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 several photos and T-shirts signed by Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon. I was wondering how to go about getting them authenticated. I have photos of these items being signed by the drivers that were taken by me and my wife.--John Lawson

A: The photos are about the best you can do unless you can get a statement from witnesses or get the driver to sign a notarized saying they signed it-which is kind of confusing and not very likely to happen.

Q: I have a 1995 Mark Martin bank made by Racing Champions. I was wondering how much one of these is worth? It's still in the box, though the box isn't in perfect shape. Also it was a limited run of 5000. I figure if it's not worth much I was going to give it to the kids to use.-Steve

A: This bank doesn't carry a ton of value. About $20-25 is all it's worth.

Q: I have 1:64 scale Earnhardt Family three-car set by Revell. The certificate of authenticity certifies that the tin includes die-cast replicas of Ralph Earnhardt's '69 Camaro, Dale Earnhardt's Goodwrench 2000 Talladega win Monte Carlo, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Budweiser 2000 Texas win Monte Carlo. I can't find a value anywhere. What is this set worth?-Jay

A: Jay, I love this set. This is the car I best remember Ralph Earnhardt driving when I watched him race as a teenager. This set has a collectible value of around $50, give or take five bucks.

Q: I have a card from Press Pass that my wife bought for me for my birthday. It has Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Neil Bonnett sitting down and resting against Dale's car each drinking a Sun Drop at Daytona while both are wearing race suits. The caption reads "Good Ole Boys". It is autographed by both and in mint condition. It is sealed in a acrylic plastic card case. It is my prize possession. What might it be worth? I need it add it to my home owners policy.--Jerry Tucker

A: If both autographs can be authenticated, I personally would place the value in the $200-275 range.

Q: We have a No. 3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nilla Wafers inflated car. It is four feet in length. It was a grocery store display. My son received this years ago from my brother who was working part time in a local grocery store. He wants to make a little money to buy something for himself and we wondered if this might have any value? Sadly, we are not NASCAR fans - despite living in the the heart of NASCAR country if it has some value any suggestions on where he might have some luck selling it?-Melinda

A: This is a neat item. eBay would probably be your best bet for getting a decent price.

Q: What is the value of a racing program from the 1969 Daytona 500?-Jamie

A: Wow. I remember this race very well. LeeRoy Yarborough, driving Junior Johnson's No. 98 Ford Talladega, pulled a classic slingshot maneuver to get around Chargin' Charlie Glotzbach, in Cotton Owen's No. 6 Dodge, to get the win. The program from that race is worth $50-65.

Q: I have an Davey Allison autographed official program from the winner's circle of the 1992 Daytona 500 along with the tickets from the race. What is it worth?-- L.S. Carper

A: Most of the value is attributable to Davey's autograph. I'd say it is worth $125-150.

Q: I have a 1:25 scale Limited Edition 1994 die-cast 1937 Chevrolet Convertible Dale Earnhardt coin bank with lock in mint condition-still in box with wrapping. What is it worth? -- Nikki Howard

A: This is a great piece that has been largely overlooked because it wasn't made by one of the bigger NASCAR die-cast companies. It was produced by Liberty Classics. I would put the value at $75-150.

Q: I have a Mark Martin upper deck Magic Numbers card. It has "an authentic piece of a race used decal obtained from a car driven by Mark Martin during the 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Season" built into the card. The card is much thicker than most cards bacause of this piece of race decal. This is part of what is written on the back of the card. It is in mint condition. I have been trying to find out how much it may be worth but can't find anywhere that has this particular card for sale. Do you know what it is worth?--Michael Claxton

A: This is a good solid card. It is worth $35-50 in mint condition.

Q: I have a 1:24 Revell No. 3 Dale Earnhardt Olympic/Goodwrench car. It has a notarized certificate of authenticity stating that it is one of 2000 signed by Earnhardt on June 2, 1997. What is it worth? -- Chainedlightning

A: Signed, the car should be worth $200-260.