With the overwhelming number of options available to a gift-giver these days, trying to find the perfect present for anyone can be stressful. But when that gift recipient also happens to be a classic car enthusiast – and not just any enthusiast but the type who approaches routine vehicle maintenance with the same caution and care as a new parent bringing their freshly-minted baby home from the hospital? Well, it’s no wonder they know you by name at the gift card kiosk.
However, we here at Parts Via urge you to put that little square bit of plastic back on the carousel. Your beloved gearhead does not need another $50 to a random online retailer. They deserve something with intention and sentiment. Something that will make them pause and take a deep breath, overcome with the realization that you not only recognize their deep-rooted obsession for polished chrome and dressed tires, but actually support it. Or, at the very least, will make them go “Hey-- I needed one of these! Thanks!”
So, give your pointer finger a little stretch and start scrolling through these curated gifts, handpicked by classic car lovers for classic car lovers. We guarantee you’ll find something with more heart than a gift card.
Car Care Products & Cleaning Accessories
For the practical people out there, you can’t go wrong with some high-quality cleaning goods. Now it’s likely the classic car lover on your gift list already has a go-to brand they prefer to use on their cherished ride. If, however, you can’t find time to sneak into the garage and give all the bottles a little shake to see what needs replacing, then consider adding something new to their cleaning arsenal. Parts Via carries a long list of highly-reputable brands including Meguiar’s, Mothers, Griot’s Garage, and the MECUM-approved 303 Products.
If you’re nervous to hit Purchase on a new brand of cleaner, then gift your car nut a new toy. Car cleaning and detailing tools have come a long way from grandpa’s squeegee and that pile of rags that even your penny-pinching grandmother was ready to throw away. From long-handled brushes that make getting up and into those wheel wells easier, to incredibly absorbent microfiber towels and mitts that leave a beautiful streak-free shine, there are any number of handy tools to help get the job done.
Custom Floor Mats
Fusing style, functionality, and personalization, a set of custom floor mats makes a fun (yet still practical) gift. These mats not only protect a vehicle’s interior from wear-and-tear, preventing corrosive moisture from working its way down to the aged floor pans where it can wreak havoc, but they also add a unique touch to the cabin.
And with so many different materials, designs, and styles, you really can find something to suit every taste. Go for a period-appropriate or timeless look, or color outside the lines a little and opt for something that reflects your classic car lover’s favorite automaker, sports team, or heck, Looney Tunes character. Imagine the look on their face when they step into their ride and see custom mats tailored to their vehicle's specifications – or Yosemite Sam’s weird little grin smiling up at them. It’s a win-win that’s sure to earn you at least a few brownie points.
Digital TPMS
What’s this? Digital tech for an analog ride? Yes, it’s also a little peace of mind for you. A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) – many of which are available in retrofit kits – allows your classic car lover to enjoy the modern safety and convenience of accurate tire pressure data, even if they’re still rocking an old school wheel and tire setup. The system will keep tabs on tire inflation, warning the driver if any issues are detected, while also helping to maintain better handling and overall tire life.
If a full TPMS seems a little too new age for the classic car lover on your list, then consider easing them into the modern world of technology with a digital tire pressure gauge. It’s a small gift with a big impact, taking the guesswork out of tire pressure readings.
Headlight Conversion or Upgrade
Speaking of modern conveniences, quality lighting cannot be understated. A key component to vehicle safety is not only the ability to see the road clearly, but also having other drivers see you. If your loved one is still puttering around with dull sealed beam headlights, then it’s time for an upgrade.
Brands like HELLA and Morimoto offer conversion kits that blend today’s powerful lighting technology with yesterday’s singular styling to offer the best of both worlds. You don’t even have to sacrifice that retro OEM Yellow or Warm White glow, as the kits offer multiple beam colors alongside various headlight sizes and shapes.
New Shifter
While it’ll put a slightly larger dent in your gift-giving budget, a B&M or Hurst shifter is sure to put an enormous smile on your car lover’s face. Offering much more precise shifting with shorter throws, a quality manual shifter upgrade greatly improves the driving experience – and adds some serious style to the center console area. Check out Parts Via’s wide selection, where you'll find everything from shift levers and knobs, to cables and ratchet shifters.
Vintage Trim & Accessories
If you’re looking to wrap a collection of classic car gifts, or you’re shopping for someone who really sweats the details, then consider scoping out some vintage trim and era-specific accessories, like door handles, mirrors, and emblems.
Sure, you can scour the interwebs for the perfect period-correct match, or you can pick up a picture-perfect new replacement right here on Parts Via. Shop brands like Ford Performance, Holley Classic Trucks, Putco, and more for authentic-looking accessories or color outside the lines again and opt for a novelty upgrade from Fan Mats featuring your favorite team’s logo molded in 3-D.
New, Old Gauges
Combining modern reliability with vintage charm, a new set of gauges not only ensures accurate monitoring of crucial engine functions but also enhances the overall driving experience with improved safety – and a pretty sweet view every time your classic car lover glances down at the dash.
Since matters of style are mostly personal, this is a gift where you may want to “spoil” the surprise and have your motorhead pick out what best suits their needs and the car’s design. There’s certainly a wide variety to choose from, including classic analog styles as well as high-def LCD solutions. You can even upgrade to gauges that offer advanced warning indicators and data logging capabilities (great for enthusiasts who like to hit the track) or that tie into relays to activate fans, pumps, or other electrical devices. Start your search here on Parts Via, with top-notch brands like AutoMeter, Holley Performance, Mr Gasket, Equus, and AEM.
Back-Up Camera
While now available as handy standard equipment on new rides, classic cars lack back-up cameras – along with many other modern safety features. What’s nice about current aftermarket options is that you have your pick of comprehensive, wired-in models or less complex, wireless ones.
Plus, now that everyone has a smartphone in their pocket, you’re not married to mounting a screen on the dash and disrupting the clean lines. You can purchase a small wireless backup camera that installs in the car's rear license plate area and sends the video feed right to your phone’s display screen. Throw in a versatile smartphone mount for hands-free viewing, and you’ve got yourself a pretty complete gift.
Premium Car Cover
Looking for something simple? Then consider a premium car cover. Designed to protect a vehicle from rain, sun, dust, leaves, bird droppings – you name it – these covers help preserve a classic car's beauty and long-term value.
Even if your loved one stores their ride indoors during driving’s off-season, a car cover is still a useful accessory. In addition to deterring pests and rodents, it will help with temperature and humidity fluctuations – and of course, maintaining that new showroom shine, compliments of those car care accessories you bundled in with the gift. Check brands like Covercraft and Coverking, available right here on Parts Via.
Trickle Charger
If you’re looking for a gift for your classic car lover that simply conveys “do more of what you love,” then – believe it or not – a little trickle charger is your best friend. With one of these gadgets, you’ll be giving the gift of reliability and ensuring that your loved one’s vehicle is always ready to hit the road whenever they want.
Classic cars, with their infrequent use, can sometimes face battery issues, leaving owners stranded. A trickle charger keeps the battery in optimal condition by delivering a slow and steady charge, preventing it from going flat during periods of inactivity. They'll appreciate your thoughtful gesture every time they turn the key -- and really, what more could you want than that?