoot gives enhanced pedal feel and feedback, and rounded sole edges avoid catching while transitioning between pedals. Available from Piloti for $195.




Blipshift makes high-quality, limited-edition, auto-enthusiast-focused shirts. Each tee is available for only a few days before it's towed off to the crusher, never to be printed again. So, a gift of a Blipshift shirt truly is a one-of-a-kind present for any car lover. Designs are created by a global network of contributing automotive and shirt designers. If you're an artist, feel free to submit a design you want the Blipshift team to consider. Available from Blipshift for $17.00




A jack-of-all-trades power source, this Cobra 200W Power Station is perfect for camping, tailgating, boating, and more. With multiple outlet types including two AC outlets, two fast-charge USB-A ports and one fast-charge USB-C port, you’re able to quickly power multiple electronics simultaneously. An integrated 200W Pure Sine Wave Inverter lets you power smaller devices such as smartphones and tablets without fear of damage. An LED flashlight and area light ensure that you’re never left in the dark during outdoor adventures or emergencies. And you can recharge with ease from a wall outlet or any compatible solar panel setup. Available from Amazon for $266.00




This pocket-sized Garmin dash camera goes virtually unnoticed on your windshield. It automatically records and saves video of incidents with GPS location, plus date and time. A wide 140-degree lens records 1440p HD video with Garmin Clarity HDR optics for crisp detail. Voice control is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish, letting you use spoken commands to save video, start/stop audio recording, take still pictures, and more. Available from Wal Mart for $170.00




Real car nuts swear by these "car skates," which allow you to move disabled and show-ready vehicles around garages, showroom floors, and almost anywhere else without starting and driving, or pushing, the car. Designed to fit tires up to 12 inches wide, this set of two dollies from Stark USA is perfect for collectors, dealerships, and anyone who keeps multiple vehicles in a limited space. Available from Amazon for $240.00




The old adage "fun for all ages" is rarely more apt than when RC cars are involved. This Bugatti Divo is sexy and speedy and comes equipped with a rechargeable 7.4V 900mAh battery, which has 40 minutes of run time at maximum power and full charge. Available from Amazon for just $50.00




This 104-piece Roadside Emergency Kit has everything your favorite car enthusiast would ever need if plans go awry. From jumper cables to a first aid kit, hazard triangles to black tape, it's all contained in a nylon bag for stashing in the trunk or cargo hold. Available from Amazon for $60.00




The Sun Joe SPX3000 is ideal for washing automobiles, RVs, and boats. The 14.5 amp/1800 watt motor generates up to a claimed 2030 PSI and 1.76 GPM, and it comes with two onboard detergent tanks and five distinct angle tips, plus a 20-foot hose, 35-foot power cord, garden hose adapter, and a two-year warranty. Available from Amazon for $169.00




This compressor is a great addition to any garage, giving the ability to quickly fill up tires or run air tools. It features a six-gallon holding tank and up to 150 PSI of rated pressure. $99.00 at Lowe’s.




Stocking Stuffers

This portable pack of 50 single-use wipes is great to quickly wipe off any dust and dirt from your car’s interior surfaces. It's safe for plastic, leather, wood, and glass. Just $12.00 from Amazon.




Consistent tire pressure is an important but often overlooked part of auto maintenance. This digital gauge gives you a clear pressure readout without any guesswork. It has a backlit screen and nozzle, making it easy to use on dark winter mornings. Available from Amazon for $12.00




With all the hot and sharp objects in an engine bay, auto repair can wreak havoc on your hands. These protective Mechanix gloves prevent burns and cuts without interfering with articulation. They’re also conductive enough to use touch-screen controls while wearing. $16.00 at Amazon.




This portable lamp can be used as a regular flashlight, but it also has three arrays of flip-out LEDs for up to 600 lumens of extra brightness. Built-in USB charging is versatile on the go, and a strong magnet in the light’s base makes it easy to stick to the underside of your car’s hood while working. $29.00 at Amazon.



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Brett, Mark, and Corey welcome Muscle Car expert and lead TV commentator for Mecum Auctions John Kraman to discuss Mecum’s summer auction results, what is in store for Monterey Car Week, John's thoughts on the new Corvette Z06, and the possible future of the Corvette brand. In the news, we get a peek at the Corvette E-Ray, the Meyers Manx gives us a charge, and can there be too much of a good thing in Monterey? All this and much more is on this week's Driven Radio Show!



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