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 was just wondering if you could price one die-cast for me: a 2001 Action 1:24 scale Dale Earnhardt No. 1 IROC True Value/Make-a-Wish Firebird -- TransamBabe

A: A nice piece of history here, but not a high-dollar car. It is worth around $50, give or take 10 bucks.

Q: I was recently given a jacket that has Banjo's Performance Center on the back. It is dark blue, a satin like material, baseball type jacket with orange and white lettering. I lived in Asheville, NC for most of my life and of course knew Banjo Matthews and what he contributed to racing. I would expect this jacket came from the late 70's maybe early 80's from the style. It is in excellent condition and I have it displayed with the rest of my large collection. Any idea of the value on an item like this?--Lisa

A: Lisa, I usually don't put a lot of collectable value on apparel, but I'll make an exception here for two reasons. First, that wasn't a super mass-produced jacket you could buy off every souvenir trailer or at every racing collectibles store. And second, I think that is just one totally cool jacket, and I would have given my eye teeth for one back in the day. Considering Banjo's status in the sport and the fact that the company is no longer in business, I think this jacket would be worth $50-100.

Q: I have most of the NASCAR comics issued by Vortex. I have the first print issue of Bill Elliot that had the $1.50 price on it. I also have the complete set of comics with the holograms on the cover. Any idea what these may be worth? -- Ronnie

A: Excellent collectibles here. The first Elliott comic is worth about $25. The other Elliott issues range from $10-15. Most of the other Vortex comics are worth $5-10 depending on the issue.

Q: I have a 1994 Harry Gant 1:43 scale die-cast. It has the Skoal Bandit logos on the car; never opened. Do you know what the value of this car is? -- Kyle

A: This is a Racing Champions car. The Skoal logos push the value of this car to $25-40, maybe a little more to someone needing to complete a collection.

Q: I have a 2000 Revell Collection Dale Earnhardt Jr 1:24 Budweiser car bank set 1 of 3,333, and a Dale Earnhardt Sr. No. 2375 of 3,333 Revell Collection Club 2000 Taz car. I was wondering if these cars have any value. -- Curious in Thunder Bay

A: Both of those collectibles are worth somewhere in the $100-125 range.

Q: I have an ARC Jeff Gordon Wright Bros car from the All-Star Race a couple of years ago. How much is it worth? - Kenton

A: A garden variety die-cast here, worth $50-75 in terms of collectibility.

Q: I have a 1:24 scale K-2 car Dale Earnhardt car. Could you tell me its value?--Wes

A: The collectible value of that car tops out at $90-100.

Q: I'm hoping you can give me an idea as to if a car I picked up in 1997 is worth anything. It is a 1:24 scale Dale Earnhardt ACDelco Monte Carlo from the Japan race. It is one of 15,000 from Brookfield Collectors Guild. The box is in very good condition and I don't believe the car has ever been out of the box, making the car in excellent condition. I'm not a real collector of model cars and this car was given to me as a present being that I followed Earnhardt and NASCAR for many years. I'm not sure that I would want to sell the car, but you never know. I've been wondering about the value, if any for a number of years and I hope you can give me some kind of an idea. -- Jeff

A: I'm a big fan of these Brookfield cars and sets. Back in the 1990s, Ken Dahlke and his team put out some really great collectibles. This is a neat car, but unfortunately, it doesn't carry a ton of value. I'd appraise it for around $50, give or take a few bucks.

Q: I have a No. 36 Ernie Irvan Racing Champions 1:64 scale 24k gold plated Precious Metals car that has never been opened. It is 1 of 9,999. Any value? -- Jerry

A: A nice car but nothing outrageous in the value department. I'd say it's worth an average of about $12.

Q: I have an Action Platinum Series 16-car 1:64 scale set of Dale Earnhardt that I got over 10 years ago. I can't find anything online about it. It consists of:

1978 Monte Carlo No. 98
1980 Mike Curb Olds 442 No. 2
1980 Mike Curb Monte Carlo No. 2
1981 Wrangler Pontiac No. 2
1982 Wrangler Thunderbird No. 15
1983 Wrangler Thunderbird No. 15
1984 Wrangler Monte Carlo No. 3
1986 Wrangler Monte Carlo fastback No. 3
1988 Goodwrench Monte Carlo fastback No. 3
1988 Goodwrench Monte Carlo fastback Busch car No. 8
1988 Goodwrench ASA Camaro No. 3
1989 Lowe's Food Pontiac No. 3
1990 Goodwrench Lumina No. 3
1995 Goodwrench Monte Carlo Silver Select No. 3
1996 Goodwrench Monte Carlo No. 3
1996 Olympic Monte Carlo No. 3

All the cars are in a clear case and have the fact sheet about all the cars in the case. I would like to know about how much it is worth and the best place to place it for sale. If someone could email me I would appreciate it. -- Brian

A: Brian, as sets go, this is one of the best. A few years ago, it appraised for around $500. It has dropped a bit since then. In fact, I've seen a few sets sold for $100 or less. But personally, I'd still put the collectible value up there in the $175-275 range.