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 am wondering how much a Neil Bonnett Racing Champions 1993 Premier Edition Card and Car in the box would be worth. It is 1:64 scale, never been opened, 1 of 10,000 and autographed on the back by driver.--Kelli Rockwood

A: Great collectible on a great driver. I actually used to ghost write a column with Neil in the old Pit Pass Magazine, and I still consider him to be one of the best people I ever met. You have a nice die-cast here. It is a replica of the No. 31 Mom 'n' Pops Chevrolet that Neil drove for Richard Childress. The car alone is worth around $50. I'd add another $75 for the signature.

Q: I have a Jeff Gordon officially signed hat with a certificate saying it was worth $200. I have it for five years and I was wondering if the price has went up any at all.-Jeff

A: Many times, signed items are given away in contests with the "giver" assigning a value to the prize. I think in most cases those appraisals are guess-timations bordering on wishful thinking by the company or organization running the promotion. Based on what I've seen signed Gordon items sell for, I don't think the hat has gained any value if indeed the "giver's" estimated value was correct. I'm sure there are some die-hard Gordon fans who might pay $200 for such a hat, but I think they'd be the exception rather than the norm.

Q: I have a 1997 Action Dale Earnhardt Crash Car with box, sleeve and everything else in mint condition. How much is this Worth ?-Smallblck

A: That's a $400-500 piece all day long! One of the better Earnhardt cars of the past decade, it was actually released in 1999.

Q: I have a 1:12th scale porcelain Dale Earnhardt Jr. car on marble base with plate that states this is 172 of 1000 made. It is a 1999 rookie year car. Can you help find a value? It was put out by Integrity.-Margie

A: This was a great series that never caught on with collectors. They were a bit pricey with a cost of around $250 right out of the box. Most have held pretty close to that value, but I'd appraise the Junior car at considerably more, probably $350-400.

Q: I have a HI-Tech Inaugural Brickyard 1994, 1 of 1000 wooden box card set, autographed by Jeff Gordon. I would like to know the value please.-Michael

A: This 100-card set was actually issued in 1995 to commemorate the '94 Brickyard 400. With the Gordon autograph, it is likely worth $100-150.

Q: I have a 2002 Press Pass Stealth trading card that Mark Martin autographed. I was wondering how much it is worth. I also have a 2002 Press Pass Trackside trading card autographed by Rusty Wallace. I was also wondering how much it was worth.-Stelly

A: Assuming that both were common cards signed by the drivers, most of the value lies in the autographs. Both cards should be worth $35-50.

Q: I have a collectible with The Coca Cola Polar Bear in the Coca Cola jacket with the Intimadator shades on. It is a Tim Wolfe Sculpture. It is No. 2 of 624. I was just wondering if it had any value at all.-ptimberjack

A: This is a nice collectible that rarely gets mentioned. I'm seeing some of these selling on the internet for as little as $25. I think it is worth more-especially since yours has such a low serial number. It'd put the collectible value at $50-70.

Q: My husband has a belt buckle of Davey Allison's Ford Thunderbird with his birthdate and the date of his death, but in the headlight it has a Chevy symbol and on the other headlight it has the No. 28. Can you tell me what it may be worth?-Minnie

A: This was made back in the days when there were a lot of unauthorized belt buckles on the market. If this piece was unauthorized, it has no value. Even if it is a legitimate item, the error hurts the value some. It is probably worth $10-25 at most.

Q: I'll bet real NASCAR fans would love to have some old souvenir programs. I'm kind of wondering what the value may be. Just to name a few in my collection: 1976 World 600/ Patriot 300 (this one has an article in it with Dale Earnhardt), 1969 Talladega Permatex 300, and 1969 Daytona 500. What do you think?-Al

A: Al, you're singing my song, buddy. These are the real collectibles of NASCAR. That first Talladega program is a killer. I'd place its value at $150-200. The 1969 Daytona program should weigh in at around $50-60. The '76 Charlotte publication is worth $30-40.

Q: How much is a 1992 Hooters calendar signed by Alan Kulwicki worth?-John

A: One of the best NASCAR autographs you could ever hope to collect. I'd appraise this signature at $100-150.