Collectibles Q&A

NASCAR memorabilia 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 Dale Earnhardt Matchbox Super Stars Awardsgold die-cast car. It is a 1994 points champion, seven-time champion piece. I have number 4. Can you please tell me what it is worth? -- Kimberley

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 nice car here. The value should fall in the $35-45 range if it's in perfect shape.

Q: I have a Feb. 14-20, 1998 Richard Petty/ Dale Earnhardt TV Guide in mint condition. I was wondering if it was worth anything. -- Courtney

A: Yep, it's a very collectible magazine. Probably worth $15-25.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale 1998 Jeff Burton Track Gear No. 9 Racing Champions yellow Ford Taurus can you tell me if it is worth anything? -- Cathy

A: A fairly common car here. It should appraise for $12-18.

Q: I have 1998 RCCA Dale Jarrett bank in the original box. How much is it worth? -- Manuel

A: RCCA released Jarrett banks with three paint schemes in '98: a standard paint scheme, a Batman, and a No Bull version. All three should be worth $60-75 in terms of collectibility.

Q: I have a shirt that was autographed by Jeff Gordon during his rookie year. It has never been worn due to the fact that we were told that it was worth quite a bit. Is this true? -- Cathy Dawkins

A: The value depends on the type of shirt. For example, a race-used shirt would be worth more than a tee shirt. Assuming it is a tee shirt, I'd place the value in the $35-50 range.

Q: I recently acquired a 1988 Maxx No. 99 Dale Earnhardt card with a gold stamp in the upper right hand corner. It says it is card No. 143 of 999. Who would best be qualified to authenticate this card? -- Brad

A: Brad, I'd just about bet that your card is authentic. I haven't heard anything about those cards being counterfeited. But to give it optimum value, you might want to have it authenticated AND graded. The guys at Beckett Racing are well qualified to do both. You can check them out on the web at www.beckett.com.

Q: I have a 1997 Mike Skinner No. 31 Lowe's Monte Carlo 1:24-scale stock car, made by Action, 1 of 5000. The car has never been out of the box. What do you think the value of this collectable would be? -- Katie

A: Katie, that's a pretty common car. I'd put the value at $40 tops.

Q: My husband has a 1:24 scale Dale Earnhardt Sr. No. 3 Peter Max car in excellent condition with the box. I was purchased from For Race Fans only. Can you tell me the value of the car?-Karlin

A: If this is the gold For Race Fans Only car, there were only 2000 released. And if it is the gold car, it has a collectible value of $275-325.

Q: I have a mint condition Davey Allison figure by Tom Clark/Cairn Studios with the original price tags from Belk (the store where I purchased it) still on it. I bought it in 1994 and because I registered it, and I have a Certificate of Authenticity. The funny thing is, my name is Bobby Allison, so the COA has that name on it (yes, we are distantly related but they don't know us). Can you please tell me how much it is worth and maybe where I could sell it? Ebay hasn't proven to be successful unless I want to sell it for $10! -- Bobby Allison

A: Bobby, as you know, Tom Clark is one of the most respected sculptors in the world of mainstream-not just racing-collectibles. For some reason, his immaculately rendered racing pieces never quite caught on with fans like they should have. In my personal opinion-and it's just that, a personal opinion, this piece is likely worth $100, give or take $20 one way or the other. That is actually a shame, given Clark's talent and the quality of his work, it should be worth more.

Q: I have a 1:43 scale Richard Petty Race Image STP Pontiac and a Race Image 1:43 scale Steve Grisson Monte Carlo. What are they worth? -- Rebecca

A: Race Image only produced NASCAR die-cast in 1997-98 and only in 1:43 scale. Your cars are worth $8-10 apiece. By the way, the No. 43 is actually John Andretti in the Petty car.