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 cover that I got at Talladega in 1984. It is the 1983 Championship Miller American No. 22 of Bobby Allison. This was later autographed on the number by Bobby ( about 10 years later). It is very heavy with a lot of felt padding. It is in Excellent Condition. The only reason that I do not say Mint condition is that it is dirty and in need of cleaning. I am not sure about how to go about having this done. The padding also has one small tear about one and a half Inches long. I assume that this was done from taking it on and off of the car. The tear does not go through the outer shell. The cover looks exactly like the 1983 car was painted.

Can you tell me: 1. How to have it cleaned? 2. What the value of this is? 3. Do very many people have the fortune of owning something like this? 4. Is there a place that I could put it on loan for the world to see? -- Ricky DiMarco

A: Ricky, this is a great piece of racing history. I dopn't know of many of these being kept as collectibles, and there is not really a secondary market, per se. Which make appraising it kind of tough. Personally, I'd place the value in the $500-850 range. A die-hard collector with an appreciation for history might pay more. As far as how to clean it, man, I'm doing good to handle a load of laundry a week. You'd most likely need to speak with someone who sells or manufacturers car covers or canvas tarps. And as for displaying it, you might want to get in touch with the NASCAR Hall of Fame, International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega, or my buddy Alex Beam at Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville, NC.

Q: I have one of the few track credentials that were given to media and guests for the June 1992 Goodyear tire test at Indy. This is the actual first time stock cars were ever allowed at the hallowed track two years before the first Brickyard 400. I was there for both days of testing and I was able to get my credential signed by all nine of the NASCAR drivers there.

I also was able to have my "ABC Sports" ball cap autographed by all nine drivers and A.J. Foyt. The drivers there were Dale Earnhardt Sr., Davey Allison, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip, Ernie Irvan, Kyle Petty, and Ricky Rudd. I have photos of each of the drivers and me together and also of A.J. Foyt wearing Chocolate Myers gas mans uniform in order to drive the GM Goodwrench Chevy around the track.

I would like to have an approximate value for both the credential and the ball cap. I also have a second credential that does not have any autographs on it, but it does have a crease where someone folded it. Any ideas on what that might be worth? -- Bob G.

A: Personally, I'd place the current value of the credential at $50-65. It will appreciate steadily in years to come. Based on the value of the autographs, the cap should be worth $350-500.

Q: I have an MPC authentic NASCAR Series Petty Charger 1:25 scale model kit still in the box. Can you assist with the value of this item? -- The Cravens

A: These old MPC kits are among the best early NASCAR models. There were actually three releases of Petty Chargers. All are worth $150-175.

Q: I have a 1990 Rusty Wallace No. 27 Miller Genuine Draft sticker with the race schedule on the back. Is it worth anything? I know that was the only year that Rusty raced in the No. 27 Draft car. Any information on this sticker would be helpful. -- Yvonne

A: This is a neat keepsake that won't have any real value until it gets a bit older. Right now, it's worth under 10 bucks.

Q: I have a poster from an old ('78 or '79) Hot Rod magazine/The Racer's Edge that is approx. 16" x 23" of the 'guts' of Richard Petty's No. 43 Pontiac. It was autographed by him the day he won a race in the car at Michigan Speedway. Can you give me a value? I have cardboard behind it but it is not attached to the board. -- Brian Curtis

A: This was a very popular Hot Rod insert poster. It is actually from 1983. It is probably worth around $100.

Q: I have a Volunteer 400 program from 1977, with Darrell Waltrip's, Cale Yarborough's and Benny Parsons' autographs. Also a 1977 Wilkes 400 with a Neil Bonnett autograph. I also have a Daytona 500 from 1978 program. In this program there is a full page picture of Lee Petty, Richard Petty, and Kyle Petty. With all three autographs. How much are they worth? -- RJKLBrown

A: The Bristol program, with autographs, should be worth $135-165 in terms of collectibility. So would the Daytona publication. The North Wilkesboro program should weigh in at around $100.

Q: I have a program from the 1994 Pepsi 400 that still has the Dale Earnhardt, Sr.'s car patch on it. The program has been looked at but is still in decent condition. Any idea of its value?--Penny Nelson

A: It is worth $20-25.

Q: I have recently (about 3 months ago) started a 1:24 scale die-cast NASCAR collection. I see cars from all different manufacturers, Team Caliber, Winner's Circle, Action, etc. Could you let me know which one of these manufacturers would hold the most value?

In my current collection of 37 cars I mainly have Team Caliber and Action and Motorsports Authentics. I started my collection on NASCAR.com auctions buying cars of drivers that I liked (or simply liked the car) not knowing if any of the cars held any kind of value. Lately though, I have just been buying cars from the NASCAR.com Superstore for this year, trying to get the different paint schemes for the season. Is this a wise way to go from a collector's standpoint or should I be taking a different approach. -- Garth Snow

A: Ok, first of all, there is no Action or Team Caliber anymore. The two brands were merged into Motorsports Authentics. Of cars produced before the merger, Action cars hold their value a tad better than Team Caliber. Motorsports Authentics cars hold their value well. And yes, the NASCAR.com Superstore is an excellent source. Our on line store is one of the very first to offer new die-casts.

Q: I have Jeff Gordon's Winner's Circle 1990 Diet Pepsi midget car in mint condition. Is it worth anything? -- Dan N

A: A good car as far as Winner's Circle pieces go. It is worth $15-18.

Q: I was wondering if you could give me an appraisal on a piece of sheetmetal that I had signed by Jeff Gordon. It is off one of the cars he ran in 2005, driver's side, back by the wheelwell, where the Pepsi logo is. The piece is about 8" by 11 1/2" and he signed it in gold paint pen on blue background. -- Pat Simone

A: With the autograph, it should be worth $125-200 in terms of collectible value.