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 baseball cap signed by Mike Skinner and Chocolate Myers. Does it have any value? -- Lance Andersen

A: The value lies in the autographs. Skinner's signature is probably worth $20-35. The autograph of longtime RCR employee Myers is worth $15-25.

Q: I have a 1992 Daytona 500 Racing Champions top three finishing order die-cast set. It is in a big package and has Davey Allison on the top, Morgan Shepherd/ Citgo in the middle and Geoff Bodine's Motorcraft car on the bottom with driver card and stand still sealed inside original package. It cost me $5.95 at a Hill's department store in Pennsylvania. What is its value? -- LCpl Jason A. Senese

A: Racing Champions put together some really neat multi-car sets back in the day. This one is worth around $20.

Q: I bought a 1:24 scale Dale Sr. No 3 die-cast. It is a brushed metal Foundation car made in 2003 with open hood. The box is labeled for Race Fans by QVC. It has a logo on the bottom that says Brookfield Guild. Can you help? -- Tony

A: There are two possible scenarios here. This could be the 2003 Action/QVC car, in which case there were 1008 produced and it is worth $150-200. Or, this could be one-half of a Brookfield two-car set that included both the black and brushed metal cars. If that is the case, the value is about half the value of the set, or $50-60.

Q: I have a "Meet Richard Petty" vinyl LP album. I purchased this album at the old Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway (now RIR) back in the early '70's. It is basically a narrative by Richard Petty going through the pictures in the paperback manual/book that came with the album. The booklet includes pictures/sections of the Petty family, different race scenes, the race shop, and racing in general. The album, album cover and booklet are all in very good shape. -- Bob Catlett

A: Bob, this is the best collectible of the week. I'd place the value at $75-125. It is rare to find the album and booklet in good condition.

Q: I have a 1/2" drive gold-plated Dale Earnhardt impact wrench. It was produced by MAC tools, and has a walnut box with his name and face cut in it. I was wondering the value. -- David Huth

A: Tools are darn near impossible to appraise because they are so pricey to begin with. My rule of thumb is that they appreciate about 10-20 percent over their original cost and then stall out. If I had to put a number on it, I'd say this wrench is probably worth $200-300.

Q: My late brother-in-law had a huge die-cast collection--everything from World of Outlaws to NHRA, but most of the 1500+ cars were NASCAR. The one I prize is one he left me when he died of cancer. It is a Powr-Pull (you pull the car back and a spring winds up the rear wheels to go forward when you let it go) No. 15 Dale Earnhardt Wrangler Ford Thunderbird. The car is not in a box but is mint. No scratches, marks, etc and works like new. I keep it in a small plastic display case on our mantel at home. It was worth about $300 years ago. What's the value now? -- Curt Larkin

A: Curt, you're now tied with Bob and the Petty album for the best collectible of the week. The Powr-Pull cars by Ertl were awesome. The Earnhardt is the most coveted, and that bad boy hasn't lost one dime of value. Mint in the package, it is still worth $300. Not being in the package hurts your car quite a bit, but I still think it is worth $150-200.

Q: I have a 50th anniversary Gold No. 5 Terry Labonte 1:24th scale car in the original box. It shows some wear on the box, but otherwise in good condition. Can you tell what you think it worth now that Terry has retired? -- Officer Rick Powell, San Diego PD

A: The hood opening version is worth $35-40 tops. The non hood-opening edition is worth $25-30. Terry's retirement has had no effect on the value of his collectibles.

Q: I have a huge collection of Mark Martin collectables--pretty much everything he drove in 1:64th (including his No. 2 Camaro and a replica of his No. 2 '55 Chevy in 1:24th) and many of his 1:24ths through the years. One that I have is his Kosei car from the only time he drove in Japan. It has 1 of 3500 on the box. Any idea of value? -- Herb L. Richardson

A: One of the better Martin cars here. It was released by Racing Champions in 1998 and there were 2500 produced. It carries a value of $175-200 in pristine condition.

Q: I have a Bill Elliott leather jacket from when he raced with Junior Johnson and drove the No. 11 Budweiser Thunderbird. The jacket is in excellent condition, only been worn four or five times. I would like to know its value?-- Jim D

A: Souvenir apparel doesn't usually carry much collectible value and rarely if ever appreciates (unless it is Dale Earnhardt related). This jacket is probably only worth $50-75 on today's market unless you find a die-hard Elliott fan.

Q: I have a 3 card set of Bobby, Davey , and Clifford Allison that was put out just after Clifford's death. It's in a black case side by side, any idea on the value? -- Jerry

A: Action Packed produced this set in 1992. Only 5000 sets were released with proceeds from the sales going to benefit the children of Clifford Allison. This is a good solid collectible set. In mist condition, it's worth $30-40.

Q: I have a mint condition Kenny Irwin 1:24 scale die-cast of his Flames car that he drove in Phoenix. It was part of a rebate promotion that was sponsored by Havoline. Can you tell me what the value is of this die-cast? -- Matt Carpenter

A: This is perhaps the prettiest Havoline car that ever raced. This is a fairly rare Promo car. I'd place the value at $60-90.