Is their a car lover on your holiday shopping list this year?  Are you looking to give a gift that’s both fun and informative at the same time?  I know I am, so this weekend, I spent some time at the library, checking out the new car and automotive guides, and then I browsed the shelves at my local Barnes and Noble, looking for gifts for the car lovers in my life.  While I can’t share with readers which books I actually purchased (spies have eyes and all that!), I can share the books I thought would make fantastic gifts for the car crazy people in your life, and while I did end up purchasing a few of these, I can’t disclose which ones!

Auto Repair for Dummies (Retail: about $20.00)

Chances are everyone has either heard about or read at least one “Dummy” book in their life, and this is a great book that explains the basics of car maintenance and repair, basic tune-ups like how to change the oil, how to replace the air filter, etc.,  It also offers chapters on the cooling and electrical systems, suspension, brakes, fuel systems and more, including diagrams and even a glossary of automotive terms, and step-by-step instructions on repairs and maintenance,  While it’s not a replacement for your owners’ manual, it’s a good supplement to have on the shelf.

Kelley Blue Book Used Car Guide: January to March 2010 (Retail:  about $10.00)

While the Kelley Blue Book Used Car Guides are only published quarterly, they make great stocking stuffers because of their small size and reasonable price – about $10.00.  These are also great to continue giving throughout the year – again because they are reasonably priced – and they make a fantastic collection to own.

Chapman’s Car Compendium: The Essential Book of Car Facts and Trivia (Retail:  about $15.00)

This book is great for those who love cars and are into automobile trivia.  Over 250 fun facts and questions on just about everything.

The Big Book of Car Culture: The Armchair Guide to Automotive Americana by Jim Hinckley (Retail: about $25.00)

One of my favorite books to give as a gift for almost any occasion, The Big Book of Car Culture offers readers over 300 pages which will surely satisfy those curious about all forms of car culture, from Route 66, GTO’s, vintage ads and maps, to quick facts, roadside attractions, nostalgia, the evolution of the modern ride – and so much more.  A few years ago, I bought a book called Hit The Road, which I absolutely love (and still highly recommend if you can find it; it’s currently out of print), and The Big Book of Car Culture is both comparable and just as good, and unlike Hit The Road, it’s available.

Amelia Hits the Road by Marissa Moss (Retail: about $10.00 new)

For the littlest cruisers (or at least those between the ages of 8-11), Amelia Hits the Road, written by Marissa Moss, is a terrific book which centers on ten-year-old Amelia as she, her mom and older sister Cleo embark on a car trip back to sunny California to see Amelia’s best friend, Nadia.   The book is written as a journal, and includes drawings, observations, and descriptions of sights along the way are such fun, even grown-ups will get a kick out of Amelia’s road trip antics.  When my daughter was young, she loved all of the Amelia books, but Amelia Hits the Road was one of her favorites, and when we would take car trips as a family, the book was never left at home!  Unfortunately, it’s out of print, but you can still find good used copies from authorized sellers at Barnes and Noble and/or Amazon for much less than the retail price.

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