As car journalists, we are offered lots of gifts from automakers and brands, and for years, I’ve been accepting those gifts for one reason: So I can give them to you, dear Autopian members. Here’s a look at what we’ve sent out to random members as a “thank you” for supporting this humble car website.
Beau, as a prominent dealer for various car brands including Ford, VW, Land Rover, Lotus, Honda, Porsche and a bunch of others tends to be on the receiving end of gifts from brands, probably more so than I do. So he’s volunteered to reach into his chest of swag to give Autopian members some cool car stuff.
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Check out this awesome book of Land Rover sketches, one with a Gerry M’Govern signature:
I’m donating this Chevy ball cap and bag:
Here’s a Meyers Manx hat and a Ferrari journal:
Here are some strange ones: limited-edition T-shirts from Karma:
Here’s a hat from eBay motors, plus a toy Volkswagen Iltis and a Jeep wall sign:
I’m not entirely sure what’s in this Ford Bronco Off-Rodeo bag that Beau donated, but I see a nylon strap and what feels like a tarp material inside.
Here’s a nice glass bottle from Hagerty, and the Monterey Concours d’Elegance book from this year:
We’re giving away some towels and air fresheners from the Bottas-Uber partnership (if you’re allergic to cats … maybe wash that):
We’re also giving out some Bottas air fresheners, speedos (yes, speedos), and plenty of Autopian shirts:
We’re sending out this Porsche “Edith” hat commemorating Porsche’s recent altitude record in the 911:
All of this has been carefully inspected by one of our Jeep-cats, specifically Nutmeg. There’s a lot more not shown, like BB Porsche shirts and caps, and loads of the really good press swag that is somewhere at the bottom of a box. I’ll find it, and when I do, I’ll be shipping all sorts of cool car stuff, including posters (!) to members.
Here’s the official Ram DT launch swag, a beautiful, painted paperweight. I’ll be giving this to a random Autopian member who’s LA-local since this thing weighs too much for my cheap arse to ship:
I’ll also be shipping a few of these huge Lamborghini sun hats to readers:
Plus I have a pre-worn, pre-(slightly) stained Subaru sweatshirt for some lucky member:
Become a member and there’s a chance you’ll receive random car stuff in the mail. Because we are so grateful you’re here.
I’m in for the Jeep sign!
I was thinking if I got that anywhere else, I would automatically send it to David.
Nice wedding gift
Here for the Jeep Cat.
Also, Nutmeg will be very disappointed if you give away that towel. It’s her towel, dammit!
Lamborghini sun hat FTW. Would love to wear that to the Revs Institute cars and coffee in November when I pull up in my Miata. Nothing like keeping people guessing.
The one thing that would truly entice me into becoming a member is a setting that would enable me to turn off auto-play videos. I don’t mind seeing adds. I just really hate the distraction of videos automatically running while I’m trying to read (even when it’s the cool Autopian videos).
One of my ad blockers blocks them. Which is good, when I hit the site without it I was not happy. (Signed, paying member)
What add blocker do you use?
On iPhone I use privacy pro, which users the vpn function but isn’t a true vpn. I also have used StoptheMadness which seems pretty good but I haven’t used it much.
On desktop I use Ghostery.
It’d be cool if members got some kind of small badge in the comment section, too.
I might be the only one here who wants the Karma shirts. Gotta love oddball car brands.
I think it’s pretty cool that they are packaged up with a blurb thanking people for being at the event. It’s a nice touch.
And, yeah, there’s something fun about merch from a brand that a lot of people don’t even know existed.
Awesome and it needs cat approval. After all you are their servant.
Man I need a Bottas blanket. My son would lose his mind.
And wow, that cat. That’s a good cat. 10/10 would pet.
Somehow Australia let me import a vial of David’s Jeep rust. Does that count as additional mileage for the sacrificial Jeep?
Looks like all will come with a sprinkle of Nutmeg!
RAM DT? I didn’t know you made a truck, David
Sun hats for the win
Nutmeg the cat should make short work of any unwanted budgies.
Ahem.
YAY, KITTY!!!
Thank you.
Pretty sure the Bronco bag is a portable hammock they sent out to anyone who had a pre-order in as an apology for production delays. As much as I had no intention of buying a whole Bronco, I might’ve sprung for that if they’d offered it with their normal merch, but seems to be swag-only.
Ooh, that wouldn’t be bad merch to get.
Ooh, that toy VW would be awesome, and I’m curious what the tarp thing is.
There is absolutely some cool swag here and I would probably be happy to get anything. Even a speedo. Especially a speedo?
Duss I get Kittennssses? (fun fact, Cats and steam engines are closely related to one another)
Hey became member but can’t get notifications and reply on the almost 100 comments I made.
SEND ME A KITTY :SOB:
So this is like Sirius radio where you need to quit and then re-join to get the deal?
You should send random stuff to random existing members once in a while to say thanks.
I think they do, I believe the Random Number-Mo-Tron in Torch’s basement picks out some member numbers for that kind of thing. I’m still not 100% sure if I have all the swag I’m due for (Vinyl) but, eh.
Correct. It’s not just new members, it’s all members!
Whoohoo!
Does it include Canadian members? Just got a shipment notification and now I’m even more eager to find out what is coming my way.
Me too on the shipping notification. What a really nice surprise!
I just got a second shipment notification so I’m assuming I’m getting some random swag. Excited but also a little worried to find out what I got.
Nutmeg!!!! >^. .^<
Pretty sure I’m a speedo member…
*waiting for my rimshot*
What is that, one of the non-US membership, uh, packages?
Don’t mind the used sweatshirt but Suburu? Actually a very good incentive for membership. I joined despite just dropping almost $4,000 on a rebuilt motor. But hey the $600 core refund might cover installation. Right? Maybe? Possibly? Please tell me it might.
Ooooo. Lamborghini sun hat would make a great autocross hat.
Are the speedos unused?
God I hope so.
I don’t know it might be nice to have the pocket stretched enough to almost fit. ????
I get where you’re coming from, but I prefer to do my own stretching.
I’d want an affidavit from a Jeep kitty to that effect!
She’ll sign it.
At least one set will have spaghetti stains.