What Car? Christmas gift guide - Things to build

Lego
From www.lego.com
Price From £3.99
Basic kits like this police car – complete with speed camera - are great to put together among the remnants of Christmas crackers and uneaten turkey at the table.

Lego
From www.lego.com
Price From £100
As prices go up, so do the details. The more complicated Ferraris such as the F40 and F1 models have working cylinders in the engine bay, while the crane has stabilising legs, torque-slip winches and an extendable boom.

Meccano From www.mailorderexpress.com Price £5.99 to £64.99 If you want to get busy with screwdrivers and wrenches, Meccano is the answer. There is a wide variety of kits, with these simple toys ideal for the really young or over-inebriated.

Meccano
From www.mailorderexpress.com
Price Up to £64.99
More complex Meccano kits include packs that can make up to 50 different models – don’t try them all in one day - and even remote-control models such as this truck.

Ravensburger Puzzle 3-in-a-Box jigsaws, Cars Good Friends From www.jigsaw-puzzles-online.co.uk Price £3.99 Children love putting together these 3-in-a-Box jigsaws (each with different numbers of pieces), while parents love them because they’re good value for money.

Tamiya, Rover Mini Cooper 1.3i, Scale: 1/12
From www.modelsforsale.com
Price £42.74
Ahhh, when was the last time you lay out some old newspaper and glued yourself to some small pieces of plastic? Don’t forget to include all the bits and bobs your loved one will need to finish this classic kit off, such as paints and brushes. If your budget’s tighter, there are hundreds of cheaper kits to choose from.

Citadel Puzzles, British Classic Cars From www.jigsaw-puzzles-online.co.uk Price £11.99 With 1000 pieces you’ll get to know your British classics… after you've pulled your hair out.

Tamiya, Manta Ray 4wd, Scale: 1/10
www.modelsport.co.uk
From £69.00
You can buy ready-made remote control cars if you want to get going straightaway, but this battery-powered car won’t take too long to assemble and makes for a fun afternoon of construction. Don’t forget the controller or battery, though.

Caterham From www.caterham.co.uk Price £12,995 If scale models just aren’t a big enough challenge, get a proper car. Caterham self-build kits cost from £12,995 for a 105bhp Classic, up to £26,995 for a 210bhp R400. Just don’t expect to get it finished in time for a Boxing Day blast.