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: We have been donated a medallion and eight pins and would like to get an unbiased opinion of their worth. The medallion is from the first Daytona 500 (evidently each driver was given one -- yet I believe only three are accounted for today). The race was held on Feb. 22, 1959 as stated on the back of the medallion. We also have eight pins that were given to drivers dating from the late '50's to the late '60's. We also have signed authenticity from the widow of the driver, who was Carl Tyler. Thank you for helping us out with this matter, we have heard figures all over the chart and hope you can clarify. -- Chris

A: I've heard of these medallions, but never seen one. I can guarantee you they are about as rare as it gets. The 1959 Daytona 500 was the last of 12 career "Cup" series starts for Carl Tyler, who was a very successful short track racer. His wife Lois was Richard Petty's scorer for 17 years, and became the first woman to compete in any kind of race at Daytona when she raced in the NASCAR Women's National Championship Compact Car Race held January 31, 1960

I'd estimate the value of Inaugural Daytona 500 medallions to be in the $250-500 range, depending on the driver. With that said, I'd be willing to bet there might be someone out there who would even pay as much as $1000 if it is one of the really big names-like, say, Fireball Roberts or Joe Weatherly or Lee Petty.. Since Carl wasn't one of the series' big names, I'd value his medallion at $250-300. As for the pins, I have seen those pins sell for as much as $300. That was years ago, however, and as more have surfaced, the values have gone down. I would think the values of your pins would run from $25 to $125.

Q: I was just cruising around on the internet and found an old 2002 collectible article. After reading the article it lead me to a question. I have a "Limited Trackside Edition" car of Wally Dallenbach. The car is unique because for one it is made inside of a cup, but what make it especially interesting is that it is a Keystone Beer car because I noticed all the other cars had Roush Racing instead of Keystone Beer. I have tried to look it up but can never seem to find it. Any help/value would be appreciated. -- Will

A: Will, you have a good car here. It was made by Funstuf as part of the Pit Row series. A limited number of cars carrying the accurate Keystone sponsorhip made it into the market before the government cracked down on die-casts with alcohol sponsorships being sold at retail. Your car is worth $10-12, that's more than twice the value of the cars carrying "Roush Racing" on the quarterpanels.

Q: Can you please tell me how many different cars were featured in the Team Caliber Centennial of Speed series? I have seen a 3-car set Series 01 featuring Lee Petty, Tim Flock and Bill France. Series 02 had Marshall Teague, Buck Baker and France. I have seen one single of 1940 Ford driven by Baker. Are there more out there? -- ClareAnn

A: Those were the only cars in the series, which was released in 2003. The two three-car sets are probably worth $60-75. The lone Baker car, which many don't consider to be technically part of the series, is valued at $25-35.

Q: Could you please tell me the approximate value of an autographed Blaise Alexander trading card? It has been DNA Certified by PSA. It looks like the card was issued in 1995 by the Montoursville Rotary Club and is limited to 1 of 500. The card shows Blaise kneeling next to his AutoGuard car and is autographed with a gold pen. -- Gary

A: Now this is what I call a rare collectible. I've never seen this card and I'd appreciate it if you could send me an image of it. Blaise was a young talent who left us far too soon. I'd place the value of this autographed card at $50-75. As best I can tell, this was the only trading card ever produced on Alexander.

Q: I have a 1995 Action 1:64 scale Dale Earnhardt Winston Select silver car. Could you tell me what is worth? -- Claude

A: The original releases of the Earnhardt Silver car stand the test of times better than any other die-cast when it comes to value. This one is still worth around $100 in mint condition.

Q: I have a door skin off one of the old Wrangler cars that was crashed. I have pictures of the whole car sitting in the yard of the guy I got it from. The door is skinned up but looks great. It has the entire car number on it. What is it worth? -- Brian

A: The value depends on the car number. If it is a No. 2 or No. 3, it is definitely an Earnhardt door. If it is a No. 15 off a 1982 Thunderbird, it is an Earnhardt door. But if it is a No. 15 off an '83-84 T-Bird, it could be Earnhardt or Ricky Rudd. Then again, it could be off one of the Wrangler sponsored Busch Series cars that Earnhardt ran during the early 1980s. In the best case scenario, it would be off one of the No. 2, No. 3 or No. 15 Earnhardt NASCAR NEXTEL Cup cars. In that case, the value would be $650-1250, maybe $1500 to the right Earnhardt collector. A Rudd door would be worth around $150-250. An Earnhardt Busch door would likely be worth around $500-600.

Q: I have a Miller Genuine Draft No. 27 Action Platinum Series die-cast in a plastic case. What is the value? -- Tony

A: There were 5000 of these encased cars released in 1997. It is a good $150-200 piece.

Q: I have a Matt Kenseth raced-used Waste Management drivers firesuit that he used in 2005. What do you think the value might be? -- Steve

A: First off, Kenseth isn't among the top five most-collectible drivers. Second, a NASCAR Busch Series uniform doesn't usually merit as high of an appraisal as a Cup firesuit. Third, firesuits don't command the big bucks they used to unless they are something special like an Earnhardt or Gordon suit. I'd place the value of this firesuit at $450-650.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale Action Kenny Wallace No. 81 Square D 1997 Thunderbird Bank, 1 of 6000. What is its value? -- Rich

A: This goes back to Kenny's days with Fil Martocci's team. The value of this bank tops out at $35-40.

Q: I have a 1997 Action Ceramic 1:12 Dale Earnhardt Daytona 500 Crash Car. It is in the original box. Is it worth much? -- Donald

A: Donald, you're holding a $400-500 car there. A total of 5004 were produced, and that bad boy holds its value with the best of them.