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 puzzle of Jeff Gordon commemorating his first sprint car feature win at age 14, circa, approximately 1985. The puzzle picture was taken by Stan Jeffery and was taken with Jeff standing in front of the car, holding the checkered flag. The puzzle was made by S & G Novelty Company of Ohio. The box seals are still intact, and it is also autographed . According to a fan club letter that accompanied puzzle, this item is pretty scarce. Any info regarding value would be greatly appreciated. -- XYZ

A: "Pretty scarce" indeed. This is an extremely rare collectible these days. I'd put the value, with autograph, at $200-250. A die-hard Gordon fan might even pay $300 or better.

Q: I just won an eBay auction for a 2000 Action 1:24 Dale Earnhardt Jr. season standard paint scheme die-cast car and believe it to be a counterfeit. The car is noticeably lighter than their other cars, has no black strip around the windshield and no red paint on rims of tires. I was wondering if you could help me determine if this car is fake. -- Brian

A: Brian, in most cases, a counterfeit die-cast car sticks out like a possum at a dog show. The most telling indicator is the decaling. Manufacturers have been using Tampo printing (a type of printing similar to what is used on soft drink bottles) for over 15 years now. Counterfeiters aren't going to invest in that kind of technology, so they use water slide decals like those used on model cars, or they try to hand-paint the lettering. Unless you car is hand-lettered or has model car decals, I would think it is likely a legitimate collectible. If the paint color is off, that could be due to a production error.

Q: Thank you for any insight you may have into the value of a piece I purchased from QVC several years ago. The piece is titled "Texas Thunder" and consists of a photo of the Labonte brothers at Atlanta in 1996 when Bobby won the race and Terry won the Championship. Both drivers autographed the photo. It is mounted with a plaque bearing the names, the title, and Limited Edition 19 of 200. -- Martin

A: A good solid collectible here. It has several things going for it: the autographs, the sequential numbering, and the significant event it commemorates. It should be worth $100-175 in terms of collectibility.

Q: Could you tell me if a souvenir program from the 1976 Talladega 500 is worth anything today? -- Rick Traylor

A: Ayup, it's a good solid $30-35 program

Q: I have an Alan Kulwicki Hooters 18 wheeler. The cab is all white and marked underneath "1991 Racing Champions". The trailer is white with orange strip at the bottom. The trailer has Alan's signature with No. 7 underneath, and the Ford name. In the center of the trailer is the Hooters owl with the writing NASCAR Winston Cup Racing. The other writing is "Classic Mixers and "Naturally Fresh Foods". Do you think that this truck and trailer has a price value and if so, what do you think it would be? -- Martha Haynes

A: Martha, this is a great die-cast. It's the first transporter Racing Champions did of Kulwicki. I'd place the value at $50-60. That is providing the autograph is a printed facsimile. If Kulwicki actually signed the truck, you can add anther $150-200 to the value.

Q: I would like to know the value, if any, of the following 1:64 scale die-cast transporters have: a 1991 Racing Champions No. 42 Kyle Petty/Mello Yello, a 1991 Racing Champions No. 22 Sterling Marlin/Maxwell House, and a 1992 No. 6 Mark Martin/Valvoline. -- Robin

A: The Martin truck is worth around $15. The other weigh in at about $12.

Q: Could you tell me the approximate value of a 24K Gold plated Commemorative Series 1:64 series transporter and car I recently found at an auction is. It is a No. No. 26 Johnny Benson Cheerios racing team set. It is still in the box. The box is some what crushed. As near as I can tell however, it has never been out of the box. It is a numbered series. It appears (from what I can tell) I have that I have No. 397 of 1500. -- LJ

A: The damage to the packaging decreases the collectible value significantly. I'd say the value of this piece "as is" is probably $10-12.

Q: We're wondering what the value may be on a 1997 1:25th scale Dale Earnhardt Goodwrench Service/Wheaties Trackside Collection from Brookfield Collectors Guild. It is still in the original, unopened box with viewing panels and includes the No. 3 1997 Monte Carlo (in orange with the Wheaties logo on the hood and Goodwrench on the rear quarter panels and tail section as the primary sponsors), matching Chevy crew cab and 5th wheel show car trailer with the certificate of authenticity from Brookfield. The box states it is from a limited edition of 10,000.

Also in the original packaging is a 1:18th scale 1997 Monte Carlo Texas Special Inaugural Car from Revell. It has a lot of detail with the usual working hood, trunk and steering plus ignition wiring, fuel line, distributor, instrument panel and other detail features. The box and stand note the model is from a run of 5,004 to commemorate the first running of the Interstate Batteries 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 6, 1997. Thanks for also helping on a value for this one. -- Frank Troglione

A: I'd say $150-200 on the Brookfield set, and $50-65 on the Revell Texas car.

Q: I have a Wally Dallenbach 1:64 scale 1999 Monte Carlo Budweiser No. 25 stock car. It says it has a production quantity of 10,008. Can you tell me what the value is? -- Shannon

A: It is a fairly common car valued at around $10.

Q: I have an Alan Kulwicki Case XX Racing Series knife. It is in a sealed pack with a MAXX race card made in 1993. It has 1992 Winston Cup Champion and a picture and his name on the handle on the blade it has his signature and the No. 7. Is there any value to this? -- DCPeg

A: This was a mass-produced knife. It is likely worth $30-45.

Q: I have a 1997 Jeff Gordon Winners Circle Starting Lineupfigurine in it's original packaging. There is no car in this offering (never was). Any ideas? -- Toth Family

A: These are neat collectibles and not nearly as appreciated as they should be on the secondary market. I'd place the value at $10-14.