Dad Types #22 Gearhead Dad

A gearhead dad is the kind of guy who can smell bad spark plugs, tell you your tire pressure by ear, and insists his car “just runs better” after he’s washed it. He lives for grease-stained weekends, engine revs, and talking horsepower like it’s a second language. Whether it’s wrenching in the garage or cruising with the windows down and the volume up, he’s happiest around chrome, tools, and anything that burns fuel.

Symptoms: 

1. The garage is cleaner than the kitchen — and smells like oil, not air freshener.

2. Has more socket wrenches than socks — and knows exactly where each one is.

3. Talks about horsepower like it’s a love language — “350 horses under the hood, baby.”

4. Can identify a car by the sound of its engine… from a mile away.

5. Keeps at least one project car that’s “almost done” — for the last 12 years.

6. Washes his car every Sunday like it’s a ritual — rain in the forecast be damned.

7. Owns at least one shirt, hat, or sticker with a pun about torque.

8. Still brags about his first car like it was a Ferrari — even if it was a rusty ‘82 Camaro.

9. Manual ONLY

Words to live by:

“Real cars don’t drive themselves”

His hobbies include: 

1. Wrenching on Something With an Engine 🔧

2. Buffing His Ride

3. Talking About Wrenching or Buffing with other Gearheads

His ideal gift would be: 

• A Ferrari drive day