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 recently purchased from the Jeff Gordon Incorporated auction a possible one of one Jeff Gordon die-cast car. It is a prototype (sticker attached) of the 2000 Dupont Chevrolet he drove at Daytona, but with a big difference: it was NOT approved for production because it is an all red car instead of metallic silver. It was supposed to come with a trailer, but all that's left of the trailer is the door panel. They said at the auction house that there are no more pieces of the set, so it possibly is a one of one, and I also have a certificate as well. I'll include a picture of the vehicle. Just wondering the value of it at all? - Brackettman

A: Evidently this was a prototype for a Brookfield Collectors Guild Trackside set. If this were a complete set, it would be worth some serious, serious cash. Unfortunately, in spite of being an extremely rare piece, it is technically "damaged goods." Still, it has a pretty decent value, probably $75-150 for the car alone.

Q: I have a 1997 Press Pass Clear Cut Jeff Gordon card. It is a clear plastic card with a picture of his car and him. The image of him is kind of diamond shaped. I was wondering how much this was worth? - Diane Parrish

A: A good insert. There were 10 different drivers in this set. The Gordon card is worth $8-10.

Q: I have three NASCAR comic books by Vortex. Just wondering what would be the price for each? They are NASCAR Adventures: The Darlington Story (Too Tough To Tame), The legends of NASCAR Starring Morgan Shepherd, and NASCAR Adventures starring Richard Petty. - William

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A: The Petty comic book would be worth $8-15 The others would be worth $5-12.

Q: I have a Winner's Circle die-cast car that I would like to get an opinion on.. It is Dale Earnhardt's 1957 Goodwrench Service Plus Cheverolet Bel Air Convertible. It is 1:64 scale and has a collector's card. - Matt Badeau

A: This was one of those "fantasy" cars that Winner's Circle did in its Cool Customs Series. It is worth $20-25 in terms of collectibility.

Q: I have a No. 12 Jeremy Mayfield Mobil 1:24 crew cab, open trailer, and stock car collectible set. I am want to sell it and have no Idea how to price it can you help? - Shawn

A: The collectible value on this Brookfield Trackside set is $50-75. What you can actually sell it for depends on the market at any given time.

Q: I'm wondering how I might be able to place a value on the following unique items... But first a quick background. In 1987 I was lucky enough to spend 5 days with Richard, his family and crew in Randleman, N.C., on a magazine assignment for Pontiac motors. The writer and I were allowed into the "Petty boneyard" located in the woods behind the garages.

While walking through this outdoor museum we came across a car that had the number "42" painted on the door. The "2" had been painted over to make it into a "3", thus the number "43". Filling in a part of the dash area was a burnished piece of metal with the name "Richard" written in pencil in what looked like a youngster's handwriting. To make a long story short, I removed that piece of metal and took it with us. Later that day I showed Richard and asked him about the car, we were told it was his first race car, and he then autographed the metal next to his name in pencil. I have had this piece ever since as well as photos we took of the vehicle in the woods.

FYI -I have been told that since our trip in '87 the boneyard has been destroyed, and (I think) I may have the only remaining piece of that car. I have also acquired a scale model of the vehicle.

Fast forward to 1992. I was in Atlanta for his last race. I attended the concert put on by Alabama and had complete access around the track.

Consequently I have a piece of his first race car with his signature (and name as a little kid) as well as a complete set of tickets/passes etc. from the last race of his career. A sort of bookend for the world's most famous race car driver. How do I figure out what it is worth?

One other question... during the 1987 trip, I got a book from Richard called "King Richard". It was a photo book featuring everyone involved with him. While there I had his dad Lee sign it next to his photo as well as his mom next to her photo. I had his crew chief Dale Inman sign next to his photo along with his manager Jimmy Martin and a few crew members etc. as well as Richard. How do I place a value on this? - Paul Zimmerman

A: This is most likely the car that is now in Alex Beam's Memory Lane Motorports and Historical Automotive Museum in Mooresville, NC. (The Museum is a MUST SEE for every race fan and automotive enthusiast.) The autographed piece of the Petty car is probably worth $100-150. The passes should be worth around $50. The signed book should appraise for $125-200.

Q: I have a W.R. Case & Sons Cultery Co. 1992 Harry Gant MAXX race card and color engraved solid brass knife in a plastic cover, how much is this worth? I have about 10 different ones and I was trying to get an idea of their worth. - Charla

A: These knives were made more for retail than the serious knife collector. It is worth $25-50.

Q: Would you know what the value of the 1:24 scale No. 97 Alan Kulwicki car made by Action? - Anita

A: Action replicated several of Kulwiki's No. 97 ASA cars. They are worth $30-40.

Q: A Hot Wheels car was noticed in my daycare's "car bucket". It's a 1974 Dodge Charger, blue and red with the number 43 on it. I was told that this was a NASCAR vehicle. This isn't my thing, so I'm just curious as to whether or not there's any value to it, or if you can tell me anything about this particular toy car? - Carin

A: This is a replica of Richard Petty's No 43 STP car. It was produced by Hot Wheels in the late 1990s. At best it would be worth $15-20 if it was from the Trackside series and still in the box. If packaged in a blister pack, the value would be $5-8. But those values went for naught the minute it was taken from the package and used for a toy. It's likely worth a couple of bucks now.

Q: I am new to NASCAR and have bought a Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 1 Polar Bear 1998 Monte Carlo by Action Platinum Series. It is a diecast 1:24 scale. I want to know if Dale Jr. ever raced this car and it's approx value, it is in mint condition. - Bryan

A: Junior raced this car in Japan in 1998. Dale Sr. raced a No. 3 Coke Polar Bear car. The Dale Jr. car is worth about $50, give or take 10 bucks.