Here we go again. I don’t know about you, but personally, I am not ready for Christmas. There are still presents to buy, credit cards to watch melt under the usage, and decorations to place. Surely, I am not alone, and I have to ask, “are you ready for Christmas”?

Do the kids have presents under the tree? Did you get your wife that special carburetor you know she wants? If you answered yes to both questions, unlike me, you have finished Christmas shopping. That means it’s time to get something for yourself. Hence, this list of perfect car guy Christmas gifts.

We can’t all get a C1 Corvette for Christmas, but this list of cool parts and gift ideas can be just as nice – almost.

Putting a big smile on your face as you open another package of socks is a tradition for all dads. But if you are looking for the perfect reason to smile, here it is. I decided to put together this small list of a few items that would make the perfect gift for dad that doesn’t break the bank. What’s more, there is not a sock or Christmas tie on the list. I decided to keep this list short and succinct, and only list items that come in at less than $500. One is close to the threshold, most are way below it, but I had to set a cap somewhere.

Although the big day is fast approaching, you still have time to take advantage of some of these great offers and get exactly what you want for Christmas.

Get The Perfect Jumper

No, I am not talking about a one-piece sleeper like you find on Facebook, This is one you can actually use. The Shell jump box would make the perfect car guy Christmas gift, as it is one tool that every enthusiast should carry in their car. I actually have one of these and it has come in handy a few times.

The SH912 (shown), is perfect for cars and motorcycles and sells for around $90.00

The SH912 model “jump box” features high starting currents that can jump-start both gas and small diesel engines. There are also others with a higher “boost” if needed. What’s more, they also include a built-in flashlight, SOS lights, and USB ports for fast charging mobile devices. As I mentioned, there are several models to choose from.

Shell’s battery jump starters come with advanced safety features to protect both the box and your car’s battery. Some of those protected situations are a short-circuit, reversing of polarity, over-current, over-charging, and overloading, making the units extremely safe for anyone to use. The units have an output voltage of 12V and operating temps of -4 degrees to 140 degrees. I actually did a thorough review of one and you can check it out right here.

The Great Cover-Up – Big Or Small

If you are looking for a way to dress up the underhood area of your hot rod, valve covers are a great place to start. The OE, stamped-steel rocker arm covers on your engine are likely bent and/or leaking, so why not step up to a pair of cool-looking cast aluminum covers from Moroso that will solve those problems while looking great.

The cast covers have the Moroso logo, come with the grommets for your breather and PCV valve as well as the hardware to hold them in place. If you prefer chrome, Moroso has stamped-steel covers as well. Even those are a great option that improves upon OE offerings.

Get FrostBitten

Did your hot rod get a little hot under the collar while in traffic this past summer? Now’s the perfect time to give it a little Frostbite. Frostbite Performance Cooling Products radiators are available in two-, three-, and four-row configurations for traditional small- and big-block applications. You will also find an extensive offering of LS-swap-specific applications.

Frostbite radiators are available for many classic Chevy, Ford, and Mopar cars, and you can expect to spend around $370.00 for a direct fit cooler, depending on your application.

These are the perfect radiator for a truck, off-road vehicle, drag car, muscle car, street rod, or even modern-muscle applications delivering up to 1,000 horsepower. They are available in various styles, including downflow, crossflow, and dual-pass configurations. What’s more, I am told Frostbite radiators have more cooling fins per inch than can be found on lesser-quality stock radiators.

I do want to let you know, Frostbite three- and four-row radiators are thicker than stock. This means it could extend farther into the engine bay and interfere with some stock fan/clutch applications. Existing cooling fan modifications may be required during installation. Electric fan and shroud options are available to eliminate stock clutch/fan.

Super Lumens

It’s not very often that headlights get the attention they deserve — unless they need to be replaced. Although LED lights have been around for years, and the aftermarket is flooded with various versions, LED headlights are relatively new to the automotive scene. Luckily, upgrading with a pair of LED headlights from United Pacific Industries (UPI) is something any enthusiast can do. In fact, you can read about how easy it is by clicking here.

Although the $212.99 (per light) seems expensive, the added safety, reliability, and longevity of the LEDs make this a great upgrade for any hot rod.

Upgrading your car’s performance is usually the first priority. But it’s time we also think about safety? The next time you’re driving your hot rod at night and don’t have a set of UPI’s LED headlights lighting the way, think about what you can’t see. That’s what can create an unfortunate metal-bending experience that we all want to avoid.

Proper Paint Protection

I don’t know of any true car enthusiast who doesn’t enjoy spending a Saturday in the garage or driveway making their classic look its best. A thorough cleaning followed by a complete detailing and waxing is a great way to spend the day. Let’s face it, nobody wants to ride around in a dirty car or truck.

If you’re going to clean your car, why not do it the correct way. The Meguiar’s Ultimate kit has everything you need to do a world-class detailing and it comes in at $96.00.

To make that detailing easy, the folks at Meguiar’s have put together an Ultimate Kit that has everything you need. The kit includes Ultimate Wash & Wax, Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Liquid Wax, Ultimate Polish, Ultimate Quik Detailer, Supreme Shine™ Microfiber Towel (3 pack), Foam Applicator Pads (4 pack), Microfiber Wash Mitt, and a Water Magnet™ Microfiber Drying Towel.

Definitely Not Socks

Every time dad opens a pack of socks as a Christmas present, he puts on a smile and says thank you. This year, give him a real reason to smile. I don’t know of any enthusiast that attends a car show or cruise night without wearing the perfect t-shirt. Now, the perfect t-shirt can have the vintage logo of the parts we all use.

The wide selection of shirts from the Holley brand of products are 100-percent cotton and feature screen-printed retro artwork.  Who wouldn’t want one or more of these instead of socks or a tie?

Christmas is almost here, so it’s time to get the stuff you really want — for both you and your ride. Thanks to this list of inexpensive car guy Christmas items, you can do just that.