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 1995 Busch Clash Winner Gold Signature of Dale Earnhardt. Made by Race Reflections Image Classic. Numbered 115 of 675. Can you tell me what this card is worth? It is in perfect condition and has been in a protective cover since purchased. -- Rainie

A: These cards were inserted at a ratio of 1:32. It should be worth about $15.

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.

Q: How do you tell the difference between the cover cards on the 1988 MAXX Charlotte set. I'm taking about the cards Nos. 1A and 1B. I'm not sure which ones I have. -- Frank

A: Frank, the difference is the text on that little sunburst in the lower left of the cover cards. Card 1A was the cover card for each wax pack. The verbiage in the sunburst refers to 10 cards, which was the number of cards in the wax pack. Card 1B was part of each factory set and mentions 100 cards-the number of cards in a complete set.

Q: I am trying to determine the value of a Monogram 1:24 scale Rookie of the year combo model kit featuring the 1985 Thunderbirds of Alan Kulwicki and Ken Schrader -- Zach

A: A great kit here. It is worth $30-35.

Q: I have a 1967 long neck Pepsi bottle with Richard Petty on it. Could you please let me know if it is worth anything. It has never been opened. I also have a Sun Drop bottle with Dale Earnhardt on it. I am not for sure what year it is but I would like to know what they are worth. -- Teresa

A: The Petty bottle salutes his record 1967 season, but it was actually made during the early 1990s. It is worth $5-7. The Earnhardt bottle is one of six released and holds a solid $25 value.

Q: I have a three-car set of 1998 Racing Champions 1:64 scale No. 36 Ernie Irvan inaugural season-fan club edition cars. Are they worth anything? -- Jim Lynch

A: One of the neat perks of belonging to a driver's fan club is that it entitles members to collectibles not available to the general public. This is one of those sets. I'd set the collectible value at $35-50.

Q: I've had many "regular" cards signed by drivers over the years. Why is there such a big difference in the appraisal of a card I've had signed personally than an autograph insert card? -- Lee Abernathy

A: Lee, the biggest factor is authenticity. An autograph insert card is 100% guaranteed authentic by the manufacturer. There is no fool-proof way to prove that a base card that has been signed is authentic. The only people who know for sure are the card's owner and the driver. And drivers sign so many cards per year, it would be nearly impossible for any one of them to remember. Some folks go as far as to photograph the driver signing a card. But who is to say for sure that the article being signed is actually the card in question? Another factor is that the insert is just that-an insert-with a predetermined number randomly seeded throughout the production run. Hence, getting one is by luck of the draw. And sometimes, it really IS better to be lucky than good.

Q: Could you tell me the value of a Dale Earnhardt Wheels Viper R-3 card with Dale on the front. It has "Viper" and "Earnhardt" in silver letters down the side and the '95 season on the back, although it is dated at the bottom 1996. Is this considered a '95 or '96 card. -- Walt

A: It's a '96 card. The Dale Earnhardt Black Mamba card No. R-3 was once valued at around $100. It has since leveled off at a little over $50.

Q: I am interested in learning the value of the Johnny Lightning Stock Car Legends. These were a series of 22 Vintage 1:64 scale NASCAR die-cast manufactured in 1998. I am trying to acquire the set and do not wish to over pay their worth. Thank You. -- Wally

A: Wally, being as interested in NASCAR history as I am, I love this set. It is awesome. David Pearson's '67 Fairlane, Neil Bonnett's No. 5 Dodge Charger, Donnie Allison in the Wood Brothers Mercury, Pete Hamilton in Cotton Owens' Plymouth, etc. An immaculate collection. For some reason, these cars didn't quite catch on with collectors the way they should have, which is a huge shame. Johnny Lightning did a great job with the bodies, the paint, and the decals. I've seen these cars sell for $5-10. But in terms of collectibility, I'd say these cars are worth $12-20 each any day.

Q: What is the worth of a Davey Allison signed rookie card. -- Dfrost

A: Most collectors consider Allison's 1988 Maxx card as his rookie card, even though he had been racing for several years when it was released. It is one of the great sleepers of card collecting-it is currently worth only around $10-15.

Q: I have a print of Dale Earnhardt that I am trying to find out the value of. It is approximately 31'' x 18''. It has a picture of Dale shown from the waist up wearing a Mac Tools Racing cap and his Goodwrench racing suit to the left of the print and a picture of the No. 3 Goodwench Lumina in the pits on the right. The picture of Dale overlaps the picture of the car.

Over Dale's left shoulder, there is a signature of Sam Bass ' 91. In the center of the print, at the bottom, there is the Mac Tools Racing logo. In the lower left corner, in small print, it says, "1991 Mac Tools Inc." In the lower right corner, in small print, it says, "For Promotional use only; not for sale." Any information on this print will be helpful. -- Daryl

A: This is actually a poster, not a print. It is likely worth $25-35.