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 replica of a 1931 Travel Air Mystery Ship die-cast metal bank, with a Dale Earnhardt paint scheme. It is 1 of 15,000 produced. Included is the original box. Both the plane and box are in great condition. Any guesses as to its value? -- Byron

A: You seldom see this piece on the secondary market anymore. Just after Earnhardt's death, it soared up to $250-300. It has since leveled off. It is probably worth $125-150 now.

Q: I have a 1993 Jeff Gordon DuPont rookie bank made by Racing Champions, still in the box. I have no idea what it is worth and need to know. Could you tell me?-- Joe M.

A: Joe, these early Gordon Racing Champions pieces-made before he signed an exclusive with Action--get right on the money in terms of value. There were 10,000 of these produced. It's a good solid $125-150 bank.

Q: I have a 1999 Dale Earnhardt Jr Budweiser 1:24 Action Elite Prototype. I do not have any documentation to prove it is the real deal, but the gold S/N tag is stamped PROTO. There are no signs of the body being replaced or any other flaws with the car. How do these prototype cars get sold to the public? Do you think it is real and what is it worth?--Matt

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: Yes, I am confident it is real. Opinions vary on Prototypes. Some collectors think they are worth a lot more. Some think a little more. Some think there is no difference in value. And still others think they are worth less because they are not part of the standard run. I believe most collectors think they are worth more because they aren't readily available to the public. Personally, I think they are worth more, with the percentage depending on the driver. The standard Dale Jr. '99 Elite is a $200-250 car. In my opinion, and it is just an opinion, the Prototype would be worth $300-400.

Q: I have a 2001 Dale Earnhardt Oreo 1:24 scale Action black window car. All the price guides I have seen only price the black window bank. I was wondering what the price for the black window car is. I only paid $60 for the car. I was wondering if I got a good deal.--Rob

A: You're right Rob. The Oreo car was replicated as both a black window car AND bank, and there has been some confusion in price guides regarding the two. I'd place the value of your car at around $150, give or take $25. The bank is probably worth about twice that.

Q: I would like to know the value of two of Jimmy Spencer's cars. I have a 1999 Taurus No Bull Winston and a 1999 gold Winston car. They are in the box originally sold through Mac Tools.--MJ Schmit

A: In both variations, the standard Action Racing Collectibles car is likely worth $40-60 in mint condition.

Q: I have some NASCAR trading cards made by Metallic Impressions and was wondering if you might be able to tell me what their worth? I have: 1975 Richard Petty, 1976 Cale Yarborough, 1978 Cale Yarborough, 1979 Richard Petty, 1983 Bobby Allison, 1987 Dale Earnhardt, and 1995 Jeff Gordon. I also have a Pinnacle trading card of The No. 3 Richard Childress car. It has a number 38 on the back of it.--Jill

A: As for the Metallic Impressions cards, they are from the 1996 Winston 25th Anniversary set. The Earnhardt card is probably valued at $5-8. The Gordon would check in at $3-6. The others would probably be worth about $2 each. The Pinnacle card is also a $2 card.

Q: I have a 1:64 scale Action Black Gold No.3 Chevy Monte Carlo die-cast car. I am guessing this must be a Richard Childress car. It is in excellent condition but I do not have the original package. What price range would this bring? I have showed the car to several dealers and everyone seems puzzled about the origin, even though the undercarriage is clearly stamped Action.-Michael

A: Not having the package hurts the value quite a bit. It should still be worth $5-7.

Q: I was wondering if you could tell me what the worth is of two collectibles that I can't seem to get anyplace else. I have an 1:24 scale Action Platinum Series Racing Collectible No. 3 Bass Pro Shop, Dale Earnhardt 1998 Monte Carlo. Also, I have an Action MAC Tools Motorsports 1:24 scale 1998 Ricky Rudd No. 10 Tide Ford Taurus bank w/key. It is 1 of 4500. I have the boxes for both cars. Can you help me with this?--Tamee Brooks

A: I'd appraise the Earnhardt at $125-150. The Rudd bank should be worth $50-75.

Q: I have a yellow Dale Earnhardt "Winston Cup Champion" hat. I bought it years ago but can't remember if it's from the Wrangler era or later. The name is embroidered in yellow with blue shadowing and the Winston Cup Champion logo is embroidered in red. Anyone have a clue to the year?--Double D

A: It would have to be from the Wrangler years. Earnhardt won titles under the Wrangler banner in 1980, '86, and '87. Since championship commemorative hats are usually released at the end of the season or during the following season, I would say your hat was probably made in 1981 (commemorating the '80 championship) or 1987 (for the '86 crown). Goodwrench came on board as primary sponsor in 1988, so it is doubtful that a hat celebrating the '87 championship would be blue and yellow.

Q: I would like to know how a 1992 Maxx racing card of Dale Earnhardt Sr. is worth. It is where he got his fifth win. It has the stats on the back with a picture in the right hand corner of him holding a trophy. On the front he is in his car with a close up picture of him. It also has his name across the front. It is card No. 3 of 300.It is in mint condition.--Linda Plummer

A: No big appraisal here. It is probably valued at $2-5.