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 1963 Racing Pictorial in very good condition with the following autographs: Fred Lorenzen, Tiny Lund, Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, Joe Weatherly, Bobby Johns, Rex White, Darel Dieringer, Jim Paschal, David Pearson, Nelson Stacy, Ned Jarrett, Buck Baker, Billy Wade, Jack Smith, Jimmy Pardue, Lee Roy Yarborough, Cale Yarborough, Paul Goldsmith. I got all of these personally as a kid growing up in Virginia with my dad. Any idea of the value? -- Ron

A: Ron, this is one of the best collectibles I've heard about in a long time. The magazine alone is worth $40-50. But what a collection of signatures! Of course, many of those legendary racers are no longer with us. Usually, having a bunch of autographs on one item tends to trim a little value off each signature when you add them all together. But that is definitely not the case with this all-star line-up. Appraised individually, those autographs are worth a total of $1200-1500.

Q: My husband has acquired some NASCAR memorabilia from the early 1990s. One appears to be a poster of uncut collectors cards from Action Packed Co. from 1993. It looks as though the cards would be folded in half with the driver or car picture on one side and stats and description on the other side. The pictures are embossed. He also has a card featuring The Young Guns from 1993: Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte and Kenny Wallace. The other two are a 1991 Maxx Alan Kulwicki card and a 1991 Speedway Alan Kulwicki card with his No. 7 Hooters car. All the cards are in cases. Any ideas on what if anything any of these might be worth? -- Donna and Wes

A: The uncut sheet is likely worth $25-35. The Young Guns card is valued at $3-4. The Kulwicki cards are pretty common, worth $1 at most.

Q: I have a three coin collection of Legacy of Champions Coins. I was hoping to find out how much these are worth as a collectible. I have researched the silver part. The Silver alone is worth $300 each. I would really hate to sell these just for the silver. I would love to have them go to some one who would appreciate them for what they are. Can you help? -- Shawn

A: Honestly Shawn, from what I've been seeing these coins go for, most of the value is in the silver itself. They just never were that big of a hit with most NASCAR collectors.

Q: I have two 12 oz. "Sun-drop" soft drink bottles (empty) that have Dale Earnhardt on the label. Do you have any idea what the value of these are?-- Keith

A: The fact that they are empty give the value a pretty good beating. Full, they'd be worth $25-30 each. Empty, I'd place the value at $6-10.

Q: I have an 1998 Dale Earnhardt Coca-Cola bottle with the soda in it. It's also signed by Dale. How much is it worth? -- Learon

A: If the signature can be authenticated, the value of the signed bottle would be $100-150.

Q: My mom has a 1996 Richard Petty STP 25th Anniversary coin bank car with a Bobby Hamilton signature in original box. Do you know the value so I may pass this info on to her? -- Don in Myrtle Beach , S.C

A: Don, this is a great bank-especially with the autograph. Bobby Hamilton was a great guy who is sorely missed. This bank was made by Action and there were 2500 produced. With the autograph, it is worth $85-100.

Q: I have a Dale Earnhardt 24K Gold Signature Card still in the box. The logo on the stand is Park Place. The Logos on the back of the card are Press Pass and Authentic Images. The card is 3.25x.5.50 and is encased in acrylic. I can't find this item anywhere on line. Could you help me out with its value? -- Jeff Pierce

A: Jeff, these were produced as part of one of Press Pass' most exclusive programs. Several drivers were featured, including Earnhardt and Mark Martin. I would place the value of the Earnhardt card in the $50-80 range.

Q: I have a 2002 Ricky Rudd Head Knockers/Coca Cola Racing Family bobblehead made by Neca. The figure itself stands about four inches tall. The front of the driver's uniform he is wearing is misprinted. It's supposed to read Motorcraft and says Motorcaft instead. I have never removed it from the box. What is the value? -- Tom

A: A pretty unique item here. And the Head Knockers name is kind of fitting, as Rudd is known as a guy who'd go toe-to-toe with anybody. I'd place the value at $15-25. The misprint doesn't have much effect on the appraisal.

Q: I'd like to know what these models are worth: a Petty No. 44 Grand Prix, a Bill Elliott No. 94 T-Bird and also an Elliott Black Thunderbat car, a Harry Gant Skoal Bandit No. 33 Monte Carlo SS and a Benny Parsons CopenhagenNo. 55 Monte Carlo. -- James

A: The Gant and Parsons kits are the most valuable. They are worth $50-75. The others fall in the $12-20 range.

Q: I have original documents of Gatorade's introduction as a first time sponsor for DiGard in Winston Cup Grand National Stock Car Racing--sponsoring Darrell Waltrip in the No. 88 Chevrolet in 1976. There are 21 pages of Winston cup history, information on car set ups, Darrell's prior purse winnings, brief info on crew members, biographies of Darrell and crew chief Mario Rossi. Many names are mentioned in conversation documented on how the whole deal came together to become a team, including: Bob Kruse, Jim Gardner, Richard Petty and many more. There are also original pictures of Mario Rossi And Darrell Waltrip, and two fan cards. With this is a booklet all about Gatorade All of this is in mint condition and is only taken out with gloves and remains in jacket sleeves at all times. The Gatorade paper folder that this all came in is the only thing that is not in mint condition it is ripped down the middle but in good condition other wise. I have asked many times on how much this would be considering that is Darrell's original personal files. It was personally given to the person who gave it to me by Darrell himself. He had mentioned at the time for it to be taken care of because no one else will have one like it. Could you please tell me what this would be worth. -- Dennis

A: Dennis, this is an extremely collectible vintage press kit from an era when very few teams even had them. With the damage, I'd place the collectible value of the press kit at around $35-50. The two fan cards-if they are what collectors commonly refer to as postcards or handouts--are worth another $20-30 each. If not for the tear, I'd place the value of the actual press kit higher.