| |
NASCAR Diecast 101
NASCAR Diecast Collectors' Guide
One of the best parts of being a NASCAR fan is following your favorite driver and their team as they compete. Collecting the different diecast cars raced by your favorite driver is a great way to get started.
Miniature replicas of real stock cars include current paint schemes, drivers' number, and sponsor logos. NASCAR diecasts have working hoods, detailed cockpits, tiny engines, functioning tires, and come in a variety of sizes (1:64 scale to 1:18 scale).
Jimmie Johnson Diecast
2006 Action 1:24 #48
Lowes Busch Series
Chevrolet
Collecting NASCAR Diecast Cars
Whether you’re starting or building your NASCAR diecast car collection, you’ll want to stay focused on your favorites, learn the lingo to help you evaluate cars, research the value of the cars, and maintain your cars for the future.
Starting a collection
When first building out your collection, it’s a good idea to narrow your focus by choosing a favorite driver, make of car, scale, or product sponsor. If you’re a Matt Kenseth fan, try to find his car in different scales. If you like the design of Chevrolet cars, try to collect all the different cars and drivers that they sponsor.
Learn NASCAR diecast car lingo
NASCAR diecast cars have their own unique “lingo” or terms, which can help you determine additional information about the cars.
MFG: or manufacturer. These are the different compies that produce the diecast cars. The main diecast manufacturers are: Action, Brookfield, RCCA, Revell, Team Caliber, Winner’s Circle, Racing Champions, and Hot Wheels.
Scale: Scale is the relative size of the car. 1/64 is the smallest size and measures about 3 inches long. 1/24 is the most common scale available and the cars measure about 8 inches long. 1/18 scale is the largest and offers the best detail, but this size prevents many people from collecting it.
H/O: Hood Open. The model has a hood that can open displaying engine detail
B/W: Black Window. The interior cannot be seen.
C/W: Clear Window. The interior of the car can be seen. Most cars are C/W unless obviously stated that they are B/W.
Determining value of NASCAR diecast cars
The price of NASCAR diecast cars is influenced by many factors such as popularity of a driver, number of cars made by the manufacturer, age of the car, or recent driver activities (such as retirement, sponsor changes or accidents).
www.ebay.com
is a great place to see what items are selling for and how high the demand is for certain items. If you find a piece that seems too good to be true, investigate, ask the seller questions, and review the sellers’ feedback.
Pricing guides like Beckett Racing Collectibles and Die-Cast Price Guide will also list values and often provide general articles and information about diecast collecting.
Protecting your collection
Many collectors spend lots of money and time finding and buying items to have in their collection without giving any thought to protecting the collection. Protecting your collection is an important part of the hobby. Keeping your NASCAR diecast cars in their original packaging will protect and add value your collection. Glass or hard plastic display cases for NASCAR diecast cars of all scales are great options. There are even available cases made for specific drivers featuring graphics that are complementary to their cars.
Jeff Burton 1/24th Die Cast Display Case with Platform
Keeping your collection out of direct sunlight will avoid damage the finish. Avoid storing your collection in places with high temperature changes, an environment that can warp or damage the finish, or the car itself. Highly humid locations should be avoided for the same reason.
If you have a large collection, be sure to secure insurance coverage for your collection. Small collections, in most cases, will be covered by homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. If you have a large collection contact your insurance provider who may require a list of individual items in your collection along with the current values or prices.
Return from NASCAR Diecast to Home
|
