NEW TREADS FOR THREADS
Okay, they might be a bit garish, but if you’re going to cover yourself in garments that identify you as a car enthusiast, it can be difficult to achieve while looking stylish. The best way, perhaps, is to choose a piece of clothing that isn’t quite as in-your-face as a T-shirt or a jacket. Heel Tread has added new Alpine A110-themed socks to its range, recreating the livery of some of the marque’s most successful rally cars with its black stripes over red, white and blue. Other recent additions include the Rallye Monte-Carlo-winning Mini, 33 EJB, and 100 years of Le Mans. The seamless socks are 80% cotton, come in two sizes (UK 4-7 and 7½-11½), and are made in Portugal. They’re £11.25 a pair, or a pack of four best-sellers is £44.25. Racing liveries dominate the selection, but there are less serious designs, too, such as socks inspired by the Back to the Future De Lorean and the arcade game Outrun.
heeltread.com
Rid yourself of rot
The water-based rust converter Ferrozinc is a popular means of neutralising surface corrosion before it becomes a serious issue. Now it has been relaunched in a smaller 250ml metal bottle that is more convenient for the home user than the larger sizes in which it was previously only available. Formulated for use with minimal preparation, itʼs priced at £11.96.
shop.hmgpaint.com
Not just a pretty face
LP3D produces a cool range of 3D wall sculptures featuring the front ends of iconic cars seemingly emerging from the walls on which they are mounted. Various cars are represented, though the sculptures best suit models with well-defined, blocky front ends. A case in point is the pictured set of four generations of RS Ford Escorts (Mk1-Mk4). Supplied in a black A2 wooden box-frame for £210, it makes a great talking point for Fast Ford fans.
lp3duk.com
Custom shifter
Having spent most of his career building bespoke furniture, Stephen Owen has turned his woodworking skills to classic car interiors. Using English walnut, Stephen makes custom gearknobs for classics, in a standard 40x50mm size for various fittings. Individual engraving is also available, infilled with a range of colours. Prices vary from £350-500.
stephenowen.com
Tested this month
ISWORKSHOP BMW RADIO
For those who value originality a little more than functionality, there is now an alternative to modern, retro-styled head units such as Blaupunkt’s Bremen – at least for BMW owners. ISW
