Q&A: Odds 'n' ends

One of the neat things about racing memorabilia is the fact that there are so many different items out there to collect. Here are responses to some of your inquiries about a variety of miscellaneous collectibles:

Q: I have a Dale Earnhardt life-size stand-up display. It is not paper. It looks like the front of a Coke machine. It's Plexiglas or plastic and it lights up and built in a solid frame. Can you tell me how much its worth? I've never seen anything like it, but I'm sure there are more out there. -- Staddon

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A: I'm thinking this probably is the front off a Coke machine. These are pretty hard to come by. I've seen them sell for over $300, but I'd put the current value closer to $200-225. The fact that someone put it in a frame and added lighting does not help the value. If anything, in my personal opinion, it detracts as much as 50 percent because the piece is no longer original.

Q: I have a Country Time lemonade can with Alan Kulwicki on it. It has never been opened. Can you tell me the value of it? -- Mike

A: A great collectible and a great subject. In my opinion, Kulwicki is the most collectible driver of those no longer with us because there were relatively few pieces produced on him. The fact that the can is still full of lemonade is a plus. I'd place the current value of this can at $18-25.

Q: I have a friend who owns a balloon type tire that blows up to the size of about 14 inches or so. It has Earnhardt's name printed on as a signature and the ad is Busch Light. Can you quote us a price?-- MTBush

A: A unique promotional item here. It is likely worth $15-25 in terms of collectibility.

Q: I have a Dale Earnhardt Sr. open face helmet with his signature. It was given away at Favorite Market in a contest drawing about 8 years ago in Rome, Ga. Could you tell me what it is worth? -- Dylan

A: The value depends on whether or not your helmet is a race-used helmet. My buddy Wayne Keith, who owns Just 4 Fun Collectibles in Lexington, NC, is the world's leading authority on helmets, uniforms, and race-used sheet metal. Here is what he had to say about the value of your helmet: "I have a replica (not race-used) Earnhardt helmet I value at $1200, and a raced used for several thousand. I personally think a raced used-helmet should be worth at least five times the value of a replica. However, that is like all collecibles, it depends on the driver, how many available, and current demand for it."

Q: I have a 1961 Program from Bristol in mint condition. I would like to know the value. -- The Harleys

A: This program from Bristol's inaugural season should have a collectible value of $65-100.

Q: I'm looking for the price for red or blue NASCAR pins dated 1954. Mather was a NASCAR owner in Hilo, Hawaii for the years 1953-1955. Can you supply me with any info? -- Pete

A: The value of early NASCAR pins varies greatly depending on whether they are owner pins, driver pins, mechanics pins, member pins, or have no designation whatsoever. I've heard of pins bringing anywhere from $10-300. I've heard of some early driver pins selling for $150-300, depending on the driver. I'd place the value of a 1954 owner's pin at $50-100

Q: I have this hat that was signed by Dale Earnhardt in 1994 or '95 when he was at an autograph session in Bangor Me. It's white with 7-Time Champion and his car on the front and his signature on the visor. Can you tell me what it is worth? Also, I have a Ricky Craven hat when he drove the Kodiak car signed about the same time. What's that worth? -- Bob

A: The true value is in the signatures, not the hats. If it can be verified, the signed Earnhardt hat is worth $75-100. The Craven cap should be worth $15-30.

Q: Can you give me the approximate value of an autographed Dale Earnhardt No. 3 cap? It is black with red and gray flames on both sides. He autographed the top side of the visor part of the cap. We got this at a race around eight years ago. -- R. Starr

A: See the previous question; the answer is the same.

Q: Could you please tell me the approximate value of a Daytona International Speedway license plate that says 2FAST4U with assorted driver's cards including; Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr., Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, The Labonte brothers, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth, Jason Keller, Jimmy Spencer, Dave Blaney, Randy Lajoie. It's in a wood frame size 30" x 21" in a Maple stain. -- Nubeginings4me

A: This sounds like an item someone has made from an assortment of collectibles. The license plate alone is worth around $10. The cards-if they are common cards-probably have a value of $2-5 each. However, when you take two or more licensed collectibles and use them to create a totally new piece, you have what is known as a derivative collectible. A derivative collectible is basically an unlicensed product. Unfortunately, unlicensed good have no real collectible worth, only sentimental value.

Q: I have two JEBCO clocks that were given to me about 20 yr ago. They were promotional items Dayco Company gave to their suppliers. On the box is says "JEBCO DAYCO RACING CLOCKS SERIES 3 AND SERIES 4." The one clock has a picture of Steve Kinser driving the No. 26 and Dick Trickle driving the No. 15. Can you tell me what they are worth? -- SEW

A: A couple of seldom seen promo clocks here. These clocks were actually made during the mid-1990s. I'd place the collectible value at $70-90.