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 brand new, never opened, still sealed, Gold 1:64 scale 1998 Ted Musgrave No. 16 - Primstar Transporter Truck with stock car. The box says it's 1 of 1500 ever made - called the Reflection in Gold series, made by Racing Champions. The serial number is on the bottom of the truck - however, I can't read it without opening the box and I don't want to do that. It's in absolutely excellent condition. Can you tell me if this is rare and how much it might be worth ? - Stephen

A: A fairly common piece, it is value at around $25-30.

Q: I have a life-size cardboard picture of Dale Earnhardt that was autographed by him the year he passed away. I am thinking of selling it but not sure what it's worth.-George

A: This standup, autographed, is likely worth $150-200.

Q: I have a 1:64 and 1:24 die-cast Craftsman Truck Series trucks signed by Bobby Hamilton at the Silverado 350 at Texas Motor Speedway. They were both promos from BHR/SquareD. Also, I have the ticket from the race signed by Bobby Hamilton as well. It's from the year before he won the championship. Would you know what value the items may hold?-Harry

A: With the autograph, the 1:24 car is worth about $80-85; the 1:64 is worth $70-75. The ticket is worth $45-50.

Q: I was wanting to ask you about two items I have in my collection. Living in Northern Ireland has limited my collecting somewhat but I am now getting round this. Firstly I have a NASCAR Winner's Circle Puzz3D Puzzle from Hasbro. It is of the 1999 GM Goodwrench Monte Carlo of Dale Earnhardt. The box has never been opened and still has the sealed plastic around the box. The box is absolutely mint and has no marks or creases anywhere.

The second item is a Racing Champions 24K Gold 1:64th 50th Anniversary Monte Carlo, Serial No. 11571 of 12,500 produced. It has '98 on each side and has the 50th Anniversary logo on both the roof and the trunk. The hood also opens. It comes in a soft but very sturdy presentation box that has a 50th Anniversary logo on the outside and has "Monte Carlo", the Chevrolet bowtie emblem, Racing Champions 24K Gold logo, and NASCAR 50th Anniversary logo on the inside. Also inside the box is a 24 Karat Certificate Of Authenticity card.-Ronan

A: That puzzle is a great collectible that you seldom see anymore. I would appraise it at $35-45. It will likely appreciate significantly in the future. The Racing Champions car would be worth $15-25.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale Jeff Gordon Retro Rainbow paint scheme that was made by Action Performance in 2004. The car was signed by Jeff across the hood and is in mint condition. What is it worth?-Landon

A: The car alone is worth $50-75. Add $35-40 for the signature.

Q: I have received as gifts the following: two autographed Chad Little Press Pass cards from the beginning of the '99 season, also an autographed and personalized (on the box) 1:24 scale die cast Grand Prix from the '97 season (pre Roush!), as well as a (much treasured) autographed 160th anniversary of John Deere Revell Grand Prix in 1:43rd scale. Any ideas as to value? I'm not interested in selling, but these pieces do mean a lot to me personally.--Mark Hill

A: The two cards are worth around $25 each. Assuming the signed 1:24 scale car is an Action piece, the value is $70-80. If it is a Racing Champions car, the value is around $40. The 1:43 scale Revell car is worth $25-35.

Q: Can you tell me anything about the value of a 1:64 Racing Champions 1995 Premier Edition NASCAR Super Truck Series by Craftsman? There is a collectable card behind the truck which has both Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon. The truck also sets on a gold stand which has "1995 Premier Edition" on it. On the back of the package is the 1995 NASCAR SuperTruck Series by Craftsman Television Schedule.--DM & DL Mead

A: This is a pretty neat truck replica. Unfortunately, it is only worth around $10.

Q: I found a die-cast car in my attic. It's in the original packaging and in really good conditions. The package is marked Racing Champions Inc, 1992 Collector's Edition, Tide Racing team. On the bottom the words Not for Sale appear. The car has the No. 5 and Ricky Rudd on it. I'm just curious if it's worth anything. -Bruce

A: Bruce, thanks for including the "Not For Sale" notation on the package. That identifies this as a Promo car, which is worth twice as much as the regular piece. However, it is still only worth around $10.

Q: I have the Dale Jr. Polar Bear show trailer and car and the Dale Sr Coca Cola show trailer and car from Brookfield Collectors Guild. They say limited addition 2500 made. They are 1:24 I believe and still in original packaging. Do you have any idea of their worth?--Todd K

A: The Dale Jr. set is probably worth $125-150. The Dale Sr. set would likely be worth $150-175

Q: I have a 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Flag used from Daytona through the October Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500. I waved the green flag that day and it is signed by all 43 drivers that made the race. If you could tell me how much it's worth that would be great.-Zack

A: Zack, this is a great one-of-a-kind (or close to it) piece. Here is the tricky part about appraising it... If you assigned the value based on the individual signatures of each driver, you'd probably come up with a figure much greater than most people would be willing to pay for it. There'd be a few hardcore collectors who would pay it, but most probably wouldn't. So, in the interest of "keeping it real," I'll put the value at $350-550. But I'll guarantee you there are folks who'd pay a lot more.