About this time of year we wonder what to get dear old Dad for Father’s Day. Heck, maybe you are a dad yourself and deserve to treat yourself. Who says you even need to be a dad? One thing is for sure though, if you love old cars you are always on the lookout for new products, trusted vendors and dependable services for your old car needs.
Old Cars has done the hard work for you and compiled a handy Father’s Day Gift Guide to help you find that special something for the car lover in your life… Even if that special someone is you!
Keep Dad covered
Can’t find the perfect gift for Dad? Just look in his garage. If he doesn’t have a proper cover to protect his pride and joy, tuck in his favorite ride with the new
GM-licensed SC1 ShowCase by CarCapsule. And if your ride needs protection, too, be sure to shop for yourself while cruising through the carcapsule.com website. The company offers a large line of CarCapsules for a variety of vehicles. To learn more, call 219-945-9493 or visit www.carcapsule.com.
‘1 of 1 Muscle Cars: Stories of Detroit’s Rarest Iron’ book
Just when you think you knew or had heard of every muscle car, you’re left corrected by Wes Eisenschenk’s new book, “1 of 1 Muscle Cars: Stories of Detroit’s Rarest Iron.”
The book just doesn’t cover the “one of one originally built with a black exterior, a green interior, an AM radio and a three-speed and stripe-delete on March 1” type of cars, but truly unique muscle cars that are the only examples built with a certain engine; built as one-of-a-kind prototypes, promotional cars or pilot cars; or unique super-car builds. There’s the Petty Blue 1969 Plymouth Road Runner convertible, the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302, the Pete Estes 1968 Camaro Z/28 convertible and more than three dozen others.
The book is a true page-turner that not only tells the story of unique muscle cars, but offers incredible insight into how the factory built cars and constructed prototypes, then used these cars and finally disposed of them (sometimes permanently, sometimes offering them to the public). Similar insight is provided into cars built by the “super car” builders of the muscle car era. Since each one-of-one muscle car has its own chapter, the book is easy to pick up and read for busy on-the-go readers, but is always hard to put down, regardless of one’s schedule.
Each muscle car is illustrated with contemporary color photos and, often, with period images that help document the cars’ authenticity.
Many muscle car books have been printed and resold or recycled, but “1 of 1 Muscle Cars: Stories of Detroit’s Rarest Iron” stands tall among the most entertaining to read and enjoyable to reference. Order this 240-page, 6×9-in. paperback book from publisher CarTech for $ 29.95 plus shipping by calling 800-551-4754 or go to www.cartechbooks.com/CT697.
Give Dad some ‘tic-tach’
Help Dad bring a little more car into Mom’s house with a gift from Ben’s Automotive Decor (B.A.D.). Using recycled car parts, B.A.D. makes cool items for the home and the garage, including the pictured tabletop clock built from a piston and rod and offering Dad some “tic-tach” from his easy chair to let him know when it’s time to head back into the garage. B.A.D. offers a full line of gearhead-driven gifts, from sculptures to lamps to bar ware and even a coffee table that uses an engine block as a base, and B.A.D. can also make personalized gifts or cool works. The pictured tabletop piston clock featuring a face incorporating clock and tachometer gauges is sure to please and retails for $ 99. In addition, B.A.D. also offers gifts priced at under $ 25 and also higher. Go to www.bensautodecor.com for a full catalog, or call 805-712-9942 to learn more.
Gallery of customs: ‘The Automotive Alchemist’ book
Andy Saunders has been described as the “British George Barris” for his incredible custom car-building skills, but he’s also restored many notable cars in his decades-long career. Now, the man and dozens of his unique customs are featured in the hardcover book “The Automotive Alchemist” from publisher Dalton Watson Fine Books.
Lavishly illustrated across more than 1,000 period and current photos are Saunders’ works, each explained in Saunders’ voice with his background influence and processes that led him to create his usually wild creation. These influences often came from U.S. customizers, including Barris, as well as the dream cars from U.S. auto manufacturers.
Although Saunders’ creations hail from “across the pond,” American readers will find many cars and tricks to which they can relate, and perhaps even find their own influence.
