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 print of Dale Earnhardt titled "The Man" by Jeanne Barnes. It is hand signed by her and numbered 211 / 500. I believe I read somewhere years ago that this likeness of him was his favorite. Can you give me some idea what the value might be. I paid $250 framed and matted about 10 or 11 years ago. I have no intention of ever selling it. I have never seen another one except for the one that was hanging on the wall by the commentators during his memorial. -- Rusty Dossett

A: Rusty, this is one of my favorite artworks. And like you, I heard from several sources that this was Dale's personal favorite as well. You never see this print changing hands on the secondary market. If someone has it, they won't part with it. Personally, I would place the collectible value in the $850-1000 range, but I'll be there's someone out there who'd be willing to pay twice that.

Q: I have a 1997 Racing Champions 1:64 Terry Labonte car with the 1996 champion in a circle on the roof. It is in mint condition in package, and it is in chrome. There were 19,996 produced and 833 produced in chrome. What is this chrome car worth?--Fourth Turn

A: Great car here. I'd put the value at around $100, give or take $15-20.

Q: I have a piston head that came from Jeff Gordon's ChromaPremier car that won the Busch Clash on Feb. 9th, 1997. It is autographed by Jeff. The engine builder was Charlie Seager. Any idea on it's worth? -- Carl Sanborn

A: Now this is what I call a true collectible. It wasn't made to be one, it just came to be collectible because of circumstances. Because of the autograpng AND the historical significance, I'd place the collectible value of this piece in the $250-350 range.

Q: I have a Richard Petty Superbird in 1:64 scale by Racing Champions. It is from the Racing Superstars series. It has a little car stand and a card with Richard's picture still in the blister packaging. Was wondering what it might be worth. -- Mike from IL.

A: These cars were super hot when first released in 1991. I can remember some hitting $40 on the secondary market. They've leveled off a lot; probably in the $10-14 range.

Q: I have a Frost Cutlery knife. It commemorates the 1998 Daytona 500 win by Dale Earnhardt. The serial number on it is 353. I was wondering how many were made and how much it could be worth. I am attaching a picture of the knife. -- Keith

A: Keith, Frost made 1000 of these knives. They have held their value extremely well. It should be worth around $200, give or take $25.

Q: A few years back I bought a 1:2 scale, I believe, Simpson Dale Earnhardt open-faced helmet. I was able to have Dale sign it at an event at the local Chevy dealer a year or so later. What kind of value can you place on this?-John

A: John, these were made in three sizes: 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. It's sometimes hard to distinguish the difference unless you have them side-by-side. If you have the 1:2 scale, with autograph, it should be worth $250-300--maybe a tad more.

Q: I have a six-pack carton of Coca-Cola bottles, still full, from the 1995 Winston Cup Championship with Jeff Gordon logo, picture on the carton, Jeff's autograph on each bottle. Everything is original. Can you tell me the approximate worth of this? -- Whatsyourdream2

A: It is really cool that you still have an entire carton. I'd place the value at $30-40.

Q: I have a red Winston Cup Series cap with Dale Earnhardt's Autograph across the brim. How much do you think it's worth?--Sherwood P. Creech

A: Most of the value is in the autograph. If the signature can be authenticated, the cap should be worth $150-200

Q: I have a Racing Champions F-16 Falcon 1:32 scale die cast plane (it's actually classified as a bank, hold change but never has) that says six-time champion on it. Obviously it's a 1993. It's in Big E's colors. What would that be worth? -- Jason

A: One of my favorites here. However, the last one of these I saw sold went for under $25 on an internet auction site. I don't think that is a true indicator of its value, though. In terms of collectibility, I think it is still worth around $100, give or take $20.

Q: I have an Action 1:24 Scale Stock Car Limited Edition. It has never been taken out of the box. The label on the end of the box says No. 8 Budweiser 2004 Monte Carlo. I also have a Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament of Dale Earnhardt, dated 2000. This has also never been opened. What would these two items be worth?-Doreen

A: There we a bunch of variations of '04 Junior cars, so let's just say the value is probably in the $75-100 range. The Hallmark ornament is a neat piece. It should be worth $35-50 now.

Q: I have an Erlt/White Rose Racing Past & Present Transporter. It's a Dale Earnhardt yellow & blue Wrangler truck. It has never been out of box, and it's just like new. Any idea of the value? -- RLB

A: The White Rose guys did a lot of neat stuff back in the '90s. They are sorely missed by racing collectors. This is a very sought-after truck. In mint condition, I think it would be worth $120-140.