Father’s Day is perfect chance to indulge your favorite car guy

Getting a late start snapping up a Father’s Day gift? Here are a few suggestions ranging from mild, practical to slightly wild for your favorite driver dad.

Roping kinetic energy

Drivers who venture off the beaten path and get in a jam will appreciate a kinetic recovery rope. Treaty Oak Offroad’s American-made line utilizes technology from the maritime industry, where similar ropes are used on tugboats. The kinetic rope stretches, allowing the recovery vehicle to use a running start and harness the kinetic energy built up in the rope. An added benefit, says Treaty Oak Offroad’s Kyle Fogle, is that there’s less chance of damage to either vehicle. The ropes, which are made in Houston, come in various sizes. A 20-foot, 7/8-inch diameter rope runs $125. https://www.treatyoakoffroad.com/

Video doesn’t lie

Think dash cams are a luxury? You may shift your thinking the next time a clueless (or just plain reckless) driver or pedestrian charges into your lane, and tells authorities it was all your fault. The Nextbase 212 Lite can provide the proof. It’s a nifty, basic dashcam that’s light, compact, yet has straightforward, accessible controls. We loved the clever magnetic mount. By default, the 212 Lite shoots 1080p video in 3-minute clips, making organization and retrieval easy. $80 at Amazon.

Mini turns 60

The value and entertainment from Giles Chapman’s new hardcover book, Mini 60 Years aren’t just from the dissection of this tiny British classic, the miniscule car’s hard points or budget-driven solutions and compromises. Chapman delivers an under-the-hood look at the post-war British Motor Corporation as well as the father of the Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis. It’s a fast read that spans two...