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 came across this badge at a yard sale. Can you tell me if this is a pit pass from the Daytona Speedway? It appears to be brass and has Autolite Spark Plugs and a serial number inscribed on it. It is dated February 1961. It has a pin latch on the back, is 2 3/8" long by 1 5/8" high. If it is not a pit pass, can you tell me what it is? -- Everett C. Bortz

A: This is a great collectible and one I had never seen before. I even asked a few older drivers about it, and they didn't remember it. But sometimes the most important thing about my job is knowing who to ask when you don't know yourself. So, I consulted longtime historian and collectibles aficionado Ken Breslauer. The author of the book "50 Years of Stock Car Racing: A History of Collectibles and Memorabilia," Ken is an expert of what I like to call incidental collectibles-items that weren't manufactured to be collectibles, but became collectible because of time and circumstances. Here is what Ken had to say about your badge, which is indeed a pit pass:

"Daytona issued these for a few years (as Indy 500 has done since 1938, a tradition that continues today), but I think 1961 was the last one they did before switching to cheap paper credentials with a plastic name badge at the top. Value for this one is usually in the $75-125 range."

Q: I heard that Press Pass was coming out with a set of cards based on the movie, "Dale." Is that true?

A: Yes, they should be on the market by the time you read this, give or take a couple of weeks. It's a must have set for the Earnhardt collector.

Q: I have a 2002 Action DEI 1:4 scale NASCAR engine autographed by Steve Park, Dale Jr., Michael Waltrip, Teresa Earnhardt and Action President Fred Wagenhals. There were 1,455 made, but only 455 were autographed. I have No. 149 of 455. What would it be worth? -- Don

A: Those engines have appreciated in value fairly well. With the autographs, and considering the drivers-especially Junior-are no longer in the fold, I'd place the value in the $600-850 range.

Q: I have 1993 Finish Line Davey Allison set. How much is it worth? -- Kurt

A: This 15-card set in mint condition is probably worth around $25.

Q: My father-in-law has asked me to research the value of two collectibles. He has an Alan Kulwicki Racing Champions bank and a 1976 Monte Carlo No. 30 Dale Earnhardt Army car. I tried to check the NASCAR.com archives for these and did not return anything with these specifics. If you could possibly let me know the value of these two or a website that can do that, I would greatly appreciate it. -- Lisha Prinkki

A: Lisha, Racing Champions made three Kulwicki banks. The most valuable is the 1992 Hooters bank, which is probably worth $175-200. The Kulwicki Zerex and Army banks are each worth $100 or less. The Earnhardt Army car, released in 1999, is actually a Chevrolet Malibu Laguna rather than a Monte Carlo. It was owned by Walter Ballard, and Earnhardt drove it in his second Cup start. The standard Action replica is worth around $100-140. The Elite version is worth about $100 more.

Q: I have a 1996 No. 27 Drivers Choice(Pinnacle Brand) Dale Earnhardt card. The back says Speedway Collection Artist's Proof. The front says 1996 RCR Enterprises No. 3 but it has a pic of Rusty Wallace's car. Can you tell me if it is a misprint and how much its worth? -- Matt

A: Misprints like this occur from time to time, though not as often today as back in the 1990s. Some types of errors add to the value of a card. Misprints don't-unless you are dealing with someone who is really into that type of thing. Personally, I think the misprint would cut the value of your card to under $5.

Q: I have a hardback book 9 1/2" x13" called "Dale Earnhardt Determined," copyright 1998. It is by Benny Phillips and Ben Blake. I bought this book and shipped it to Dale Earnhardt's Open House in 1999. He autographed it and it was sent back to me. It is in mint condition as I have kept it in its original packaging. I never plan to sell it and hope to be buried with it, but would like to know what the value is on it. -- Rena

A: Rena, I love this book. It is awesome. And as someone who grew up hanging out at the old Concord and Metrolina speedways watching Ralph and Dale Earnhardt race, it brought back a lot of memories. With the autograph, I think your book is worth $200-250.

Q: I have a 1971 Winston Cup Grand National Series tri-fold schedule with Miss Winston Cup on the back. It also has a Winston Cup Grand National Drivers sticker included and all is in the original plastic sleeve. I was wondering if you could give me a ballpark price on this. -- Seabird Bill

A: Great collectible here, Bill. And if you'll notice, the design of the logo on the driver's sticker was unique in that it was only used that one year, 1971. Unfortunately, in the collector market we know today, items like this don't carry the value they probably deserve. Regardless, I think this piece is worth around $20, give or take a few dollars. And in years to come, it will definitely gain value.

Q: I have an autographed Rob Moroso postcard. It was obtained during a charity softball event in Reading, PA between NASCAR and NHRA all stars in the late 80's or early '90's. What would such a card be worth? -- Jason Deitzel

A: What an amazing talent Rob Moroso was. This is a good solid collectible. With the signature, I'd place the collectible value at $75-100.

Q: I am trying to find the value of the Brookfield Dale Earnhardt Sr. Wheaties car and hauler. It is 1 of 10,000. If you can help, I'd appreciate it. -- Roger

A: In excellent to mint condition, that piece from 1997 should be worth $150-200.