Be conscious of dad’s needs on Father’s Day

He has been your dad for quite awhile now, and a set of combination wrenches might not do the trick anymore. When shopping for Father's Day this year, remember to really consider what suits his personality and will make him happy. My dad has to be one of the biggest car guys of all time, but he is also very basic and is definitely not a fan of extravagance. And he is not into electronics and techno-gizmos.

A lot has changed over the years. Heck, my dad, a former race car driver, doesn't even work on project cars anymore. Many ideas that would have worked in the past would not appeal to him now.

So, this year I was not sure what to get until just the other day when walking past a store in West Hollywood, Calif. And there it was: a chrome-car piggy bank to put on his dresser and a book to accompany it that reads, "Dad, My Hero." Even if he doesn't use the piggy bank, the car can be a paperweight or desk decoration. It just goes to show that you have to keep your mind and eyes open. And that's my best tip, right off the bat.

But up to that point, the search took me in several directions and had me digging deeper than usual for ideas.

On the inexpensive-but-special-and-meaningful side, if dad drinks coffee or tea, how about a clear mug that fits into his cup holder and is lined inside with photos of the family? When enjoying his coffee, and during daily driving, he can look down and recount special times with his kids ... or remember that one of them has baseball practice after work. It's win-win, really. The beauty of this gift is it never really wears out, and the photos can always be updated.

In most cities there is at least one good auto museum, and if not there's likely one in a neighboring city. Our family has visited many of them across the country. For example, the spectacular Peterson Automotive Museum is right around the corner here in Hollywood, Calif. How about getting tickets for the family and making an adventure of taking dad to a car museum he has not visited before? And if there's nothing around, take a detour on summer vacation to visit a museum or car show, such as the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit, Mich. Now, I'm not saying that you need to go there, exactly, you just need to seek out the activities along the way.

For the dad who is a racing fan, there are several ideas, from mild to wild. Dad might be a dad, but he's still a kid at heart, so I would recommend taking him for an afternoon of go-karting. You can go outdoors, but indoor carting, if you can find it, means you don't have to make alternate plans if it rains. On the more expensive side, of course, you could always get him tickets to a racing event, whether at a local short track or a big-time NASCAR race. Tickets for the latter are quite reasonable, actually, but be sure not to stick dad with travel and accommodation costs. Tickets are just part of that gift, right?

If you're planning to get dad an Apple iPad this year, or if he already has an Apple iPad, there's a new weekly magazine application that is both inexpensive and fun. Shift Auto News Mag (search the app store for it) is full of exclusive content, from insider automotive news to lifestyles' features, automotive crossword and word search puzzles, classic cars, world travel, gifts, gadgets and tools, new- and used-vehicle reviews and great graphics. There's even a series called "Overhaul It" where the gang reports each week on one of three cars they're making over. And, of course, I'm in it with a regular column. Even if dad doesn't have an iPad, you can sign him up online for as little as 49 cents a week for his Mac or PC at www.shiftweekly.com. Now that's a gift that keeps on giving, 52 weeks a year.

If dad is a businessman who spends a lot of time in the office, I bet he would be all over the idea of a silly necktie with cars on it, or a couple of pairs of automotive socks. This will be a fun conversation piece, allowing him to discuss both his love of his family and of his car. And the good thing about socks and ties is that you can never have too many, and there are always interesting new styles. You can get started at www.zazzle.com or seek out plenty of other sources.

Maybe your father is passionate about a particular make or brand of car, whether it is Mustangs, Ferraris, Chevy trucks or Jaguars. A neat gift idea that I personally have enjoyed and have bought as presents for others is a coffee-table book featuring the recipient's favorite make or model of car. The books look great, provide good conversation and will further educate dad.

And lastly, for the dad who always wished he could get behind the wheel of a race car, but has instead spent his whole life taking care of the family, maybe it's time for some payback. It's not cheap by any means, but, if it's in the budget, how about splurging and sending him to a racing school in the area? There are amazing schools like Bob Bondurant, Skip Barber, Andretti/Gordon and the Bridgestone Racing Academy near Toronto, Ont., plus many others. You can even put him in the passenger seat of NASCAR-style racing at a number of 1-800-BEPETTY locations for about $100, and it's almost as good as driving. This would be a heart-racing and unforgettable experience for almost any car-loving dad.

If you're a regular reader of this column, you'll find this list to be a little longer this year, just in case you were stumped and needed a little extra help. No matter what you choose, though, if it is done with love, it will undoubtedly make your dad feel happy and appreciated. Good luck and give your dad a hug from me.

Among her numerous accomplishments, Courtney Hansen is the author of "Garage Girl's Guide to Everything you Need to Know About your Car," the host of Spike TV's "Power Block," the former host of TLC's "Overhaulin'" program and a writer with Wheelbase Media and Auto Shift Weekly magazine. You can email her by logging on to www.wheelbase.ws and using the contact link.