Collectibles Q&A

NASCAR memoribilia collectors often have questions about the items they've accumulated. Here are our responses to some of your most recent inquiries:

Q: I have a hood replica I'd like to know the value of. This hood replica is the Coca-Cola Racing Family, top six drivers of 2000. On the hood is Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, and Ricky Rudd. The drivers are lined around the edge of the hood and their cars are across the bottom of the hood. My son's great uncle gave it to him and he got it from the store he worked at as a manager. It was on display there and he got it. Any help with the value of this would be great. -- D Bolen

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: A pretty good collectible here, especially since it was a promotional piece and not a "made to sell" item. Right now, the value is probably $40-50. That may not sound like a lot at the moment, but there is always plenty of potential for these kinds of pieces to appreciate in value.

Q: I have a pin that has 1993 limited edition 4052 of 5000 of Davey Allison in front of his Havoline Car. Is there any way you could give me an idea of how much it is worth? -- Carla

A: Pins just don't carry big appraisals with NASCAR collectors. I'd assign a value of $8-10 to this piece.

Q: I have two Jeff Gordon, two Rusty Wallace, one Kenny Schrader, and one Michael Waltrip card board stand ups and was wondering if you could tell me how much they were worth? Micheal Waltrip's is signed by him. They are in good shape. -- Susan

A: There are quite a few Gordon stand-ups around, and the value depends on which ones you have. It could run from $50-125. Wallace stand-upsd are plentiful, so you are probably looking at $30-40 for that one. The autograph would push the Waltrip piece up to $50 or so for the right collector. Not many Schrader standups left, but then again, he isn't one of the "most collected" drivers. I'd value it at $30-40.

Q: I recently found an old program book in the attic of a home being torn down. It is apparently the program of the 1st race at Darlington, trying to find out if it could be worth anything? -- Teressa

A: If it is original an in great shape, it's worth $400-500. However, some of these programs were reprinted a few years back. Reprints are only worth $25-35.

Q: I have a Dale Earnhardt 24 Karat Gold Plated 1:24 scale die-cast car made by Action. It is number 84 of 100 made, and is in mint condition. It has Pro Bass on the hood, Goodwrench on the sides and 50th Anniversary on the trunk. I am trying to find out the value of what this car is worth. -- Cindi

A: Cindi, you have a die-cast gold mine here. If this car is in mint condition, I'd place the collectible value at $1500-1600.

Q: I have a novelty checked flag with several driver autographs on it. The drives include, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki and Ken Schrader. I was able to meet these three drivers and had them sign the flag at the Slinger Nationals in Slinger Wisconsin some years back. I would assume the value on this has to be pretty high considering two of these drivers are no longer with us. Can you please help me put value on such a rare item. -- Clint from Wisconsin

A: Awesome collectible here, Clint. The true value lies in the signatures, especially since you can verify them as authentic. I'd place the collectible value in the $200-300 range.

Q: I would be most grateful to know the approximate worth of a professionally framed and triple-matted print I have depicting Dale Earnhardt winning the 1991 Winston Cup Championship. It is signed by both Dale Earnhardt and the artist, Sam Bass, and includes a certificate of authenticity from The Source International. Sam Bass has also written "The Intimidator". All writing looks to be in permanent silver marker.

The actual print is about 28" x 19" (without the matting and frame) and is numbered 569/1000. The print has Dale holding the Winston Cup Championship Trophy over his head in the upper left hand quadrant, his helmet in the upper right hand quadrant, him in a Goodwrench racing cap on the right lower quadrant and his Goodwrench Chevy Lumina Car in the left lower quadrant of the print. I appreciate any advice you could give me on the worth of the print as I am thinking of selling it (eBay?). -- Lottes

A: Sam Bass' early Earnhardt prints rarely change hands, especially the one autographed by The Intimidator. So this artwork comes with a hefty price tag. Personally, I'd place the value in the $1200-1600 range-perhaps even more to a die-hard Earnhardt fan. I'm not sure if eBay would be the best way to go on selling a piece of this value. You may want to speak to Sam Bass or a member of his staff about the best way to procure a buyer for piece this significant.

Q: I have a 1992 Jeff Gordon Baby Ruth car made by Action and would like to know the value?-- Deborah

A: No scale was mentioned, but the 1:24 scale replica of the Baby Ruth Thunderbird-produced in 1998-is worth $75-100.

Q: I have an autographed 1998 Limited Edition No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Monte Carlo. Dale Earnhart signed the car when he was here in Colorado Springs. What is it's value? -- T. J. Evans

A: There are several versions of this piece, but the standard Action car in mint condition has a collectible value of $125-150. You can add at least another $125-150 for the autograph.

Q: I have a Wheels Racing card of Davey Allison on the front of the card is Rookie Thunder. A picture of him with his helmet on and on the card it has Davey Allison One of a kind. On the back it has Davey will always be remembered. and its number on the back of the card is 85. I also have a Rookie of the Year card for Jeff Gordon, signed. The card has a picture of Jeff Gordon on the front with his sunglasses on and back it has the number 173 embossed in Gold.

The next card I have is one of Richard Petty. It is a 1993 Hi Pro card. On the front of the card is Richard Petty's No. 43 STP car for a test drive on U.S. Hwy 220. on the back it tells about the Richard Petty Highway and the number is 3468/30000. I also have a Racing Champions car dated 10/10/1993, Charlotte Motor Speedway Mello Yello 500. It has a Limited Edition of 30,000. The car is white with No. 93 Mello Yello 500 on the hood and Program Car on the sides. -- Lynda

A: All of the cards are "commons." Their value is around $1-2. The "Program" car is worth $5-10.