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 heard your interview on the NASCAR Collector radio show and heard you talk about Ryan Newman's win in the Daytona 500 adding to his status in collectibles. What other accomplishments help? How does winning at Daytona compare to winning a championship -- Lee Abernathy

A: Lee, thanks for listening to the show. That was one of the most fun things I've done in a long time. In my opinion, there are three accomplishments that can push a driver to the next level in the collectibles market: his first win, a championship, and a win in the Daytona 500. I think the effects of all three are about equal. But in some ways, I think the first win and a Daytona 500 win give a quicker and more significant jolt because of the sense of urgency. When a guy wins a championship, it is usually narrowed down to two or three contenders before it happens. So it is no huge surprise. And those guys have usually already established themselves in the market pretty well. Plus, the season is over, which means there is trackside selling for a couple of months. A first win or a Daytona 500 win generates some "right now" excitement that a driver can climb aboard right then and ride for awhile. Newman, for example, has all season to enjoy the fruits-and that includes collectibles sales--of his victory.

Q: My mother and father and I were the grand prize winners of a trip to Dover Downs in the '80's. While there, Neil Bonnett presented us with a Budweiser racing jacket that he pulled from his car. We have pictures of him presenting the jacket to us right on the racetrack, as well as his autograph and the original letter from the radio company that offered this grand prize. Would you be able to tell us the value of these items together: the jacket, the pictures, and the autograph?-- Lou

A: Lou, this is one of the reasons Neil Bonnett will always be my favorite NASCAR driver of all time. He treated fans like they were the celebrities and he was just a regular guy. There are a lot of people in the sport today-drivers and otherwise---who could learn a lot from Neil. As you might already know, most of the value lies in the autograph. I would put the value of all the items at $150-200.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale Dale Earnhardt Action car. Can you please tell me about what it's worth and should I hang onto it? It has a purple, black & gray box with silver sticker on it. On sticker it has Dale Earnhardt No. 3 GM Goodwrench Service Plus / 1999 Monte Carlo 1 of 2,508. Inside this box it swings open and has a black box with a picture of Dale Sr, Under picture it says Dale Earnhardt GM Goodwrench Service Plus. Inside very nicely wrapped in tissue paper and set into a foam two piece box is the black car. It is a bank and the key has never been taken off it..I really wanted the same one that you could look into the windows and see everything: steering wheel, seats roll bars, window, cage, the works. But the man who owned the store said that the bank one would be worth a lot more because mine said how many there are out there. Mine has tinted windows. I said 2,508 was a lot. But he said the car that you could see into the only way to tell how many they made was to write to the company and find out how many were made. Mine on the other hand he said that if everyone at the race track wanted to buy one there would not be enough cars made and then he said how many race tracks are there out there. So how much is mine worth? -- Tommy

A: I'd place the current value of your bank at $175-235. The clear window banks are worth a little less.

Q: How much is an autographed 8" X 10" picture of Davey Allison worth? -- Cheryl

A: Cheryl, I hope you got the picture in person and had the opportunity to meet Davey. He was a real class act. One of the things I remember about him was that he was always so polite to fans. The true value of your photo is in the autograph. I would appraise it at $100-125.

Q: I have a 1999 two dollar Daytona 500 instant lottery ticket that is unscratched and I was wondering how much it is worth?-Shirley

A: A unique collectible here. I would place the current value at around $10.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale Richard Petty 1970 Plymouth Superbird from the Franklin Mint. It is in mint condition and I still have the ordinal box it came in. Do you have any idea as too how much it is worth?--Dean

A: A great piece, Dean. I'd value it at $150-200

Q: I have a life size stand-up poster (6' 1") of Dale Jr. wearing a firesuit: redtop with Bud King of Beers across chest, black pants with red stripes down sides with Budweiser in white, black and white strips on arms. It also has Budweiser down left arm. He is holding a black helmet (not full face) in left hand and gloves in right hand. Any idea what value is? -- Frank

A: Frank, stand-ups used to bring really big money. They have all dropped off a lot in recent years, but Dale Jr. stand-ups are still pretty pricey. I would think yours would likely be worth $50-85.

Q: I have a piece of Richard Petty's last car raced in the Daytona 500 in 1992. It is on a wooden plaque with a picture of the car. It came with a VHS tape showing how the car was cut up after the race. It is No. 851 of 1992. I was just wondering how much it may be worth. I still have the VHS tape and an autographed picture of Richard that came with the plaque. -- Mike Howard

A: I don't know what this item sold for new. But based on what I've seen similar items sell for, I'd place the collectible value at $150-300.

Q: I have a set of three 1996 Kellogg's cereal boxes featuring the cars of Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jarrett. Placed side-by-side, they form a picture. What are they worth? -- The Rutledge Family

A: This three-pack was actually released in 1997. Its value is around $30, give or take a few bucks.

Q: My nine-year-old son recently won a die-cast car. It is a replica of JR Motorsports No. 17 Chevy Camaro. It was autographed across the hood by Dale Jr. I believe the car itself was one of the 'paver program' cars.(This was from the pit board charity website.) Does it have any value, or can I let him carry it everywhere to show it off? -- Beth

A: Any Dale Jr. collectible is worth something-especially if it is autographed. My suggestion would be to take good care of it and not let it become weathered. It could be worth a lot some day.