• Discover the Best Buys in Automobilia

• Find Automobilia on eBay

• Buy Automobilia With Confidence

Discover the Best Buys in Automobilia

Discover the Best Buys in Automobilia

You can find an endless selection of automobilia online. In order to find real treasures (preferably at bargain prices), do your homework, buy what you like, and buy the best you can afford. As with cars or energy stocks, there's no guarantee that an investment in automobilia will increase in value. However, a few items have done well over the past few years and a couple under-performers show promise. Several types of automobilia may appreciate over the next five years.

• Lalique car mascot, 'Vitesse': The detail and finish of the 27 or so different glass automotive mascots that René Lalique produced in the late 1920s and early 1930s make them stand out as definitive works of automotive-related art. The appeal of Lalique car mascots, including Vitesse, extends beyond car collecting and their value tracks the economy.

• Stanley Wanlass bronze, 'Two Thoroughbreds': Stanley Wanlass produced automobile-themed bronze statues in the 1980s, but the market did not treat them kindly. 'Two Thoroughbreds', a piece from an edition of 50, features Phil Hill in the 1958 Le Mans-winning Ferrari Testa Rossa. You can typically find "Two Thoroughbreds" selling for less than half of its introductory price and you can expect its value to increase slightly over the next five years.

• Wayne 60 gas pumps: Deco-style gas pumps from the 1930s and 1940s appeal to all types of collectors. Restored, they make a handsome period companion to a vintage car collection. Your spouse may even let you put one in the rec room next to your restored Cavalier Coke vending machine. The style of Wayne 60 gas pumps lends itself to exaggerated restorations, leading to pumps far more flamboyant in appearance than when they were new. Wayne 60 gas pumps can command thousands of dollars, with unrestored pumps at the low end of the spectrum and professional restorations at the high end.

• Mobil restroom signs: In recent years, Mobil restroom signs have more than doubled in value and the appreciation curve is still on an upward trend. In all probability, Mobile restroom signs and other vintage restroom signs will continue to go up in value over the next five years.

• Franklin Mint 1/24 scale models: Franklin Mint 1/24 scale models provide a way for you to collect cars that fit on a shelf instead of in a 50-car garage. With production runs of 25,000 units or more, they also come with a price tag most collectors can afford; you can have 50 cars for less than the cost of having the wire wheels rebuilt on a Maserati 200S. In five years, you could get 50 cents on the dollar if you keep the original box and papers.

• Polly Gas 1 quart oil can: Gulf purchased Polly Gas, a brand name for the Wilshire Oil Company of Los Angeles, in 1957. The distinctive Polly name disappeared shortly thereafter. Poly Gas quart oil cans came in four slightly different designs and the minor variations do not affect the value. Condition is everything and Poly Gas oil cans in mint condition hold the most value.

• Michelin Tire mascot, 'Mr. Bibendum': People the world over recognize Mr. Bibendum, the Michelin Tire mascot of more than 104 years. 'Combat I'Obstacle' portrays Ol' Bib in a boxing pose and is one of four different automotive mascots offered over the years. Recorded sales have trended south in recent years, but will likely improve on current prices over the next few.

• Kelly Tire porcelain signs: Collectors of automotive memorabilia find Kelly Tire porcelain signs featuring Miss Lotta Miles — portrayed by a number of aspiring actresses over the 20 years Kelly Tires used the ad campaign — extremely desirable. Condition is the key ingredient, with quality porcelain signs and unrestored examples in excellent condition continuing to bring big bucks.

• Vintage license plates: As more states allow you to register collector cars with license plates that correspond to the year of the vehicle, the demand for unusual vintage license plates and low-number vintage license plates will drive the market. Competition comes from an active group of license plate collectors, so while an unusual vintage license plate may seem expensive now, it may double in value and seem like a good value in a few years.

• Harley-Davidson counter displays: Harley-Davidson riders once sported ponytails and tattoos, but now CEOs often trade their pinstriped suits for leathers on the weekends. As the Harley-Davidson demographic changed, the price of Harley-Davidson memorabilia, including Harley-Davidson counter displays, escalated exponentially. Market prices continue to hold steady.

• Royal Doulton 'The Motorists' china: Royal Doulton produced a series of motorist-themed items between 1903 and 1913. Eight scenes were available, but recently collectibles in "The Motorist" series have been elusive.

• 1940 Walt Disney blotters: The Sunoco series, produced in 1940, consisted of more than 20 different Disney blotters. The three Disney blotters promoting furnace oil are more difficult to find — gas and oil collectors compete with the Mickey Mouse folks for them — and more expensive. Some people pay a premium price, but the market should even out once the handful of committed collectors complete their sets.

• 1929 Champlin Motor Oil road maps: Back in the days when service station attendants cleaned your windows as they filled your automobile with gasoline, service stations provided distinctive maps free for the asking. Companies vied for your attention—and dollars—with eye-catching graphics. There's an active group of map collectors and a map with bold colors, in great condition, and featuring the image of an early gas station will get a lot of attention. Throw in golfers and 1929 Champlin Motor Oil road maps go to the head of the class.

• Mercedes-Benz 300SL sales brochures: Automotive literature falls in two broad categories: what you need and what you want. The pieces you need provide the necessary information to keep your collector car running and the restoration authentic. Those you want allow you to fantasize about your next acquisition or start you on the path of collecting more “paper.” In general, as car desirability increases, its literature becomes more expensive. For example, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL sales brochure, printed in English rather than German, continues to gain value.

• Packard convertibles by Dinky Toys: Dinky Toys first issued its diecast Packard convertible in 1955 and it remained in production until 1961. The Packard convertible was made in three color combinations and featured a detailed interior and figure of a driver. Mint models are becoming more difficult to find and condition will determine future desirability. Dinky Toys Packard convertibles that have never been played with will likely double in value over the next five years.

Find Automobilia on eBay

Find Automobilia on eBay

You can find automobilia in several categories on eBay, including eBay Motors, Collectibles, Pottery & Glass, and Toys & Hobbies. To find the largest selection on eBay Motors, look in the Parts & Accessories category. In Collectibles, click Transportation, and then click Automobilia.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a 1940 Sunoco Walt Disney blotter, type "1940 disney blotter" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Remember to use a "+" between consecutive words in a keyword phrase. After conducting your initial search, try misspelling the name of the item you desire, trying several variations. You'll likely come across additional listings. Visit eBay's Search Commands page for more tips on searching with keywords.

• Advanced Search: eBay's Advanced Search feature allows you to conduct a more precise search and gives you the option to search by seller, buyer, or store. You can also narrow results to "All of these words," "Any of these words," or "Exact phrase." Search All Categories to find automotive memorabilia listed in multiple categories and subcategories on eBay including eBay Motors, Collectibles, Pottery & Glass, and Toys & Hobbies.

If you still can't find what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

To find out how much you can expect to pay for an item, search Completed Listings to find out what similar items sold for in the past 14 days.

Buy Automobilia With Confidence

Buy Automobilia With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.