Order the 464-page, hardcover book for $ 115 from Dalton Watson Fine Books at www.daltonwatson.com, or call 847-945-0568.
The ultimate ‘Bathtub Merc’ resource
Everything Dad wants to know about the bathtub Merc parked in his garage or remembered in his photo albums is told and pictured in the new “1949-1951 Mercury Book.” This highly detailed account of the fabulous and beloved 1949-1951 Mercurys was written by the late Gene F. Napoliello with help from many other experts and published by the Early Ford V-8 Club of America, so this book was assembled by the people who know the cars best. There are seven chapters starting with an introduction to each of the model years covered by the book, then additional chapters on the cars’ exterior features, engines, chassis, interiors and accessories with a separate chapter on station wagons. Appendices cover tools, specifications, service manuals and other publications, paint and upholstery guides, installation guides, wiring and much more. The spiral-bound, softcover book features more than 400 black-and-white pages and is priced at $ 60 plus shipping. Order by writing to Early Ford V-8 Club, c/o Dave Rasmussen, 1116 Austin Way, Napa, CA 94558.
Crown Dad with a Kingswood
Nothing says “dad” like a full-size station wagon, and back in the late 1960s, the ultimate “family truckster” from Chevrolet was the Kingswood Estate wagon with its woodgrain body-side accents.
Kingswood Estate wagons were relatively expensive and rare back in ’69, and survivors from 1969 are extremely hard to find today, making Automodello’s new 1/24-scale resin model a welcome addition. The accompanying photo of Automodello’s prototype of the forthcoming model shows the model features all the detail and accuracy to be expect from the model maker (the prototype’s incorrect red steering wheel will be corrected in the production models). The fine-tuned production models are due to arrive this June or July, and with a very limited run (99 in yellow, 99 in red, 49 in black, 49 in blue and 49 in silver), ordering now is highly recommended. Prices start at $ 249.99 for models in yellow or red and $ 299.99 for black, blur or silver. Order at www.diecasm.com or call 888-212-5160.
Upgrade your radio to technology of today with the classic looks of yesterday
A revolutionary newproduct from Custom Autosound MFG. The USA-850DigaDial™ Radio from Custom Autosound MFG, featuring virtual analog screen technology. Choose from 4 unique displays, including classic analog settings and a digital display with station and song info. Customize your display color and audio settings, stream music via Bluetooth, and enjoy MP3/WMA/FLAC playback from USB. With a built-in 300-watt-peak amplifier, adjustable EQ, and dual subwoofer outputs, it offers stellar audio. Easy toinstall in over 450 classic vehicles, it combines modern tech with vintage charm.
Features:
- 4 programmable screen options
- Working analog dial
- Custom Fit In Dash
- 6-volt RCA Pre-Outs and dual subwoofer pre-outs
- CD Controller
- RCA AUX in
- DSP EQ
- Subwoofer control
- Bass, treble, mid
- Fader/balance
- Loudness on/off
Specifications:
- 75W X 4 Peak (300W max)
- PLL Tuner
- Power Supply 12 VDC negative ground
- Speaker impedance 2-8
- Fits all CAS current applications (400+)
Call Custom Auto Sound Mfg. at (800) 888-8637 or visit them online at www.customautosoundmfg.com
Old Cars ‘Swag’
Give Old Cars gear this holiday season with our full line of hats, shirts, bags and other accessories, plus much more to prepare die-hard hobbyists for the upcoming show season. Old Cars’ store has dozens of great items, and plenty more coming! Shirts feature past or present Old Cars logos, our famous 1954 Chevy panel truck and beloved late research editor Kenny Buttolph and other great designs. Digital back issues are also available on the site.
Go to https://store.oldcarsweekly.com to see the wide selection and order today!
Oh, we almost forgot the best gift of all… A subscription to Old Cars!
Love old cars? So do we… a lot! Subscribe to Old Cars for your best source of hobby news, auction news, history and features on the cars and the people behind them.
Every car has a story, and at Old Cars we make sure they are told. We’ve been doing it for 50 years!
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