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 have a 1:24 scale Action Elite collectable. It is a 2002 Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 3 OREO/RITZ Monte Carlo. It is marked as being "1 of 8,988" and the car is No. 2573. Could you tell me the probable value of this car? -- E. J.

A: A good solid collectible here. I'd place the value in the $120-150 range for a car in mint condition.

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Q: Since mid-March of this year, I've been buying lots of Action Racing Collectibles 1:24 scale NASCAR Nextel Cup race cars (and only a hand full of Busch Series race cars). After seeing how great my first two looked - Jeff Gordon/DuPont and Dale Jr/Budweiser, I just went crazy and started buying a bunch of other ARC 1:24 scale race cars of various drivers and sponsors until I ended up with about 40-45 pieces in my collection. I went a bit over my head, but I have no regrets.

Every one of my ARC race cars are still in mint condition and in their original boxes (which are also in great shape) and I intend to keep them that way. What I'd like to know is, do die-cast race car replicas make ideal investments? Will my ARC die-cast 1:24 scale race cars be worth anything, say 10 years down the road? By the way, every one of my ARC replicas are in their "standard" paint scheme; no "special promotion" paint schemes. I preferred them that way. -- Everett Neal

A: Personally, I think there should only be one reason to buy die-casts: because you enjoy them. If they appreciate in value, that's just icing on the cake. I don't really recommend die-casts-or any other collectibles--as "investments." True, some do gain a substantial amount of value. But in the big picture, they are the exceptions rather than the rule. Fortunately for you, the Elites are among the most stable in the market in terms of holding or increasing in value. It's hard to say what they'll be worth 10 years from now. Some will gain a lot, some may gain only a little. Some may even loose, depending on the market, the economy, etc. But again, the Elites are traditionally stable.

Q: I have a collectible set of 1990 Racing Champions 1:64 scale cars. Drivers include: Rusty Wallace No. 27 Miller Genuine Draft, Dale Earnhardt Goodwrench No. 3, Neil Bonnett No. 21, Bill Elliott No. 9, Larry Pearson No. 16, just to mention a few. It has a total of 24 cars in this set. Could you tell me what this might be worth, or maybe each individual car worth? -- Nancy

A: This is a tough one. Racing Champions produced more than 50 different 1:64 scale cars in 1990, including as many as six or seven variations of some cars. It is impossible to appraise them without knowing which variations you have. The value range for cars produced that year runs from under $10 for some of the lesser collectible issues to $125-150 for a mint condition Dale Earnhardt car.

Q: I have an Action AP 1:24th scale Dale Sr. Goodwrench car. I can't seem to find a value for it. Can you please tell me more on this one? -- Daniel R. Cosner, SSG/USA, ST2 TM No. 5

A: This is one of the better AP cars. I'd place the value these days at $40-70.

Q: Do you know of anyone producing a die-cast of the 1986 Pontiac 2+2 Aerocoupe? I know that both Richard Petty and Rusty Wallace drove these cars. I own a real 2+2 Pontiac, and I would love to find a die-cast. -- Bob Greenwell

A: This was a slick looking car. It had two things going against it in terms of die-cast production. First, unfortunately, it ran a few years before the die-cast craze hit. Second, Petty, Wallace and the late Neil Bonnett were the only superstars who raced this particular car. Usually, die-cast manufacturers like to replicate cars driven by a number of drivers so they can better absorb the exorbitant expense of creating tooling. Hence, the car was never replicated. With Rusty's impending retirement, this would be a great car to do in retrospect.

Q: I have two 1:18 scale die-casts. One is of Jeff Burton in the 2000 Exide car and the other one is of Ward Burton in the 2000 white CAT car. Both die-cast are made by Ertl Collectibles Proshop. I was wondering if you would know the value on either of those cars. -- Sarah Wieberdink

A: A couple of neat cars from one of the truly legendary die-cast brands. I'd place the collectible value in the $50-60 range.

Q: I have a Johnny Sauter No. 30 AOL rookie car from Action's 2004 line. This car is supposed to have the yellow rookie strips on the back, but it doesn't. Is this car worth anything? -- Troy

A: With or without a stripe makes no difference in value. I'd place the value at $50-65 for a mint car in the box.

Q: I was wondering if you could tell me if this item is worth anything. It's a 1997 Revell Terry Labonte 1:24 and 1:64 bank set from the collectors club only 504 made in near mint condition. its No. 294 of 504. -- Tony

A: You have a really nice set here. I'd put the collectible value at $120-140. Nice collectible!

Q: I want to know what a Motor Trend 50th anniversary Racing Champions classic die-cast car is worth. It is 1 of 9999, a '57 Buick. -- Curtis Rock

A: Kind of a garden variety die-cast here. It is worth $6-10.

Q: I have a 1998 Action 1:24 Steve Park Pennzoil Chevy owned by Dale Earnhardt. The paint scheme on the car is reversed and the hood and trunk open. Could you please tell me how much this car is worth? It's in very good condition. -- Ken Andrews

A: This special paint scheme car is actually worth about the same as the regular version, probably $50-75.