Q&A: More precious metal

January 30, 2002
3:11 PM EST (2011 GMT)

Die-cast replicas have proven to be the signature collectibles of the NASCAR memorabilia craze. From the serious collector to the casual race fan, everybody loves die-cast. So, we weren't surprised that most of our questions deal with these miniature reproductions.

We posed this week's round of inquiries to David Wilson, of Des Moines, Iowa. David has been collecting all types of die-cast since the mid-1960s. He is a former die-cast dealer who is now content to enjoy his hobby as "just a collector." You can bet he has a firm finger on the pulse of the market. Here are David's observations about some of your favorite collectibles:

Q: Can you give me some information about a 1997 No. 31 Wrangler Action 1:24 die-cast car of Dale Jr.? There were 10008 made according to the sticker of authenticity which was dated 1997. I bought one and it didn't have sticker tires and the outside box was labeled as a 1998 Action product. Is this correct or did I get ripped off? - Stuart Huff

A: Everything is fine with your car. Earnhardt Jr. raced that car in 1997, but it was not replicated in die-cast until 1998.

Q: I purchased the 1992 Ford Thunderbird Baby Ruth Jeff Gordon car made by Revell for RCI and I would like to know its current value. - Christy Betts

A: Right now, most experts would value that car at $500-600. It was up to $700-800 at one time, but has since leveled off.

Q: I have a Brookfield Collectors Guild Dale Earnhardt Wrangler Trackside set: dually truck, open trailer and car with the certificate of authenticity, autographed. The set is from 1998 and is one of 3508 sets. How much would this item be worth? - Daniel Lowery, Kerville, TX

A: This is a beautiful set. It should be worth $125-150.

Q: I have a 1:32 scale 1998 production 50th Anniversary Dale Earnhardt Silver Select 1995 Monte Carlo. It is from the Action Platinum Series. The die-cast is still like new and in the box. Under the hood there is a RCR Museum label. Does this label make this model special from any other 1998 production and what would its value be? - Joe Cash, Rolfe, IA

A: This car was produced exclusively for the RCR Museum. It books for around $150 -- which is about three times the value of most standard 1:32 scale Action cars produced in 1998.

Q: What is the value of a 1992 Kulwicki 1:64 Matchbox Hooters Ford? -Winn Andrews, West Columbia, SC

A: This car has appreciated in value, but not at the rate most people would expect. It's worth about $25.

Q: I have a 1998 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1:24 scale car. It is the No. 1 black Coca-Cola car he raced with his father in Japan. The hood has the Coke polar bear holding a Coke bottle. Any ideas on what it is worth? -Bob Collins, Baltimore, MD

A: There were a lot of these cars produced. Hence, the value of the standard Action car is only $50-60.

Q: What is a 1:64 scale racing Champions Richard Petty 50th Anniversary 1970 Plymouth Superbird worth? - Tony, Byhalia, MS

A: This is probably one of the most popular cars ever produced on The King. It is still pretty easy to find, so its value at the present time is somewhere in the neighborhood of $15.

Q: I have a 1996 Earnhardt Revell 1:24 die-cast Monte Carlo with the Atlanta Olympic Torch on the hood. The car is in red, white, and blue stripes with stars. What is the value of this car? - Kim, Stanley, VA.

A: That car books for around $150. But realistically, I'd place the value at around $125.

Q: Recently, I have been looking for the set of Jeff Gordon Racing Champions Track Wins Cars and have noticed that some come with Motorsports Traditions stickers and some come with Winston Cup Series stickers on the case. What is the difference and how does that affect the price that I should pay for these cars? - Mike, North Liberty, IA

A: The difference is that one group of cars was marketed by Motorsports Traditions, a prominent racing collectibles and souvenir business in the early 1990s. Basically, there is no difference in price.