Collecting NASCAR Die-Cast is Hot!

Rules Every Collector Should Know

By Bill Coulter

The manufacture, resale and consumption of all things die-cast is the hot ticket on today's collectible scene. If you have any doubts, just look at the racks, shelves and display space devoted to these items, whether it's a specialty shop or a major department store chain. Display advertisements for these items are found in just about every publication from TV Guide to Motor Trend magazine. Racing die-cast models—in particular NASCAR items—may well be the most active part of this burgeoning market.

If you're like a lot of us collectors, you had no particular objective in mind when you began randomly picking up an item here and there. Your collection, like mine, probably started innocently enough, with just one really neat die-cast race car—kind of like that potato chip slogan that declares you can't eat just one ... they'll just make more! Whether your purchases are impulse or something like "I like it and I have to have it," you'll probably find yourself surrounded with dozens (maybe hundreds or thousands) of die-cast items, and you'll quickly begin to wonder how you got into this fix!

But cheer up! In the long run, this isn't a bad problem to have. However, it's time to focus on this need to collect die-cast race cars and begin to establish some personal guidelines before you have to add a couple of rooms onto the old homestead.

The first question to ask yourself is, "Am I collecting things I really like or do I believe that some day I'll be able to put my grandkids through college by selling this stuff?"

Rule 1: Love It or Leave It
Collect things that you really like. Don't be misled into believing your collection will increase in value. Most of the stuff that's been on the market for the last six to eight years will probably not increase much in value. Vintage collectible items are valuable primarily because they were never produced just for collectors. Kids played with them so they were broken, lost or thrown away. When few rare items are left, the value goes up due to supply and demand.

By contrast today, thousands of "collectibles" are made specifically for collectors. Hundreds of thousands of these collectibles are made, in spite of the packaging that may state,"1 of 10,000." That package designation is true to some small extent. Yes, the item you paid handsomely for is in fact "one of 10,000. "That, of course, is for this particular run of 10,000. But there will doubtless be many runs of 10,000 pieces before production finally ceases. In the future, just how valuable will items be when, for example,750,000 were produced and virtually every piece has been kept in pristine condition? Above all else, buy things you really like!

Rule 2: Find a Focus
As your collection grows, focus on the content. Try to pick a favorite driver, a product sponsor, and a make of car, a common scale or a particular racing series. In my case, I've been a long-time Richard Petty fan, but I haven't collected every thing that has had #43 on it. For example, I haven't purchased the four 1:25-scale Petty cars from Franklin Mint. I've looked over the 1967 Plymouth,1977 Oldsmobile, 1970 Superbird and 1992 Pontiac. None of them were accurate enough for me to shell out $120. (That's not to say it wasn't a tough decision!) I don't collect black and silver biplanes, fluorescent red and blue Model T pickup trucks or rainbow colored HO electric train sets just because they mention Richard Petty, either. Can someone please explain to me what this has to do with NASCAR racing? I also refuse to collect any of the NASCAR die-cast models that don't carry the proper sponsor names. Has anyone seen the "Rusty"NASCAR Thunderbird at the race track lately?

Fortunately, in spite of this politically correct world of ours, manufacturers are producing "adult collectibles" which allows for the replication of dead-on accurate models. A great example of this would be the new Revell-Monogram Collection line of die-cast NASCAR models. Whether in 1:64,1:43,1:24 or 1:18-scale, these replicas are right on the mark! They are not cheap, retailing in the $10 to $90 price range, but the cars are very accurate with the correct sponsor markings. And they are guaranteed to truly be part of a very limited production run.

Likewise, The Ertl Company enters the upscale 1:18-scale stock car market with some items of their own. An excellent example is the Kmart/RC Cola Thunderbird driven by Jeremy Mayfield. Ertl presents a different interpretation of the 1997 T-Bird body contours than Revell, but the fit, finish and attention to detail is first rate on the Ertl model, adding working coil springs to the rear suspension.

Ertl's premium large-scale NASCAR models are distributed exclusively through Georgia Marketing and Promotions. If you want to collect pieces that can't be found in every discount store, specialty shop or on every flea market table, there are approximately 300 GMP resellers. They are the only outlets for these select 1:18-scale Ertl die-cast stock cars.

Rule 3: Trade Up
Once you've made the hard choices that purify your particular die-cast race car collection, consider those items that don't make the final cut as legitimate and valuable trading stock rather than cast-offs. By taking this step with your extras, you will have opened up a whole new avenue. Swapping and trading with other collectors, whether one-on-one or via classifieds and mail order, can be enriching and worthwhile. You'll not only make some new collecting buddies, but you can learn about what you're collecting and sharpen your perceptions of values and prices.

With prices of collectible die-cast race cars ranging from under $1 to over $100,you can find many items to fill out your newly restructured collection. Not only do prices vary widely, but scales of such cars range from 1:144 to 1:18-scale. What an eye-catching and conversation-inspiring display you'll have if you take your favorite driver or corporate sponsor and bring together every scale and type of die-cast replica you can find. How about a special display in your showcase of Pennzoil NASCAR race cars? In 1998,that sponsorship went to the new Dale Earnhardt-owned #14 Chevy for Steve Park, so there's going to be a ton of great stuff for this car popping up in stores. Add that to the various pearl-yellow pieces driven by Michael Waltrip and Johnny Benson Jr.and you'll have a collection that will continue to grow for years!

Rule 4: Research
The more you know, the less likely you're going to waste your hard-earned money on over-priced and under-detailed merchandise. Pay closer attention to the prices quoted in classified ads and at flea markets rather than to the prices quoted in various price guides. The real value behind any price guide is still determined by what a person will pay for an item when the final sale occurs.

I'm not saying you should quit buying NASCAR die-cast race cars for your collection—quite the contrary! What I am saying is learn as much as possible about the items you are collecting. No matter what your reasons for collecting NASCAR die-cast, knowing the true value of your collection can be very important.

Rule 5: Can't Find It? Create It!
Even a few years ago, it was easier to create your own favorites because Revell produced a few thousand white 1:24-scale NASCAR Lumina, Thunderbird, Oldsmobile and Pontiac vehicles. The models were just normal models except that they were finished in glossy white with no markings. All you needed to do was disassemble the model, paint it and apply aftermarket decals made for plastic kits. Then presto-chango—you had created your own personal NASCAR die-cast collectible. It should be noted that a few enterprising individuals produced short runs of a wide variety of stock cars in this fashion. How many were done and which ones? What is their current value and are they as collectible as those produced by Revell and Racing Champions? I'm not sure anyone really knows the answer to those questions, but I believe that hundreds of a white T-bird with a candy bar sponsor were created in this manner.

Rule 6: Evaluate and Protect!
What would you do if your die-cast cars were stolen or destroyed by fire or some other natural disaster? Once the value of your collection reaches a few hundred dollars, consult your household insurance representative. Your representative may be able to attach a rider to your homeowner's policy that will cover the collection in the event of some misfortune. Your insurance provider may want you to compile a list of individual items with accurate dollar values. They also might ask for a few snapshots of your prized possessions. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to find an agent like I did many years ago-he was a collector of die-cast and tin-plate fire engines. It really is a small world. As a final reminder, collect NASCAR die-cast race cars you really like. Focus on a theme for your collection. Learn all you can about what you're buying so you don't get snookered. Insure your valuable NASCAR die-cast collection. And above all, take pride in a very worthwhile hobby!

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Bill Coulter wrote this article for Toy Cars & Vehicles, a Krause Publication, for which he is a columnist. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.