Autoweek's Father's Day gift guide for car guys

We compile a list of must-have gear and experiences just for Dad

Driving a tank certainly tops our list. 

For Father's Day, get your old man something he'll truly remember. Put him behind the wheel of a dragster. Throw him the keys to a Ferrari. Heck, he can even smash into a car with a Crown Vic or crush another with a 60-ton tank.

While you're at it, throw in one of the gifts we've paired with each adventure -- you'll thank us, and so will the dad in your life.

The Experience: Drive A Tank

 

Tank-yea! 'Merica. 

Deep in the woods of rural Minnesota, Dad can commandeer a tank -- yes, a real tank -- and fulfill his Schwarzenegger fantasies by driving over a car. He can also shoot fully automatic machine guns.

Find out more at driveatank.com

Price: Starting at $399

The Gear: Leatherman Skeletool CX

 

Another great tool from the folks over at Leatherman. 

It might not fix a tank, but the ultralight, tungsten-coated Skeletool CX could just save your day the next time you venture into the woods.

Find out more at leatherman.com

Price: $107

The Experience: Bondurant VIP Program

 

Let Dad try his hand at pit-maneuver. 

The racing-school pioneers at Bondurant don't just train racers. They can teach Dad how to evade vehicular threats, pull J-turns, ram through barricades and improve car control in this course.

Find out more at bondurant.com

Price:$5,925

The Gear: American Optical Aviators

 

What better than a set of stylish aviators to let Dad reenact his favorite scene from 'Smokey and the Bandit.' 

In the 1950s all of the toughest and coolest pilots wore these. They're still made in the good old U.S. of A after all these years.

Find out more at aoeyewear.com

Price: $78

The Experience: Exotics Racing

 

Ripping around a track in an exotic car is the perfect gift for the car enthusiast Dad in your life. 

Dad will drive a fleet of Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Firraris, and Porsches on a dedicated race course for as many laps as his heart and your wallet desire. Professional training and the chance to ride with a drift racer are available.

Find out more at exoticsracing.com

Price: starting at $199

The Gear: Autodromo Prototipo Nero

 

This Prototipo is much better than any bland tie. 

A mega-cool revival of the '70s racing chronograph, the over-sized Prototipo harkens back to the era of fast Can-Am racing.

Find out more at autodromo.com

Price: $625

The Experience: Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School

 

Let Dad shred the pavement one quarter-mile at a time in this drag-racing experience. 

Frank Hawley is a 30-year drag-racing vet and two-time NHRA world champ. You'll surely want him instructing during Dad's attempts to master a big-block dragster.

Find out more at frankhawley.com

Price: starting at $399-$599

The Gear: 'American Nitro' DVD

 

All of the thrills and frills of drag-racing from the comforts of Dad's favorite chair. 

"Seventies drag-race mayhem is back!" in this schlocky B-grade, drive-in flick gloriously remastered for DVD.

Find out more at americannitro.com

Price: $19.95