One of the best gifts for car lovers is a blueprint print of a car they own, used to own or dream about. Pick by era or by the exact model, choose A3 (29.7 x 42 cm) for a study or 50 x 70 cm for a garage or living room, and frame it in light wood or black.
Why do blueprint prints make good gifts for car lovers?
Most car gifts are either expensive or a bit naff. A model kit sits in a box, a mug gets chipped, and anything with a big logo on it tends to end up in the garage. A blueprint print is different in a useful way: it shows the car as a set of technical drawings, side, top, front and rear, in fine white lines on a deep blue background. Car people love the detail. Everyone else in the house sees a smart, graphic print that goes with the sofa.
Blueprints also suit almost every room. I've seen them work in a hallway, above a desk and on a garage wall, because the colour palette is so simple. If you want the background on why they're blue at all, I've covered that in why blueprints are blue.
How do I choose the right car blueprint?
There are two good ways in. Pick the one that matches how well you know the person.
Choose by the car they drive or dream of
This is the most personal route. Think about:
- The car they drive now and are proud of.
- Their first car, or the one they still talk about selling.
- The poster car from when they were a teenager.
- The car they say they'll buy when they retire.
If you're not sure, ask a sideways question over dinner: what was the best car you ever owned? You'll usually get a long answer and a model name.
Choose by era
If you don't know a specific model, go by the period they love. Here's a quick guide using blueprints from the Spade22 range.
| If they love... | Try this blueprint | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Post-war American design | 1948 Tucker 48 sedan | A rare, rounded 1940s shape with a lot of drawing detail |
| 1960s sports cars | 1967 2000GT coupe | Long bonnet and low roof, a beautiful profile on paper |
| Japanese classics | 1970 Fairlady Z (240Z) | A favourite with people who grew up on car magazines |
| 1970s European saloons | 1974 2002 Turbo coupe | Boxy, purposeful lines that look great in a black frame |
| Anything British and big | Routemaster bus | A fun alternative for someone who loves all vehicles |
Modern cars are in the range too, from current supercars to everyday performance saloons. If the person drives something recent, search the shop for the model name and check the drawing matches their version.
What about classic and modern car posters that aren't blueprints?
Some car lovers want colour. Retro-style posters with a single side view and big lettering are bolder than a blueprint and suit a games room or a garage. The 1948 356 Legend poster on deep red with a cream car is a good example. For someone who loves engines in general, the Flying Scotsman locomotive blueprint is a lovely sideways choice.
Which frame should a car blueprint gift have?
The frame decides where the print can hang, so think about the room it's likely to go in.
- Light wood frame: softens the blue and suits a living room, hallway or bedroom. This is my default for a gift because it fits most homes.
- Black frame: crisp and a bit more serious. Good in a study, home office or a dark-painted room.
- White frame: makes the blue look brighter and fresher. Nice against pale grey or white walls.
- Dark wood frame: warmer and more traditional. Works with leather chairs and older furniture.
Many Spade22 prints come framed in black, white, wood or dark wood, so you can give it ready to hang. A white mount around the blueprint adds breathing space and makes even an A3 print look more expensive.
What size car print should I buy?
Size depends on where it will go. Blueprints have a lot of fine detail and text, so they reward a bit of size.
- A4 (21 x 29.7 cm): desk or shelf, leaning. Fine detail gets small, so this is best for a print that sits close to the viewer.
- A3 (29.7 x 42 cm): study wall or hallway. The safest gift size.
- 50 x 70 cm: above a desk, a sofa (as a pair) or on a garage wall. Big enough to read the drawings from across a room.
- 60 x 90 cm: a statement for a games room or a large open-plan space.
Two blueprints side by side make a very good pair: their current car and their dream car, or two cars from the same decade. Keep both in the same frame colour and size, with a gap of about 5 to 8 cm between them. For more on picking and placing them, see classic car blueprints: choosing one for the garage, hallway or study.
Where will a car blueprint look best once it's unwrapped?
It helps to picture the wall before you buy, because that tells you the size and frame. These are the spots I see car prints end up most often.
The hallway
A hallway is a good home for a blueprint because people walk past it slowly and get a close look at the detail. Hang an A3 or 30 x 40 cm print with its centre at about 145 to 150 cm from the floor. In a narrow hallway, keep the frame slim so it doesn't catch shoulders.
The study or home office
Above a desk, a 50 x 70 cm print or a pair of A3 prints fills the space nicely. Leave 15 to 25 cm between the top of the desk and the bottom of the frame. Black or dark wood frames look smart here.
The garage or workshop
Garages get cold and damp in a British winter, so a print behind glass in a sealed frame is the better choice, and it's worth hanging it away from the door. A bigger size, 50 x 70 cm or 60 x 90 cm, reads well from across the space.
Shop the look
Browse more ready-to-hang options in the framed prints collection or the full posters and prints range. Prints start at £9.99.
Quick answers
What do you buy a car lover who has everything?
A framed blueprint print of a car that means something to them. It's personal, it doesn't add clutter, and it looks good in most rooms.
Are car blueprints only for garages and man caves?
No. In a light wood or white frame, a blueprint looks at home in a living room, hallway or study. The blue and white palette works with most interiors.
What size blueprint print is best as a gift?
A3 is the safest choice because it fits most walls. Go up to 50 x 70 cm if you know they have a garage, office or large wall waiting.
Should I choose a classic or a modern car?
Choose the car they talk about most. Classic cars suit people who love design history, while a blueprint of the car on their drive feels more personal.
Can I give two car prints as a set?
Yes. A matching pair, such as their first car and their dream car, in the same size and frame colour makes a thoughtful set.
