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:

Q: I collect replica pace cars from all track and all forms of racing. However, I am having a hard time finding the large scale die-casts. Do you have any suggestions that might make my search easier?-Bob.

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A: Pace car replicas are a bit hard to track down because their production is somewhat sporadic. Even then, most are replicated in 1:64 scale. Your best bet is to check eBay on a regular basis and search the internet. You might also want to contact the gift shops at individual speedways. Pace car die-casts have never been huge sellers, so they may have some in stock.

Q: I have a Dale Jr. Bud die-cast from 1999 on right quarter panel there is the Budweiser decal. On the left quarter panel does not. What can you tell me about this car and how many were made. The die-cast was made by Action.--John

A: There is absolutely no way to determine how many cars were affected by this error. With thousands of cars being produced daily, mechanical failures are bound to happen. Yours could be the only car with this error, or there could be many more. At any rate, the error does not add to the value. If anything, it detracts a bit. Assuming this is a 1:24 scale car, the value would fall in the $100-125 range.

Q: I have the 1991 "We Support Our Troops" car set from the Daytona 500. Can you give me an estimate?--B Stevens

A: This is the original special paint scheme promotion as we know it today. Participating drivers and the branch of Armed Services they represented were: No. 24 Mickey Gibbs/Air Force, No. 18 Greg Sacks/Navy, No. 7 Alan Kulwicki/Army, No. 88 Buddy Baker/Marines, and No. 71 Dave Marcis/Coast Guard. R. J. Reynolds paid those five unsponsored drivers to run those military colors. Racing Champions produced this 1:64 scale five-car set. I've seen them sell on eBay for $20 and under. Personally, I think this is a neat set, and one you seldom see anymore. I'd place the collectible value at $50-65.

Q: I have a 1997 Dale Earnhardt Wheaties car made by Action. The car is die-cast and the chassis is plastic. Hood and trunk do not open. What can you tell me about this die-cast.-John

A: Again, no scale designated so I'm assuming it's a 1:24. This is one of the lesser expensive models, probably worth $75-125.

Q: Could you give me an estimated of the "Salute to Petty" series of Hot Wheels 1:64 cars that came out in General Mills cereal this year? The set consists of ten cars.--Jimbo

A: The most novel thing about these cars is that they were only available from the General Mills products. They are worth $6-10 each, depending on how serious a collector you are.

Q: We have a Dale Jr. 1998 AC Delco 1:24 scale Busch Series championship car in mint condition. Can you please tell us the value of this car?-Tom

A: The championship car should have a collectible value of around $100, give or take $25.

Q: I have a 1998 Monte Carlo Limited Edition 1:24 scale stock car. It's a NASCAR 50th Anniversary Special Edition and is a Bass Pro Shops and Goodwrench Service Plus model. It's still in the original box and is like new. Any idea of its value?--Neil Kendrick

A: Assuming this is the ARC car and not the RCCA Elite, the value is likely $100-150 for the standard car, and $75-100 for the black window promo.

Q: I just picked up a 1:18 scale No. 94 Bill Elliott McDonalds T-Bird. It's an Ertl American Muscle. The date on the back of the box is Ford Motor Co 1995. Is this a 1996 car or a 1995 car? Reese's is a sponser on the rear deck lid. A die-cast magazine has value at $210. Is this close? The box has never been opened, and in excellent condition, looks like right out of the case.-Christopher

A: It's a 1995 model, although Ertl did make a similar Elliott car in 1996. You can find this car for under $50 fairly easily, so I'd place the collectible value at $50-60 at best.

Q: I have mailed in a few times about certain die-casts and got appraisals and I thank you. I have a 1:64 scale 25th Anniversary '57 Chevy. It is silver with red GM Goodwrench graphics and has the Winston Cup 25th anniversary logo on the top of the trunk. The car was made by Hasbro in 1999. What is it worth?--R.Blaney

A: That car is part of the Winner's Circle Cool Customs series. It's worth $20-25 in terms of collectibility.

Q: How long have NASCAR die-cast cars been made? I know of 1953 Hudsons being made now, but what about others. What about the Chryslers 300 and Dodge D 500s, raced by Mercury Marine in the mid-50s. How about the Earnhardt S-3 Laguna of the mid-70s or Bobby Allison's Matador No. 16 from the mid-70s? For cars not made, never made and probably never to be made is there any body that scratch builds cars, like is done in model railroading?-Drew Duff

A: Ertl and Hot Wheels produced a few NASCAR die-casts in the 1980s. They were done sporadically and not as part of any ongoing series. It wasn't until Racing Champions launched its six car "flat bottom" series in 1989 that NASCAR die-casts were offered as part of a yearly series.

Team Caliber released the Hudson Hornet and Chrysler 300 last year. Action released the No. 30 and No. 77 Earnhardt Chevrolet Lagunas several years ago. Nobody has replicated the Allison Matador in die-cast, although plastic model kits have been done. There are people who build die-casts from scratch by stripping the paint off an existing die-cast, repainting it, and re-decaling it. However, those folks are flirting heavily with trademark infringement, as they are creating what is technically known as a "derivative collectible." That's when a licensed collectible is used to create an unlicensed collectible.