Today's NASCAR diecast collectors often consider the value of their diecast collection. Why? Because buying NASCAR diecast requires a significant investment. Long gone are the days when one could buy a new collectible NASCAR diecast for $19. Buying a new 1:24 NASCAR diecast from Lionel (the current marketer of NASCAR diecast) will set you back $55 for the base ARC model, and nearly $100 or more if you want to purchase the even-more-collectible RCCA Elite model.

Accordingly, today's diecast collector is much more likely to ask "What is the value of my diecast collection?" Fortunately, this is an easy question to answer. Diecast Registry (www.DiecastRegistry.com) is the leading provider of racing diecast collection management tools, and their online diecast price guide is the most accurate and complete listing available. Simply add your diecast into your garage, and you will see the current market value of each diecast in your collection, as well as the overall value of your entire diecast collection. The data shown below comes from the Diecast Registry price guide - with their permission of course! Enjoy.   

Most Valuable NASCAR Diecast

Dale Earnhardt Sr. #3 Brooks & Dunn 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo 1:24 Action RCCA Elite Prototype

This diecast was never approved for production, and therefore only prototypes exist; 6 prototypes are believed to have been made. When prototypes are included in the search of the Diecast Registry price guide, this is the single most valuable NASCAR diecast, as well as the most expensive Dale Earnhardt diecast. This rare Dale Earnhardt diecast has a book value of about $4,500. 

Most Valuable Regular-Production Diecast

Dale Earnhardt Sr. #3 Daytona 500 Winner 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo 1:24 Action RCCA Elite Gold

When prototype and sample diecast are excluded, the most valuable regular production NASCAR diecast is the Dale Earnhardt 1998 Daytona Winner Gold Elite. Only 100 examples of this rare Dale Earnhardt diecast exist. Getting your hands on one is very difficult. This NASCAR diecast has a book value of about $2,500. 

The remainder of the diecast appearing in this list are regular production diecast. To learn the values of more prototypes and samples, please see the www.DiecastRegistry.com diecast price guide. 

Most Valuable Jimmie Johnson Diecast

Jimmie Johnson Lowe's 250th Start 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo 1:24 Action ARC Color Chrome

This diecast diecast commemorates Jimmie Johnson's 250th NASCAR Cup Series start which took place in the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday October 11, 2008. The paint scheme is actually a preview of what the 2009 Lowe's paint scheme was going to look like, and carries a special decal honoring Johnson's 250th start on the decklid. This diecast was sold trackside at Charlotte Motor Speedway starting on Thursday October 9th, and quickly sold out... none were available by race day. The book value of this Jimmie Johnson diecast is ~ $2,500.

Most Valuable Team Caliber Diecast

Mark Martin #6 Valvoline 1999 1:24 Team Caliber Gold Exclusive

When this diecast was released in 1999, it was the lowest production quantity diecast ever made. According to the Diecast Registry website, only 24 cars were made for the Valvoline Big Brothers Big Sisters charity event. You can learn much more about this diecast in the Diecast Registry price guide. The book value of this rare Mark Martin Team Caliber diecast is ~ $2,100.

Most Valuable Dale Earnhardt Sr Diecast

Dale Earnhardt Sr. #3 Bass Pro 1998 Chevy Monte Carlo 1:24 Action RCCA Elite Gold

Excluding the above Dale Earnhardt diecast, the next most valuable on his impressive list is this rare example. According to the Diecast Registry website, "One hundred 24K Gold Elites were distributed to Bass Pro Shop customers across the country through a Gold Rush Sweepstakes promotion." This rare Dale Earnhardt diecast has a book value of about $1,800. 

Most Valuable Non-Stock-Car Diecast

RCR Richard Childress Racing 2001 1:4 Scale Winston Cup Engine - Autograph Series

When we exclude stock cars from our search, we are left with all sorts of interesting NASCAR collectibles such as airplanes, boats, figurines, haulers, helmets, pedal cars, trains, and trucks. The most valuable in this eclectic group is this RCR engine that is autographed by Richard Childress, Fred Wagenhals, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. This NASCAR engine has a book value of $1,500, and a wholesale value of about $600. 

