Q&A: Heavy metal

Die-cast replicas continue to lead all categories of NASCAR collectibles. Consequently, about 90 percent of the questions we receive pertain to these miniature masterpieces.

Here are responses to a few questions about your favorite die-casts:

Q: I have a two-car set of a Stroh's and Stroh's Light cars that Mark (Martin)drove around the late 1980s. They are numbered, excellent condition? Any value? -- T. Jones

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A: There were 15,000 of these set produced in 1993. In mint condition, the current collectible value is probably $40-50.

Q: My husband has a pink "K-2 Dayvault's Tune Up & Brake Serv." car that I think is Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s. It's made by Action and it's a 1:24. I do not see a date of manufacturing on it. Do you know the value? He also has a 2003 Chicago All-Star Game Dale Jr car, also Action. This one is signed. Dale Jr. was at the Anheuser-Busch plant and signed it for him. Do you know the value of that one as well? -- Tricia

A: In answer to one of the most-asked questions, the solid color K-2 has a collectible value of $75-100. The one with the dark roof is worth $100-125. With the signature, the Dale Jr. All-Star Game car is likely worth around $100-120.

Q: I have a Dale Earnhartd crash car. It is the one made before his death. The car is now available thru RCCA. What is the difference in value? -- NASCAR6850

A: The original crash car has a collectible value of $600-800, although they are selling for a lot less on eBay -- around $300-400 tops -- perhaps due to the new RCCA car. Pre-sales on the new RCCA piece have been under running $125-150 on eBay.

Q: I have a Dale Earnhardt silver die-cast 1:24 scale car in mint condition. It is made by Action. Can you tell me how much it's worth? -- Aglana

A: It depends on which one you have. This car has been re-released in differing variations in recent years. Since you didn't specify the date of its release, I'll give you the values for the original silver cars released in 1995. There were four versions released that year two had "GM Parts" on the hood. One of those had red wheels, the other black. They have a collectible value of $400-600. The other versions didn't have the "Parts" decal, and came in both red and black wheeled variations. They are worth $600-800.

Q: I`ve got 1:24 scale Tony Stewart rookie car made by Action and bought at the Home Depot . I also have two 1:64 scale cars made by Winners Circle. One car is orange and white with trading card, the other is a white and orange rookie car with Habitat for Humanity on the hood. It came with a scale replica hood. How much are they worth? -- Brad Cullen

A: The 1:24 scale car that sold at Home Depot is likely now worth $100-125 in terms of collectibility. The standard paint scheme 1:64 is worth $15-20. The Habitatat "Hood Series" piece is worth $10-15.

Q: I have a 1:64 scale 1993 silver Dale Earnhardt 25th Anniversary limited edition car by Hasbro/Winners Circle. It is a 1993 Chevy Lumina. It's all silver and still in original pack. Can you tell me what it is worth? -- George

A: This car is part of a seven car "Silver Series" that replicated the cars Earnhardt drove to each championship. Its value is $35-40. Some people sometimes confuse these cars as the much-heralded 1995 silver car, but this is a separate series.

Q: I have a three year old who is so excited when it comes to NASCAR racing. He wants to collect the NASCAR race cars yet his mom is not too thrilled about forking over huge amounts of cash to do this. How can I purchase the Hot Wheels NASCAR toys for him? I'm not looking for the true collectors quality that one would find on eBay -- just the less expensive kind (sold at a local toy store? ). The only place I've had success in getting a real NASCAR Hot Wheels car is in a cereal box. Any suggestions would be appreciated. -- K. Heurtevant

A: Your best bet for these type cars is mass retailers like Kmart, Target and WalMart.

Q: With the re-issue in the Action/RCCA line of Dale Earnhardt pieces that were made in the 1990's titled The Historical Series / Club Cars, will the value decrease for original pieces ( Peter Max, Wheaties etc) decrease or increase? Also will the newer pieces ever increase in value (RCCA Club Cars) even though the production numbers are low, and are now sold out? -- Christopher Zetzsche

A: The originals will always be worth more, especially to the serious, die-hard collectors. The casual collectors will lean toward the re-releases. In the big picture of the secondary market, the value of the originals will suffer somewhat simply because there is more product in the market. How much those values will be affected remains to be seen. The new pieces will increase in value, but probably not nearly as fast as the originals did.

Q: Since Jeff Burton will not run the Justice League car, would that car be a good collecters item? -- Vebergren

A: All of the Justice League cars are great collectibles. But don't expect the Burton car to be worth a lot more than the others. It may be worth a little more, but not much.

Q: Being an Earnhardt fan, that is 90 percent of the collectibles I own, both Junior and the Intimidator. Having read your advice for the last nine months that we have been on the internet, I had a few questions to ask 1) What is the most value that you have given to an item, and what is that item? 2) What items have the least value? 3) In the next five years is there a driver or car number that you would collect now?-- Ernie (PS: Thank you for answering the Revell question a few months ago.)

A: Three excellent questions. The highest value I ever assigned to a die-cast was around $2000 for a 1998 Action Dale Earnhardt Bass Pro 24K Gold car of which there were only 100 made. That was a few years back, and the value has dropped a little, probably $1500-1800 now.

As far as other collectibles in general go, the highest appraisal I can remember giving was about $10K for a race-used Dale Earnhardt firesuit. I know of one that sold for $12.5K. Probably the items that have the least value are the mass produced novelty items. Trinkets that sell for under $5, for example. As far as drivers to collect over the next five years, that's a tough one. This is such an "iffy" business at times.

Of course, Junior is going to be strong for the duration. I don't see anyone knocking him off the collectibles throne for as long as he races and stays healthy. Jeff Gordon will always be strong. Love him or hate him, the Tony Stewart mystique will keep him in the thick of it. I think Kasey Kahne's prominence in the market this year will continue long term; folks really like him and he races hard and clean.

Several other young guys are pretty strong in the market already and could have a collectibility break-through year at any time: Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler, Jamie McMurray, Martin Truex Jr...

But the most important thing to remember is to buy collectibles because you like them, rather than an investment-lest you be wrong more times than right. If they do appreciate in value, it's just icing on the cake.