My immediate family and closest friends are all car-obsessed gear heads, so when it comes to the holidays, a safe go-to gift idea is always something automotive related. In a quest to give my loved ones something unique this year, I turned to museum stores across the United States and browsed online for the perfect gifts.
Sure, you can buy a membership or gift cards, but most automotive museums offer art, books, and gifts that meet the need of almost every kind of car enthusiast and that won’t leave you feeling embarrassed about giving -– or receiving — them.
My search took me across the country (via the internet), visiting the gift shops of the Petersen, the National Corvette, AACA, Owls Head Transportation and the Gilmore Car museums.
| Historic Gulf Style Racing Jacket $129.99 Seen in white with a blue and orange chest strip to match the Gulf Oval, this Historic Gulf Style Racing Jacket has shoulder gussets for comfortable steering, under-arm grommets for “breathability,” an adjustable waist, and qualifies as safe apparel for Time Trial and Autocross, though check with your organization’s tech rules. The Petersen offers the jacket from sizes small to 2XL. |  |
 | Racing Through The Forest - Documentary Film $24.95 Available as either a DVD or Blu-Ray, the documentary Racing through the Forest covers the Pebble Beach road races from 1950 to 1956 and chronicles the events that included legends like Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill and Bill Pollock, along with over 50 interviews with legendary drivers like Fred Knoop, Mick Marston, Bill Pollack, Jim Hall and Phil Remington. |
| Batmobile - 1989 Batman Returns $79.99 Built to a 1:18 scale, this model of the Batmobile is inspired by the version that appeared in the 1989 Batman Returns movie. |  |
 | Ford Mustang Black Compact Mirror $19.99 For convenience on the go, this compact contains a regular mirror on one side and a magnifying mirror on the other. The classic design features a secure and easy-to-use push button to open and close while the front face features the Mustang emblem complimented by an added detail of die-stamped tiny hearts on the back. The compact measures 2.75-inches diameter by .5 thick. |
| Vintage Automobile Ads & Posters $11.99 Comprising over 120 full-color images of ads that highlight a variety of cars produced by European and American manufacturers, such as Marmon, Pierce-Arrow, Studebaker, Reo, Packard, Nash, LaSalle, and Hupmobile, these automobile ads date from the creation of the automobile to the 1930s. |  |
 | A-2 Bomber Jacket $49.99 Play into your child’s dreams of becoming a fighter pilet with this authentically detailed A-2 bomber jacket. The jacket resembles the real thing worn by WWII aviators and features nine colorful patches on the front, back and sleeves. The jacket has an airplane zipper pull, four pockets, and two pockets that snap. The collar is Sherpa with the sleeve cuffs and waistband ribbed, and the jacket has a military map lining. For average sized children the manufacturer recommends that you order one size larger than the age of the child. |
| Automoblox Mini Hot Rod Roadster in Yellow $15.00 This Hot Rod Roadster in yellow features future-retro styling and fits in the palm of your hand. It is part of Automoblox Mini cars line that have a new universal connector system that enables the rapid interchange of parts like the wheels, rims, tops, and front and back ends of cars to make your own unique style. |  |
 | Ladies Corvette Steel Watch by Skagen $159.00 This ladies' watch inspired by the Chevrolet Corvette delivers a crisp and fresh design and features an uncluttered dial imprinted with the Corvette signature and clean marks at the hours. The band is flexible, easily adjustable, and made of steel-mesh. |
| C7.R Off Road Shoes $216.99 For those who loving racing and frequent the track, these racing shoes are Corvette inspired and are the same as used by the Corvette Racing Team. The multi-usage sole offers extra-durability and a lot of grip whether you are on or off the track. They are made with premium leather and the heel has been reinforced to be stiffer but still shock-absorbing. |  |
 | Model T Driving School $105 Located in Hickory Corners, Michigan, those in the area have the option to attend a Model T Driving School at the Gilmore on select days between May and September. The class puts drivers behind the wheel of an authentic Ford Model T with guidance from an instructor. The museum urges registration be completed as early as possible due to the popularity of the classes. |