Most Valuable Jeff Gordon Diecast

Jeff Gordon #24 Honoring Our Soldiers 2010 1:24 Action RCCA Elite White Gold

At the top of the hill for the most valuable Jeff Gordon NASCAR diecast is this stars & stripes paint scheme he drove in the Coca-Cola 600 to honor American soldiers. In fact, all of the 2010 Honoring Our Soldiers models produced by Action Lionel are in very high demand. This Jeff Gordon diecast has a book value of about $1,500, and a wholesale value approaching $700. 

Most Valuable Dale Earnhardt Jr Diecast

Dale Earnhardt Jr. #3 Wrangler 2010 Chevy Monte Carlo 1:24 Action RCCA Elite Gold

What's the most valuable Dale Earnhardt Jr diecast? Currently, the most expensive Dale Earnhardt Jr diecast is the 2010 Wrangler 1:24 RCCA Elite Gold, of which 33 units were produced. According to the Diecast Registry website, Dale Jr drove this paint scheme in the Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona Speedway on Friday July 2nd, 2010. Earnhardt started the race in 5th position and led only 33 laps, but those were the final 33 laps of the race to earn the victory This Dale Earnhardt Jr diecast currently has a book value of about $1,300, and a wholesale value just under $700. 

Most Valuable Winners Circle NASCAR Diecast

Jeff Gordon #40 Stanton Challenger with Youth Photo 1997 1:64 Winners Circle

The most valuable Winners Circle diecast is also the most valuable 1:64 scale diecast made by any manufacturer. This title belongs to the rare #40 Stanton Challenger Sprit Car with the card insert containing the Jeff Gordon "youth photo" seen here. A couple hundred are believed to have been produced before Gordon's camp rejected its release due to the undesirable photo. This Jeff Gordon diecast has a book value of about $1,000. Interestingly, these pop up on auctions sites from year to year with a $5 buy it now price because most collectors are unaware that this version is different from the mass-produced version.

Most Valuable Kyle Busch Diecast

Kyle Busch #18 Bristol Sweep 2010 1:24 Action ARC Set

The most valuable Kyle Busch diecast is also the most valuable multi car set of diecasts ever produced. This set of Bristol Sweep diecast has a wholesale value of about $500. While the value of many other diecast appearing in this list is decreasing, the value of this set is INCREASING. Here is a sneak-peak at the diecast value trend chart from the Diecast Registry price guide: 

Most Valuable Richard Petty Diecast

Richard Petty #43 STP 1974 Dodge Charger 2010 1:24 Action RCCA Elite White Gold

This diecast was produced to commemorate Richard Petty's Hall of Fame induction. Only 25 units were produced. This diecast has a book value of about $800, and a wholesale value over $350. While this diecast is at the top of the list, the Diecast Registry price guide shows many other Richard Petty diecast with a market value just below this example. Check it out when you have a chance.

Most Valuable Kevin Harvick Diecast

Kevin Harvick 2010 #2 Tide Pods Truck 1:24 Action White Gold

Aside from Harvick's 2006 Lucky Platinum Elite inserts (of which only two examples were made), this diecast is Kevin Harvick's most valuable NASCAR diecast. Only 25 units were produced in a beautiful white gold finish. This diecast has a book value of about $750 and a wholesale value of $300. 

The 2007 Kevin Harvick Elvis diecast is close, but it is not as expensive as this white gold supertruck.

Most Valuable Hot Wheels Diecast

Don Prudhomme 1970 The Snake Legends to Life Funny Car

The most valuable Hot Wheels racing diecast produced in the modern era (i.e. post 1989) is this Legends to Life diecast which has a tape-playing base that produces sounds from his famous Snake funny car. This diecast has a book value of about $625, and a wholesale value of $475.