Another great holiday gift is Meguiar's Gold Class Collection. Included in the collection are liquid wax, car wash shampoo and conditioner, vinyl and rubber protectant, Hot Rims wheel cleaner, Quick Detailer, Interior Detailer, Hot Shine high-gloss tire coating, ScratchX, a Versa-angle body brush and wheel face brush, a wax applicator, a plush wash mitt, a detail pad, a Super Shine microfiber pad, a terry cloth, and a water magnet. Who needs to go to a detailing shop when you can do it all yourself with the Cold Class Collection? Priced at $84.95.
Meguiars
800/347-5700
www.meguiars.com
Why sit on Santa's lap to open gifts when you can park your rearend on one of Summit's folding chairs? Retailing for $13.95, the chair folds and unfolds easily, is super comfortable, and has a cup holder for your beverage of choice. The chair comes with a nifty carrying bag and is at home at the track or on the beach.
Summit Racing Equipment
800/230-3030
www.summitracing.com
For years I've been asking Santa for a car cover but have never gotten one. Hopefully this year he'll leave me one of Covercraft's custom-patterned covers. Available in 13 different fabrics, each cover is tailored for a perfect fit and can be personalized by ordering the optional silk-screened Mustang logo on the front. Contact Covercraft for information and pricing.
Covercraft
800/426-8377
www.covercraft.com
If you can't afford the real thing, why not get a smaller version? Thanks to diecastmusclecar.com, you can get a 1:18-scale '07 Shelby GT500 die-cast car for someone you love or, better yet, yourself. The collectible features an opening hood, trunk, and doors, and is so lifelike you wish you could shrink down and hop right in. The GT500 will be available shortly.
Contact diecastmusclecar.com for pricing.
Also from diecastmusclecar.com are these 1:18-scale beauties from AutoART. The Ford Racing FR500C Mustang is a replica of the No. 55 Grand-Am Cup GS car, and is one sweet, little piece of work. The FR500C replica debuted in August, so be sure to call now and get out the $80.95 before they fly off the shelves. While you're at it, don't forget to pick up an '03 Mach 1 Mustang die-cast. Featuring opening hood, doors, and trunk, the Mach 1 is a cool, little car that actually has real carpeting in the trunk and the interior. The Mach 1 comes in the same colors offered by Ford, and runs $52.99.
diecastmusclecar.com
GMP offers a host of gorgeous die-cast collectibles, two of which are the 1:12-scale USRCC Cobra and the GT40 MKIV. The Cobra features incredible detail, workable latches for the hood, trunk, and doors, and a working shifter. The GT40 is a replica of the '67 model driven by Mario Andretti in road-racing competition. It features opening doors, functioning steering, suspension, a removable front end, and a tilt-back engine bay cover. Each die-cast will set you back $499.95.
GMP Diecast
800/536-1637
www.gmpdiecast.com
Why display your die-cast cars behind glass when you can show them off? Arguably the coolest gift we have seen is GMP's 1:18th-scale dragstrip diorama. Reminiscent of the old dragstrip starting lines of the late '60s, the diorama comes complete with two track workers, two drivers for 1:18-scale slingshot dragsters, and a replica of the old five-bulb Chrondex Christmas Tree. Priced at $69.95, you can use the rest of your available cash to pick up Crazy Ben's Rat Rod ($99.95) and a 1:24th-scale '68 Shelby GT500KR convertible ($129.55).
GMP Diecast
800/536-1637
www.gmpdiecast.com
When the '93 Cobra R from GMP came in for the photo shoot, we had to pry it out of the hands of Editor Smith. The die-cast edition of the Fox-body R-model is just as stellar as the real thing. Like the other GMP replicas, the Cobra R features opening doors, hood, and trunk. The suspension and steering work, and if you look closely, you'll see all of the Cobra R-specific interior options. The engine is wired and plumbed, the front seats fold, and the seatbelts are retractable. For $99.95, you can give a small piece of Mustang lore to the Stang lover in your house.
GMP Diecast
800/536-1637
www.gmpdiecast.com
Not only does GMP sell die-cast cars and dioramas, but it also offers some cool accessories that would make great accompanying gifts to those die-cast cars you carefully giftwrapped. GMP's drag tire set is only $9.95 and can be placed either on a diorama or "bolted" on to a GMP 1/18th-scale replica. Add some human appeal to your diorama with either the Greaser or Car Wash figurines, both of which are priced at $39.95. Finally, keep your eyes peeled for the '67 427-powered Ford Fairlane seen here. While we were able to photograph the prototype, the real Fairlane will be available to the public shortly.
GMP Diecast
800/536-1637
www.gmpdiecast.com
If you're tired of dirty hands or busted knuckles, then the best $26.95 investment you could make would be in a pair of Mechanix Wear glove lights. These gloves are the tried-and-true Mechanix Wear design and come with an LED light on both hands. The lights shut off automatically after seven minutes, and they're waterproof.
Mechanix Wear
800/222-4296
www.mechanix.com