Collectibles Q&A

Are you a die-hard NASCAR fan? If so, you are probably a collector, whether you realize it or not. You may have a shelf or display case brimming with die-cast cars, or binders filled with trading cards, or even a room or garage stocked with memorabilia. Then again, you may just have a few items stuffed in a drawer. Makes no difference, you're a collector. And collectors often have questions about the items they've accumulated. Here are our responses to some of your most recent inquiries.

Q: Why has the frequency of the collectible portion of this site gone down since the new year 2005? It used to have Heavy Metal (die-cast Q&A) almost every week. Now it is once a month or less. -- Christopher Zetzsche

A: Thanks for being a loyal reader and thanks for noticing. In response to your question and many more like it, the Collectibles Section underwent a few changes in January. As a result, the Q&A column will now run twice monthly. Again, thanks for your support.

Q: I have a 16-month 2000 Dale Earnhardt calendar still in the wrapper and a 1996 plastic key chain still in the plastic of the GM Goodwrench car. Can you tell me the value of these? -- Richard Sperling

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: These are more like mementos or souvenirs than true collectibles. The calendar would be worth around $10-12. The key ring would be worth $5-8.

Q: I have a NASCAR Winston Cup 1991 Yearbook in which Dale Earnhardt won the championship and it is autographed by him. Can you tell me how much this is worth? I also have a 1:64 scale Racing Collectible Legend Series car of Dale Earnhardt. It is the No. 15 Wrangler yellow and blue car from 1983. Can you tell me how much this is worth? -- Loriden

A: The UMI yearbook is an especially good collectible. With a verifiable signature, it is easily worth $150 -- more to the right person. The Wrangler Thunderbird die-cast is a good piece also. It's collectible value falls in the $50-75 range.

Q: I have a 1:24 Action car from 1999. It is the No. 36 Ernie Irvan M&Ms Countdown Pontiac. What is its value? -- Mike

A: The M&Ms Countdown car, in mint condition, is probably worth $75-90.

Q: I have two die-cast collectibles that I am attempting to find out the values of. The first one is a Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 1 Polar Bear 1998 Monte Carlo made by Action Racing. The second one is a Dale Earnhart No. 3 Goodwrench 1997 Monte Carlo also made by Action Racing. Any information that you can provide will be appreciated. -- Beau

A: A ton of the Polar Bear cars were produced. The Dale Jr. piece is probably worth $50-60. The standard Action Racing Collectibles 1997 Goodwrench car is worth around $100, give or take a few dollars.

Q: I have an autograph matte framed with three pictures of Rusty Wallace. It was a mail in card of the first year Upper Deck entered the card market and was wondering its value. -- gfoiii

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A: This item once held quite a bit of value, but over the years it has leveled off at around $35-40.

Q: I have 1996 Pinnacle Racer's Choice card. In the top right corner it says, "1996 Rides." It has a picture of Rusty Wallace's car and on bottom right corner it has "RCR Enterprises No. 3. On the back it's got a picture of Dale Earnhardt. The card is No. 27 and over writing on back it has Speedway Collection. Was wondering what it is worth. -- LadyTaz

A: A card like this is a mistake, not an error. In other words, it was a fluke in the production process, rather than an error in the design. It's worth about $1, unless you find someone who specializes in oddball cards.

Q: I have a 1993 Racing Champions Jeff Gordon Rookie 1:64 scale car and card still in the package. The thing is, his signature on the roof of the car, is misspelled "Jeff Gorgon", instead of Gordon. I can't find a value on this and was wondering if you had any idea. I don't know how many of these made it into production before it was discovered and corrected. -- Mack

A: As we've said a hundred times before, errors or production mistakes in die-casts do not add to the value. If anything, they detract from the value. This car still has a good value however. It's likely worth $50-75.

Q: I have a 1967 long neck Pepsi bottle with Richard Petty on it. Could you please let me know if it is worth anything. It has never been opened. I also have a Sun Drop bottle with Dale Earnhardt on it. I am not for sure what year it is but I would like to know what they are worth. -- Teresa

A: The Petty bottle salutes his record 1967 season, but it was actually made during the early 1990s. It is worth $5-7. The Earnhardt bottle is one of six released and holds a solid $25 value.

Q: I have a MPC 1:25th scale model of Richard Petty's red and blue Charger. I believe it is from 1973. It is unbuilt, box opened, but parts still in the wrapper inside. The box has been defaced a little bit by my father putting two stickers on the face, covering part of the top of the box. Otherwise, it is in great condition inside. My question is, I am not really a collector, and am looking to sell the model, but don't know what this is going for. I have been told that I own one of the two or three left in existence that is unbuilt. If I were to sell, what price would I ask, and do you know of a place to go to where I could sell it? I appreciate your time on this. -- Gregg Pawelski

A: First of all, there are quite a few of these unbuilt kits around-a lot more than "two or three." The box being opened does not hurt the value, but the stickers being on the box does detract a bit. In mint condition, this kit would have a "collectible" value of $150-200. You might want to check on eBay to see what they are actually selling for on the secondary market. If you want to sell it, eBay might be an option you want to consider.