Father’s Day is right around the corner, and there’s a solid chance that some of you—maybe most of you—have no idea what to get the dad(s) in your life. True story: We don’t either.
Choosing a gift can be hard. Choosing the right gift is even more challenging. It involves striking a balance between finding something useful and thoughtful while acknowledging the giftee’s specific interests.
The problem is that all dads are different. They like different things. They drive different vehicles in different ways. Some don’t even like driving at all. Those dads are wrong, and this article isn’t for them.
We can’t tell you what gift to get the dad in your life, but we can try to guide your search based on the “type” of dad he is. Here are some places to start.
The DIY Dad
![adjusting a holley 4150 carburetor on a ford 289 mustang engine](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/03/adjusting-a-holley-4150-carburetor-on-a-ford-289-mustang-engine-1024x683.jpg)
Key Characteristic: Justifies starting new projects to buy the tools he’ll need for them.
Gift Category: Tools & Shop Equipment
The “Speed is Relative” Dad
![second gen chevy camaro z28 n autocross course, Atlanta motorama 2016](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/19/second-gen-chevy-camaro-z28-n-autocross-course-atalanta-motorama-2016-1024x377.jpg)
Key Characteristic: Has lost count of the number of track wins and traffic tickets he’s accrued.
Gift Category: Circle Track, Autocross
The ‘Pit Away from Pit’ Dad
![interior shot of a clean garage workspace with a green chevy nova parked nearby](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/06/empty-garage-workshop-with-green-chevy-nova-workbench-and-storage-cabinets-1024x526.jpeg)
Key Characteristic: Spends more time week-to-week laying on a creeper than he does in his own bed.
Gift Category: Garage & Auto Gear, Storage & Organization
The ‘They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used to’ Dad
![blue 1970 mercury cougar front grille shot](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/12/cougar-70-front-angle-wide02-1024x569.jpg)
Key Characteristic: Drives to and from the store in his restomod muscle car—10 miles, in the snow, and uphill both ways.
Gift Category: Restoration
The Interior Designer Dad
![69 charger car shelf](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/07/69-charger-car-shelf-1024x683.jpg)
Key Characteristic: Loves driving almost as much as he loves watching the Home Improvement Network.
Gift Category: Home & Office Décor
The Road-Less-Traveled Dad
![Rear view of a toyota tacoma climbing out of a creek off-road](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/08/Rear-view-of-a-toyota-tacoma-climbing-out-of-a-creek-off-road-1024x598.jpg)
Key Characteristic: Associates the phrase “trail mix” primarily with his selection of off-road music.
Gift Category: Overlanding, Jeep, Truck & SUV
The Neat Freak Dad
![man wiping a window clean with a microfiber towel](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/04/man-wiping-a-window-clean-with-a-microfiber-towel-1024x754.jpg)
Key Characteristic: Will haunt your dreams if you so much as sniff a French fry in his car.
Gift Category: Car Care & Detailing
The Picky Dad
![](https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/01/Gift_Card_2.jpg)
Key Characteristic: Frequently asks for the gift receipt.
Gift Category: Gift Card
Hahaha,
The DIY Dad – too funny, but totally me. I cannot count the times my Father in Law is helping out with a project, asks “what tool did you need?” And when I show him, he justs laughs! 🙂