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 two Wheels Viper cards from 1996, they are inserts marked No. R3 and have "Copperhead" written over the Viper part. The embossed writing is a kind of copper foil. They are both mint and inside plastic cases, one has been graded by Mint Grading Service and the other by USAsportscards.com. It has the graders' tickets. How much are they worth? -- Jim

A: The value would depend on the grade. A mint condition Copperhead No. R3 Dale Earnhardt card should be worth $30-40, possibly more to a collector who is especially enamored with graded cards.

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Q: I have a 1994 edition stock car with collectors card and display stand made by Racing Champions. The car is a red No. 12 and the card says "In Memory of Clifford Allison" with a picture on it. Can you please tell me if there is any value to this collectors item. -- Sunnie Blakeney

A: A great tribute to a really nice guy who left us far too soon. If you have the standard blister pack car, it's worth about $10. The Premier Edition is worth about $20.

Q: I have a GM Decal off of one of Dale Sr. 1994 race cars. I also have a autographed picture of Dale Sr. and Jr. with their Coca-Cola cars, they are posing in front of the cars, the picture was autographed by Sr. and Jr. personally. Also, what would the value be on a tire that was raced on by Dale Jr. It has certification papers that go with it. -- Jill Zimmerman

A: Personally, I wouldn't put a ton of value on the decal; $25-50. The real value in the photo would be the autographs which, if they can be authenticated, would make it worth $100-150. I don't put a lot of stock in tires as being valuable collectibles. I'd appraise the tire at $50-100.

Q: I recently purchased a Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1998 50th Anniversary ACDelco Monte Carlo made by Action at a garage sale. It is in a maroon box marked 50th Anniversary. The car is gold and marked on the box as 1 of 100 produced. On the bottom of the car is stamped 47. The box and car are in new condition. Any idea of the value? -- Jay

A: All I can say is: "WOW!" I should have been attending yard sales in your neighborhood. The car you have is an Elite Promo. In mint condition, I'd place the value at $1500-1600.

Q: I have a 1998 Dale Earnhardt Winner's Circle 1:24 scale black Goodwrench No. 3 Monte Carlo, in the box never opened. What is its value, if any? -- Steve

A: The main things that hurt Winner's Circle products value-wise is the fact that they are mass produced and don't exhibit the detail of hobby market cars. Still, this is a good one. I'd say it's worth $50-75, depending on which version you have.

Q: I have a Terry Labonte Honey Crunch car. The car has Terry's signature on hood and Gary Dehart's on trunk area. The outside box is signed by the whole team. I also have one with no signatures. Can you tell me the value of this car? -- Julia Balzarano

A: This is a Revell Collection car-and a valuable one at that. A large portion of the 5004-car production run was released to the general public before it hit the hobby distribution channels. The car alone is worth $200-300 in terms of collectibility. I'd add $50-80 for the autographs.

Q: I've found two Metallic Impressions Winston Cup Champions tin cards of Richard Petty and Benny Parsons. Can you tell me more about them? -- Wade

A: Metallic Impressions made two sets featuring Winston Cup Champions: a 10-card set and a 25th Anniversary 25-card set. It's impossible to know which set your cards came from without seeing them. But the very most they are worth is $2-3 apiece.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale crystal 1998 Monte Carlo, which is 1 of 176 made. It is made by Action, has a No. 1 on top etched in, no driver name, never been displayed, only taken out of the box to look at a few times, and is in excellent condition. Could you tell me what this would be worth, I have pictures I can send if needed. -- Ed

A: I've never seen this car, but I'm guessing it was a special production promotional car. The only crystal cars that have much value are the Dale Earnhardt pieces, which are worth around $80-100. Most of the others are worth about $50. This being a generic (not driver-specific) car hurts the value, but the low production run helps. So it almost balances out. I'd place the value at $35-55.

Q: I have a race worn fire suit from Bobby Allison. I think it is from the 1980s. It has a Miller High Life logo on the back and Miller Time on the collar. It's a Simpson one piece suit, logos on the front are DiGard Racing, Winsdon Cup Series, NASCAR Grand National Drivers, Goodyear, Monroe, and Champion--this all on the right side. On the left side is Miller High Life and Quaker State. The name tag is made out of the same stuff the suit is made of and it has Simpson and the driver name of Bobby Allison. What is it worth? -- JB

A: Based on the "Winston Cup Series, Grand National Drivers" patch, I think this is an older suit, probably 1983. For the value, I went to the guru of race-used apparel, Wayne Keith of Just4Fun Collectibles in Lexington, NC. Here's what he had to say: "Bobby Allison's Miller driver suit should be in the $1200-1500 price range. Sorry to say so, but most of the older drivers' stuff has reduced in value in recent years. Looks like the new fans want the newest items they can get."

Q: I just read your Q&A on Heavy Metal, and I see you appraised a car similar to mine. You said the Ryan Newman 1:24 No. 02 Alltel 2001 Taurus by Action was worth $150-175 dollar range. What would you say the Hot Wheels Racing version is worth? It's unopened, factory sealed, still in the box. I paid 20 bucks for it and was considering putting it on ebay. what are your thoughts on this? -- Bill Mears

A: You have to remember that Action cars are built for and sold in the hobby market. They are more detailed and the production runs are low when compared to Hot Wheels cars, which are sold at the mass market retail level. The Newman AllTel Hot Wheels car is worth $20-30.