Ian Law's gift suggestions
Gifts for me, under $50
The Cobra in the Barn
Written by Tom Cotter, it includes a foreword by Peter Egan of Road & Track fame. This book looks at that fantasy every auto enthusiast shares: finding that rare, classic auto under a tarp in an old barn. It is full of true stories of collector cars found in haystacks or junkyards and restored to their former glory. I have always wanted to be that car nut who found his dream car – which happens to be a Cobra for me – in an old garage waiting for tender loving restoration. Tom Cotter's book has turned my curiosity crank. $20.95.
www.chapter.indigo.ca
Helmet Intercom System
Communication is so vital to effective instructing. Trying to teach race techniques to a student in a fast moving car while both parties are wearing helmets is next to impossible without straining your voice. These neat little headsets slip up inside the helmet to give both instructor and student a microphone and ear piece for easy communication. Developed for motorcycle riders, they would be ideal for training at our track schools. $49.99.
www.bikeintercom.com
Gifts to give, under $100
Driving shoes
Helping your partner to be a safer driver is a way of saying "I love you." She may not be thrilled that Puma Speed Cat LifeStyle shoes are designed for function rather than fashion, but they are somewhat stylish. These shoes have thin soles so the driver can feel the pedals properly. The last thing my partner needs is to have her high heels slip off the brake. These don't have to be fire retardant Nomex race shoes – they only need to be soft and thin-soled to give the driver good pedal feel. The high heels can go back on at her destination. $79.99.
www.ladyfootlocker.com
Sylvania Silver Star headlights
Being able to see clearly at night aids safety and confidence. I have used these bulbs as replacements in my old Volvo and noticed the difference. These would make a great gift to help my partner see better on her early morning drives into work on those dark county roads. $49.99.
www.canadiantire.ca
Winter Lambskin Driving Gloves
Woollen mitts and steering wheels do not mix! However, these stylish leather gloves are both fashionable and functional with a cashmere lining for warmth and a leather outer. The leather offers a safe grip on the steering wheel, where most other gloves can slide. $87.95.
www.leatherglovesonline.com
Gifts for me, no limit
Custom painted racing helmet
Just about every new helmet comes in super-boring white. Professional racers have their own custom art work air brushed on to their helmets as a "signature look."
Finding an artist capable of helping you develop your design and then painting it is the hard part. Dennis Booth of Ideal Auto Centre in Markham does amazing custom painting for motorcycles and cars, but his talents have also been used to make helmets truly unique and a work of art. $2,000-plus.
Custom Garage Floor
Every auto enthusiast dreams of having that perfect garage to spend time tinkering in or admiring. I have spent a lot of time fixing up my typical two-car garage by insulating it, drywalling and painting the ceiling and walls, and then installing fluorescent lights.
The only thing that needs to be finished off is the floor. Premier Garage offers a hybrid polymer floor covering that would make my garage the best room in the house and the envy of all my car nut neighbours. $1,500.
www.premiergarage.com
Residential Car Hoist
To top off my dream garage, all I'll need is a compact hoist to lift my car for those under-car work projects. I am getting to that age when just the thought of kneeling on a floor to jack up a car and then place jack stands is almost enough to make me postpone the job. $2,795.95.
www.carlift.ca
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