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 TG Sheppard Folger's original racing uniform. Is it worth anything? -- Dsauls

EMAIL Got a collectible question? Email us! Please remember to be specific when describing a collectible -- manufacturer, year, etc. Limit your questions to two and check our archives before submitting an inquiry.

A: Kind of a vague description. No mention of whether it's a driver's firesuit, if it's race-worn, or even who the driver was. Three drivers carried the Folger's colors when country singer T. G. Sheppard was involved as a product spokesman: Tim Richmond, Benny Parsons and Ken Schrader. Mark Martin also drove a Folger's car, but that was after Sheppard had ended his affiliation.

At any rate, I consulted with race-used memorabilia guru Wayne Keith of Lexington, NC, on the potential value of a Folger's uniform. Wayne says that if it is a race-used driver firesuit bearing Tim Richmond's name, it is likely worth around $2000. A Schrader or BP driver's firesuit would be worth $1200-1500. A race-used Richmond crewman's firesuit would be worth about $500, with a BP or Schrader crewman's firesuit going for around $400.

Q: I have a plaque with a picture of Dale Earnhardt and his No. 3 car. There is also a piece of Dale Earnhardt's an actual piece of his one of his racing tires. It says that the Big Apple Card Company guarantees that the piece of Goodyear tire on this plaque came from the tire of racing superstar Dale Earnhardt. The plaque reads Dale Earnhardt "The Intimidator." Do you have any idea of what something like this is worth? -- Janis

A: A lot of plaques have been produced over the past 10-15 years--some licensed, some unlicensed. While I haven't seen one of the Big Apple plaques, it sounds like a licensed piece. If it is, the plaque is likely worth $50-75.

Q: I recently picked up a NASCAR comic book at an auction. It features Richard Petty kneeling next to a championship trophy on the cover. It is made by Vortex Comics and is entitled "The Richard Petty Special, The King Salutes His Fans". It's No. 12, copyrighted 1992. It is in really good shape, with only a few small creases on the corners, no rips or tears. What would the value of this be? -- Jake

A: Spiderman was a lot more successful in comic books than Richard Petty-or any other NASCAR superstar for that matter. NASCAR comics just never caught on. Your book is part of Vortex's Legends of NASCAR Series. The standard edition is worth $2-4. The limited edition (10,000 published) with the hologram on the cover is worth $5-8.

Q: I have a 1997 unopened original Dale Earnhardt blue Wheaties box in mint condition and was wondering if you could tell me what it might be worth. -- NABZ

A: One of the most-collectible NASCAR cereal boxes. It's worth $40-50 in terms of collectibility.

Q: I have a plastic license plate with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, it has their signatures, pictures of there cars, and says they are seven time champions, it also has the year of each championship win. Could you please tell me how much it might be worth? -- Angie

A: I happen to own one of these license plates, a neat piece from Wincraft. License platesare considered to be more of a souvenir or novelty than a bona fide collectible. It is probably worth $10-12.

Q: I have a tee shirt of Davey Allison made after he passed away. It has on the shirt, Another Star in Heaven" with his picture on it. I got from his trailer after he passed on, never worn it still in same bag. Can you tell me any value on it? -- Mike

A: Technically, this is more of a souvenir than a collectible. However, it being an Allison memorial shirt makes it collectible to many. I'd place the value at around $25.

Q: I have a brick marked W.C. CO., CULVER BLOCK, Pat May 21, 1901. The brick is 9 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 4 in. It was said to have come from the track when they took out the brick. Can you give me any information to confirm this? -- Vin

A: Your best bet is to contact the museum at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It's one of the very best racing museums in the country, and they should be able to provide the information you are looking for.

Q: I have a Kansas Speedway 2002 Official Program signed by Jeff Gordon. This program was signed by Jeff Gordon and has been in a plastic protector since the race. What do you think the value is? -- Heather

A: Two things enhance the value of this program. First, the autograph. Second, Gordon won the race. I'd place the collectible value at $30-40.

Q: I have a 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup calender. It's 16"x22" when opened. It has pictures of Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan, Richard Petty,along with other past and present drivers. Each month features a different driver. On the top half is a picture of their car, with a picture of the drivers face in the upper left corner. On the bottom half is the calendar with each race posted. It also has a paragraph about the driver's accomplishments. On the front, in the bottom right hand corner in fine print is "1991 SPORTS MARKETING ENTERPRISES,INC." On the back is a Winston ad and, in the bottom right hand corner, is "1991 R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO." On the left is the registered NASCAR logo. I was wandering if it is worth anything or not. -- W. Worley

A: More of a keepsake than a collectible. Probably worth around $10.

Q: I have a race program from Desoto Speedway in Florida from back in the early 1990s with Davey And Bobby Allison's signature on the front cover. I was wondering what you think it might be worth? Back when Tom Stimus used to run the speedway he used to have these celebrity races and autograph sessions. I was lucky enough that Bobby and Davey were both their that night and they signed my program. Thank You for any input you could give me. -- Cody Carlbert

A: This is a great collectible. Having both Allisons' autographs on one piece of memorabilia is awesome. People have a lot of different opinions about what autographs are worth, but I think Davey's alone is worth at least $75. Bobby's doesn't carry a big appraisal. However, that's no slam against him. He is a superstar in every sense of the word. But Bobby--like Richard Petty-was one of the most gracious drivers of all-time when it came to granting autographs. Hence, his signatures are very plentiful--a true tribute to his character. Personally, I'd place the value of your program at around $90-100.