".. &riend, or-colleague — I’ve _ "

Photo sudmnitted

‘ CAN'T \AFFORD aTrans Am n convertible for your loved one this Christmas? Never fear, David Chao

(Offers a trunkload of alternative {and cheaper) gifts for all the car enthusiasts on your list.

by before Christmas, It’s a neat
store and I'll be very surprised if

~, you do not find an appropriate gift ,
; for: “your car fanatic friend there.

Die Cast Models

‘These high quality, scaled repli-
cas of various automobiles are still
one of the best automotive gifts to
buy. Most range in sizes from 1/43
scale to 1/18 scale, with prices
ranging from under $20 to as much

‘as a few hundred dollars for collec-
tors’ models.

My favorite? The 1/1 8th Audi

Avus die cast model, priced at

OVERDRIVE,

IT’S HARD to believe, but’:
Christmas is just around the
orner: and i many. of us are
: getting ‘mighty busy prepar:
ing for. that very special day.
If. you’re buying a gift for é a
car buff — ‘regardless of ©
whether. it’s’ your spouse,

, got some interesting ideas
for. you.) | ;

-<* Buying gifts’ ‘during the 2
. Christmas season can be both time-
consuming and stressful, but let's

{ Not get too ‘caught up with the
- whole process and forget the real
* reason for the,celebration. |

“So without further adieu, here
are some suggestions: ae

Apparel and Accessories

“Af your friend or spouse loves
“ "ears, he or'she probably.cherishes a,
number of special cars or brands,’ ~
(BMW, Ferrari, Camaro, Mustang
etc). Did you know that you can
buy BMW key. chains, Chevy -T-
shirts, and Mercedes-Benz watches |
at your Jocal dealer parts depant- ,
‘ment?
While the selection i is not
always extensive, the prices are
‘more reasonable than you think, (2
“found a Mercedes-Benz watch for:
under $100 at one of the dealer- =
ships.) \° .
'. The most popu — and afford
able — accessories are key chains, :.
_ uinbrellas, calendars, posters, pins,
and T-shirts. If your budget goes
beyond the $100 mark, items like
leather Wallets, sweaters, and
watches can be autled 10 your, gift
list. Be vey
Many of these ifts can also be.
‘found at my: favorite Store,
. Wilkinson's Automobilia a car
* puffs dream store (located at 2531.
Ontario St. just south of Broadway.
‘in ‘Vancouver, telephone 873- 6242). +
“Believe me, if you haven't been
10 this‘ fabulous store before, drop...

$52.95. With a swoopy, aggressive.
Stince and chrome paint finish, this
is one car that will get plenty of
attention just sitting still on your

‘desk. °

Cars like the Porsche 91] and

‘Ferrari 348 are also good, “safe”

buys. since most car buffs like

- them. Again, go for the 1/18th ;

scale models which range i in price

‘from $25 to $50.

‘Tf price is not an issue, why not
buy your loved one a $3,000 hand-
built. custom-designed Molson.
Indy model?, Since only a handful
of these arrive inany given year at

. Wilkinson's, they certainly would

become a collector’s item.
Some of these models can also

be found at Den for Men stores
(located in many shopping centres)...
but the selection there is limited. -

Car Care Products

If you can't justify spending
$50 on a plastic model that docs
not serve any practical Purpose,
consider buying some car care
products.

Electric car polisher/buffer,
portable plug-in mini-vacuum.
rechargeable screwdriver, und car
wax/wash kits are some of the pos-
sibilities. Car buffs in particular
like electric buffing machines,
which range in price from $60 to
$100.

Most of these products can be
‘found at Canadian Tire, London’: -
Drugs, Zellers, Price Club, Cal
Van, or at many hardware type
‘stores.

Miscellaneous
Still can’t make up your mind? ;

- Other good automotive gifts

include books and calendars (avail-
able‘at your nearest book store or.
at Wilkinson's), build-yourself
plastic model kits, computer soft-"_
ware games (eg. car racing games),
and gift certificates from Canadian

Tire or Wilkinson’s.

: Have a wonderful Christmas!

~ Support the waves Christmas Hamper Program. ‘Bring along

. 4 non-perishable food: item or-toy, Or purchase a

Wednesday, December 7, 1994 - North Shore News - 514

"iN, - Hans

as, Gretel

- January 4- -8; 4995, Pacific Coliseum

SHOWS: Wed.. Thurs. Fri. Sal. al7p.m..
Matinieges — Sat. at 2p.m.. "Sun. at 1p.m:

TICKETS: $13 & $20 includes GST (plus applicable se service charger:

Seniors & Youths - $3 off alt shows except Jan.4 and except :

Golden Ciscle seats.

“dan. 4 is BOTV's “Family Night”: 2- tickets. tor: the- price: -of- 1 on,

all seals except Golden Circle ‘seats. No other discounts apply

2 OF al alt Ticketinaster locations.
Brought to you N The Rotary Club at Vancouver.

ere’s a chance to sing your favorite Christmas
caro while ia the twinkling g parade of

sing- along to the North shore » Gospel Singers
‘on Friday, December 9th at 7:00pm
We'll supply the carol books and the”
“Christmas magicl, os

candle ‘by °

~ donation - all proceeds will support the Hamper Program.

For information #8
_call 985-6261 --

r

Sesissieacsiioneee s 6