Journal: What’s Your Favorite Driving Accessory?

What’s Your Favorite Driving Accessory?

By Michael Banovsky
December 28, 2015

I, like most of you, have covered a huge number of miles behind the wheel, beside the wheel, and in the back seat of a variety of vehicles. From desert racing Hummers to clapped-out rental karts, from museum-quality Porsches to rear-engined Tatras…it’s been fun.

Just not the Peel P50: that one’s pretty awful.

No matter what I’m driving, however, one thing is always in the car: my Persol PO9649 sunglasses. Yes, they’re expensive and could drop off my face at any moment. Yes, there are probably better sunglasses for driving out there. But as the acetate frame weathers over years of use, I’ve been leaving their earned, faded, wabi-sabi-like qualities intact. They’re worn-in sunglasses, if that’s even possible.

I spend long hours in front of the computer, so protecting my eyes will hopefully pay off later on in life. But over years of driving, I can say that sunglasses have been that one item I can’t leave home without.

What must be in your car before you hit the road?

Image source: Petrolicious Gift Guide

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Simon
Simon
7 years ago

Mine are my clip on polarized lens for my specs a long sleeved shirt rolled up or my leather aviator jacket in the winter and finally my wireless speaker with some period correct songs. ( I dump the speaker under the passenger’s seat to keep it looking nice and it can’t find it’s way under the pedals. 🙂 )

Marie
Marie
7 years ago

My leather driving gloves. A soft beige cream colour. Definitely.

Kiwiboy105
Kiwiboy105
8 years ago

My tan leather driving gloves (Dents of England), Quicksilver sunglasses and driving cap – looks the part even though get some funny looks here in Queensland driving my Alfa 105 coupe!

Matt Duquette
Matt Duquette
8 years ago

my Polorized Black Ray-Ban Wayfarers not the greatest driving glasses but the most comfortable for me

Hayden
Hayden
8 years ago

I am a sunglass whore… I have a pair of Oliver Peoples sunglasses I can’t even leave the house without.

Gary Groce
Gary Groce
8 years ago

Two Items for me. My Vintage 1971 Tudor “Monte Carlo/ Home Plate”Chronograph and my dads old RayBan aviators he brought home from New Guinea in 1945.

RoverMike
RoverMike
8 years ago

My must-have sunglasses is a pair of classic Vaurent Cateyes. They have survived many hazardous ski trips and other outings. Dark, rugged and comfortable, all the attributes that I wish I possessed. These glasses have always provided me with the much needed protection and comfort when speeding about in any vehicle or situation.

Landroving
Landroving
8 years ago

I own too many pairs of sunglasses that I acquired in the search for ” just the right pair” but in the end. it’s my old Ray Ban aviators that are my go to. They date from the late 80’s when Ray Ban were made in the USA, they are light and comfortable and the style is timeless.

Otávio Tucunduva Mattana
Otávio Tucunduva Mattana
8 years ago

My carrera sunglasses, and leather gloves in the winter. Matches my beloved alfa

Andre Sousa
Andre Sousa
8 years ago

For me the must-have accessory are my sunglasses too. Mostly because my eyes are sensitive to sunlight.

Saud Qureshi
Saud Qureshi
8 years ago

Sunglasses as well! Preferably polarized!

Mitko Tenov
Mitko Tenov
8 years ago

What i need for the slippery wooden steering wheel of my Alfetta are OMP Tazio driving gloves. They improve the grip in corners and when parking.

bastounesox
bastounesox
8 years ago

Savez vous quelle est le modèle et la marque des gants bleus sur l’une des photo ?

Pieter Ameye
Pieter Ameye
8 years ago
Reply to  bastounesox
Karl Hanson
Karl Hanson
8 years ago

This

Linda N Brian Schick
Linda N Brian Schick
8 years ago

My Porsche design sun glasses and my 40 year old pair of Pierre Cardin driving gloves.

Paul Bilek
Paul Bilek
8 years ago

You can NOT beat a beautiful analog watch while driving. I will take a well crafted timepiece with me anyway over any new “Smart Watch”.

mtitro
mtitro
8 years ago

My fetish item is a bit special. Growing up my parents didn’t have a car, the only time I got to be in one was when I visited my grand-father. He had a cheap tartan wool blanket on the rear seat beside me. I have associated this item with my dear memories of road trips and since then I can’t go anywhere without a tartan blanket in the car.

Can Eyilik
Can Eyilik
8 years ago

I must have my BMW Motorsport Jacket

Daniel Silva
Daniel Silva
8 years ago

Arnette sunglasses. Sun in my face, music on, and my Alfa steering wheel in my hands.. So good…

Flaviator
Flaviator
8 years ago

it´s my gloves. I have a pair of them in every car, suiting the upholstery. I can not drive without them, the wheel does not feel without them. Even have a universal pair in the wardrobe, in case I have to drive my wifes VW or other.

Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago

Any of my classic Persols . Got a jones for those things and have several styles and lenses to choose from depending on the weather . Heck .. I’m always wearing them … even when a passenger …. except when performance is mandated .. in which case I switch to one of the two pairs of Maui Jims in the collection … and on the odd day when nostalgia for the 60’s overwhelms me ? The pair of classic Ray Ban wayfarers despite the Evil Empire that now owns the company . But 99\% of the time .. its the Persols .. hands down

Robbie Herrera
Robbie Herrera
8 years ago

Definitely my Ray-Ban Aviators. I’ve had nicer-looking designer sunglasses but always default to the Ray-Bans because they seem to have the better lenses. If I’m out driving with friends then I do wear my driving shoes and when I had my MG-TD, I never left home without my gloves. Still miss that car :-(.

Sid
Sid
8 years ago
Reply to  Robbie Herrera

I second the Ray-Ban Aviators. Secondly would be classic low-top Chuck Talyors. I have had a lot of “driving” shoes but I don’t like any of them as much as my Chucks.

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