Work in this business long enough, and you’re likely to pick up some swag. While it’s usually bestowed by carmakers or event hosts, there are occasions when we actually purchase keepsakes. I unearthed the following from my own personal haberdashery.
Bonneville Salt Flats 200-MPH Club T-Shirt
Whizzing at 244 mph across the Bonneville Salt Flats in a 1986 Mazda RX-7 Turbo is my highest speed achievement, worthy of a record that still stands and granting me admission to an exclusive club.
Mojave Mile 200-MPH Club T-Shirt
In 2012, a 201.7-mph blast down the one-mile Mojave, California, runway in a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport earned my second membership in an elite speed club.
Car and Driver Hooded Parka
Our early-1980s fashion statement was this versatile hooded jacket.
Concours d’Lemons T-Shirt
Beyond participation in the ill-advised LeMons road-racing series, C/D folks enjoy visiting the bizarre Concours d’LeMons held each year during Pebble Beach week.
Oldsmobile Cotton Sweater
Established in 1897, Oldsmobile was the first American brand to celebrate its centennial. Though the rocket fizzled in 2004, this fine cotton sweater is still quite presentable.
Auto Union Commemorative T-Shirts
Treatment for my Bernd Rosemeyer and Auto Union obsessions has thus far proved ineffective.
Auto Union Jacket
This was my best ever Christmas present, perfect for late-fall or early-spring wear. Wife Cheryl made sure the four Auto Union rings (Audi, Horch, DKW, Wanderer) were perfectly replicated. While I would have preferred the front stitching read “Bernd,” “Don” will suffice.
Lamborghini T-Shirt
For obvious reasons, I call this my bull shirt.
Car and Driver Denim Jacket
In the 1970s, Car and Driver’s official livery was this nicely tailored Levi’s denim jacket.
Maserati Football Jersey
Wilbur Shaw won the 1939 and ’40 Indianapolis 500s at the wheel of an ex-F1 Maserati 8CTF. This comfy jersey was issued to deserving scribes to commemorate the first win’s 70th anniversary.
Dodge/Plymouth Neon T-Shirt
My 1996 Neon Challenge race in Detroit was treacherous due to the use of shaved tires on a rain-soaked track. While I did beat Bob Lutz, I finished miles behind the winner—F1 driver Desiré Wilson.
Kitty Gang T-Shirt
While I admit to being a cat fancier, this tee signifies my former role as part owner of the Hell Kitty LeMons racing team.
Pikes Peak Hill Climb T-Shirt
Long before paving irrevocably changed the world’s most famous hill climb, Chevrolet helped sponsor Pikes Peak; hence this souvenir.
Bonneville Salt Flats World Finals 2004 T-Shirt
In 2005 and ’06, as GM’s test pilot at the wheel of the Ecotec Lakester on the Bonneville Salt Flats, I earned a (short-lived) 189-mph record, with one pass topping 200 mph.
Sherman Tank T-Shirt
Proud members of the Sherman clan don this official uniform every May 8 to celebrate V-E Day.
Tesla Team Car and Driver T-Shirt
Tesla Model S owner Fred Glomb created this celebratory shirt in anticipation of his team’s victory in Car and Driver’s 2014 cross-country race between a Tesla Model S and a Ford Model T.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Commemorative Launch Jacket
Lucky souls attending the 1989 launch of the 1990 Corvette ZR-1 in France were presented with this elegant leather jacket. Chevrolet and Goodyear logos are discreetly stitched into the lining.
Don’s Driving School T-Shirt
My loving wife, Cheryl, found humor in this birthday present. I plead the Fifth.
Chevrolet Corvette 60th-Anniversary T-Shirt
Chevy toasted the Corvette’s 60th birthday and the current Stingray’s arrival with memorable events in 2013 at Pebble Beach and Mazda Raceway.
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