Collectors will be spending less on new diecasts as the ongoing tariff dispute has effectively paused the release of 1/24 and 1/64 models, but April showed that many are still dishing out plenty of dollars for those already produced. Three of the top-five most expensive 1/24 diecast sold for over $2,000 or more in April with all commanding four figures. Meanwhile, the most expensive 1/64 commanded well over $300.
Once again Justin Allgaier’s Traveller Whiskey No. 40 Daytona 500 ride, the first Cup Series start for JRM, lands on the top-five. This month, it occupies spots three and five on the list, highlighting the popularity of the diecast and its desirability among collectors after all versions sold out shortly after being made available to order. An Elite Liquid Color version, one of just 24 produced, sold for $2,000 on April 10 for the No. 3 spot. Perhaps patience was rewarded for those who didn’t snag this example, as another Elite Liquid Color 1/24 was sold April 17 for $1,150, occupying the No. 5 spot.
These sales continue a trend for JRM’s Daytona 500 car selling at extremely high prices. A version signed by Allgaier, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, sold for $906 in March. An Allgaier autographed ARC sold for $1,000 this month, just missing out on the top five.
The No. 4 highest sale is another special finish, this one from several decades ago.
In one of his more memorable moments, though he made a career of them, Dale Earnhardt Sr. flipped in the closing laps of the 1997 Daytona 500. After careening off the wall, flipping, landing back on its wheels and skidding off the track, Earnhardt’s Monte Carlo appeared to be headed for the garage. However, Earnhardt noted his No. 3 Chevy was still in condition, or at least close enough, to finish out the race. As such, Earnhardt’s crew got to work getting the remnants of his car literally taped together so he could close out the final laps of the race.
In 2004, Action released several versions of Earnhardt’s “Crash Car,” which remains one of the most sought-after Earnhardt Sr. diecasts. Among them were Platinum, Brushed Metal, Gold and Color Chrome special finishes. One of the 5,004 Color Chrome 1/24s offered through QVC sold April 14 for $1,500.
The No. 2 priciest sale of April goes to the newest 1/24 on the monthly list. The door number for Kyle Larson’s 2024 Kansas Raced Win in Elite Gold finish, one of just 48 produced, sold for $2,255 on April 6. DIN No. 5 marks Larson’s incredible 0.001-second victory over Chris Buescher in the 2024 AdventHealth 400 at Kansas on May 4, 2024.
Special finish Larson cars have proved to be among the most valuable diecasts over the last few months. Two of Larson’s 2024 Elite Gold Hendrickcars.com throwbacks were among the top-five sales in December, with another throwback No. 5 version just missing out on the list in February. A Color Chrome version of Larson’s 2016 Michigan Win was the fifth most expensive eBay sale in March.
Continuing the “golden” theme, the top sale of April commanded a massive $2,650.
In 2010, Action released a commemorative Dale Earnhardt 1984 Monte Carlo “Blue Goose.” Earnhardt won his first race with Richard Childress in the No. 3 Wrangler-sponsored Chevrolet that year and earned 22 top-10s in 30 races, good for a fourth-place season points finish. During the 2010 production run, 661 Color Chrome versions of the Blue Goose were produced along with 69 Gold versions.
Commanding the top spot for April is DIN 30 of the Gold version of Earnhardt’s 1984 Monte Carlo, which commanded a staggering $2,650 with 30 bids.
The most expensive 1/64-scale NASCAR diecast sold is a highly sought-after example of Clint Bowyer’s 2007 No. 07 DirecTV Chevy Monte Carlo. Bowyer’s RCR ride was sponsored mainly by Jack Daniel’s from 2007-09. As such, 1/64 scale versions of these cars weren’t produced. The only 1/64 scale Bowyer ride from 2007-09 was his 2007 DirecTV No. 07, produced by Lionel, which was reportedly a promo offered to new DirecTV customers.
As such, this promotional 1/64 is extremely hard to come by and commands a hefty price. This was underscored by an example of Bowyer’s 1/64 2007 DirecTV ride selling for an impressive $340 on April 26.
Other notable 1/64 scale sales for April are two cars that effectively sold for $200 each.
Commanding $200 is Josh Wise’s 2014 No. 98 Dogecoin Chevy SS raced for Phil Parsons Racing. Wise raced the Dogecoin-sponsored Chevy three times in 2014, finishing 20th and 28th at Talladega and 40th at Sonoma.
Regan Smith’s 2010 No. 78 Furniture Row promo sold for $199.99, but with shipping costs, it technically beat Wise’s ride for the second-highest 1/64 sale in April. Released with branding from “idegy – The Merchandise Agency” on the window box, the hard-to-find promo sold for $199.99.
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