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 '91 MAXX All Pro autographed Dale Earnhardt card. It's in a hard plastic case and is in mint condition. I had read on your site that MAXX is now out of business. I was wondering what this card might be worth? - Paul

A: This card comes from a 50-card set that was actually produced in 1992 to showcase the '91 All Pro team. It was made by MAXX for Gargoyles. The Earnhardt card is likely worth $2-3. The autograph-if it can be authenticated-adds another $100-125 to the value.

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Q: I have a Richard Petty Belt buckle that was made for employees only. There were only 80 made and given out to valued employees the last year her raced. It is brand new in the box. It is my understanding that some of the employees sold the buckle for $2500 or more on the day they held the open house at Petty Enterprises in Randleman N.C. Can you tell me if this is still that valuable and the best place to try to sell it. - Larry Day

A: There was a feeding frenzy for collectibles-especially Petty collectibles-when he retired in 1992. So, it is possible that some buckles might have actually sold for that. But given today's market, and that most current collectors live for the here-and-now, I don't think the buckle would be worth anywhere near that much today. I'd set the value in the $100-300 range at best.

Q: I have a 1:64 scale No. 15 Ertl car. It is yellow and dark blue. The date on the bottom is 1982 and it says Wrangler on it. It is out of the package,dose this car have any value? - Frank

A: Frank, if it was still in the package, you'd have a $300-350 car here. This car was issued in both light and dark blue versions. Both are worth about the same. Without the packaging, I'd think this car would be worth $75-125.

Q: I would like to find out the value of a 1995 Wheels Dual Jewels Diamond card featuring Jeff Gordon/Dale Earnhardt. The card is a DJ1. - Rspeedy

A: A nice insert card here. In mint condition, it should be worth $20-35.

Q: My husband just came home with a car that we are confused with. It is a 1989-1999 Racing Champions The Originals No. 44 Slim Jim 1:24 scale, issue number 42, brand new, never out of box. On both ends of the box it has a picture of Terry Labonte (with his name on his suit) and on top of the drivers door it says Terry Labonte but over the passenger door it says Justin Labonte. We have searched and searched for another car like this online, but can only find the similar car with Justin, Terry & Bobbie on it. We called a collectors shop and they could find nothing about this car in the computer and had never even heard about it. What can you tell me about this car? Is it rare? Worth anything? - Angela

A: I've seen this variation and it isn't all that rare. It's worth $20-25.

Q: I have three three transporters manufactured by Ertl. The transporters are black, featuring Neil Bonnett, silver and black featuring Darrell Waltrip and the No. 17 car and red featuring Bill Elliott No. 11 Bud car. All three have "Winners" TV show logo on them. What are they worth?-RDMitch

A: These trucks were built as a collaboration between Ertl and Specialty Diecast. I'd value the Bonnett truck at $50-65; the others at $40-50.

Q: I have a 1994 Jeff Gordon rookie die-cast car made by Racing Champions. The car is still in the box and it is a misprint. Inside the box is a Jeff Gordon rookie car with a Mark Martin card behind it, which is odd in the first place let alone it is a Ford card and a Chevrolet car. If you have any information concerning what I have and what it may be worth, please let me know. - jenswin22

A: Mistakes like this are common and do not add to the value. In fact, in this case, it probably subtracts from the value. A car normally worth $50-75 is now probably only worth $25-30.

Q: I have an Alan Kulwicki Racing Champions 1:24 scale No. 7 Hooters Ford Thinderbird. The box isn't in that great of shape but the car has never been touched. I also have two 1993 No. 7 Hooters 1:64th scale transporters with opening rear door that say 1992 Winston Cup Champion on the side of it. It is still in the box never been opened and the boxes are still in great shape how much is this stuff worth? - Buddy

A: The car-depending on the year-would likely be worth $100-125 if the packaging were mint. Deducting for the damaged box, I'd still put it in the $75-80 range. The transporters should be worth $30-35 if they are standard issues; $60-70 if they are Premiers.

Q: I have a Jeff Gordon Chromalusion 1998 Monte Carlo. It is a 1:24- scale 50th Anniversary car. I was wondering if you can let me know how much it is worth.--Leticia Edwards

A: One of the first and best Gordon special paint jobs. It's a solid $100-125 car.

Q: I have a 2001 Action collectible 1:64 scale of Bobby Labonte No. 18 in a Coca Cola Bottle and wondering what the value would be.-Jorgy

A: A neat piece here. I love these unique packaging ideas. Action made over 21,000 of these cars, which keeps the value down. It is worth $20-25 in mint condition.