A car mug is a simple way to bring motoring into the morning brew, and a gift that gets used every day. Ours come from Sipfull of Design, with retro garage signs, classic motor oil cans, Route 66 road trip artwork and the Monaco 30's Grand Prix travel mug, as standard mugs or insulated travel mugs. Every design below is in our mugs and cups range.
Which car mugs do we stock?
The range splits into three groups: garage and oil can designs, Route 66 designs and travel mugs.
Garage and motor oil designs
Dad's Garage Mug (auto repair sign)
A vintage auto repair garage sign, a favourite for mechanic dads.
Dad's Garage Mug (workshop slogan)
A vintage mechanic workshop slogan design.
Custom car artwork for hot rod fans.
Vintage Americana oil can artwork.
Another vintage Americana motor oil design.
Styled like an old penetrating oil tin.
Route 66 designs
US highway signs and licence plates.
A vintage biker design.
A biker road trip design.
Insulated travel mugs
The travel mugs are double walled with a secure lid in black or white, so a drink stays warm on the way to work or in a cold garage.
Monaco 30's Grand Prix Travel Mug
A vintage racing poster design from the early days of the Monaco race.
Retro motoring oil treatment artwork.
The garage design in a travel mug.
A retro biker design.
Car mugs compared
| Mug | Style | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monaco Grand Prix | Vintage racing poster | Insulated travel mug | Motorsport fans |
| Retro Route 66 | US road signs and plates | Standard mug | Road trip lovers |
| Dad's Garage | Garage sign | Standard mug | Home mechanics |
| RPM Motor Oil | Oil can artwork | Standard mug | Classic car fans |
Which size and material should you choose?
The standard designs come with a choice of options. The Retro Route 66 mug, for example, is offered in 10oz, 11oz, 12oz latte, 15oz and 20oz sizes and as a travel mug, in ceramic, polymer or bone china, with several handle and inside colours. It is microwave safe and dishwasher safe for up to 800 wash cycles at 45C. Check the options on each product page, as they vary by design.
- Ceramic: the classic everyday mug for the kitchen or office.
- Bone china: thinner and lighter in the hand, for someone who likes a finer cup.
- Polymer: a tougher choice for a garage or workshop bench, where a mug is more likely to get knocked.
- Size: 10oz to 11oz suits a normal cup of tea, while 15oz or 20oz is for big brews and long sessions in the garage.
How do you choose a mug for a car lover?
Think about where they will drink from it and which part of the car scene they follow, then pick the size.
- Think about where they drink: a standard mug for home, a travel mug for the commute or a cold garage.
- Match their scene: Grand Prix and racing for motorsport fans, oil cans and garage signs for classic car and hot rod fans, Route 66 for American cars and bikes.
- Pick the size: go bigger for anyone who spends hours in the workshop.
- Add a second small gift: a mug pairs well with a lanyard, a poster or a keyring for a bigger present.
Which mug suits a garage or workshop?
A garage is hard on a mug: it gets knocked off benches, left in the cold and picked up with oily hands. A travel mug with a lid keeps dust out and holds the heat for longer, and a polymer mug copes better with knocks than ceramic. Keep a garage mug separate from the kitchen ones, so it never matters if it gets marked.
Why are retro motoring designs so popular?
Old garage signs, oil cans and racing posters were made to be seen from across a forecourt or a grandstand, so the bold lettering and colours still work on a mug today. They suit anyone who loves classic cars, old petrol stations or American road culture, and they look at home on a workshop shelf.
What goes well with a car mug as a gift?
Pair it with something from the same world: a Grand Prix travel mug with a racing poster, a garage mug with a hoodie, or a Route 66 mug with a lanyard. A few small things together make a bigger present without a bigger box.
How do you look after a printed mug?
A dishwasher-safe print is tough, but a gentle hand wash still keeps the colours brightest for longest. Avoid scouring pads on the print, and do not leave a mug full of oily rags or solvents on the workshop bench, as that is what marks it, not the tea.
Common questions
Do you have a Grand Prix mug?
Yes. The Monaco 30's Grand Prix Travel Mug carries a vintage Monaco Grand Prix poster design and keeps drinks warm with a double wall and lid.
Can a printed mug go in the microwave?
The Retro Route 66 mug is microwave safe. The travel mugs are made to be hand washed and kept out of the microwave, so check the care note on each product page first.
Are car mugs a good Christmas present?
Yes, for almost anyone into cars or motorbikes. They are practical and personal, and our guide to gifts for car lovers has more ideas at different budgets.
Can the mugs go in the dishwasher?
The Retro Route 66 mug is dishwasher safe for up to 800 wash cycles at 45C. The travel mugs are best washed by hand, as their care notes say.
Need help choosing?
Ask our team for a hand picking a mug, or browse our gifts for car enthusiasts for more ideas. For a bigger present, our guides to car care gifts and stocking fillers have plenty to pair with it.
