Old is new again with Lionel’s NASCAR Classics line
By Chris Olds | Beckett Sports Card Monthly Editor
You don’t see these every day.
Some classic names and race cars from yesteryear are brand new once again as Lionel NASCAR Collectables has unveiled its second offering of NASCAR Classics diecasts.
Among the latest offering of replicas, which are now available for pre-order via the company or soon to be available at a nearby hobby shop, are a racing pioneer, two legends and, of course, a pair of Earnhardts.
Each of the five diecasts costs $59.95 with the lone more modern stock car of the bunch being Dale Earnhardt‘s No. 96 1978 Ford Torino (top), which has never been released as a diecast before, according to the company. It’s the first Ford he raced in the top series and he finished 10th in it in the 1978 Firecracker 400 at Daytona.
The second Earnhardt is a replica of one driven by Ralph Earnhardt, a 1940 Ford coupe with the No. 8 made famous on the track by his grandson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. It, too, according to Lionel, has not been a diecast before.
Rounding out the offerings are three more 1940 Fords — one for one of the most successful female drivers in NASCAR’s past, Louise Smith, and cars for Tim Flock and Tiny Lund.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Thanks for the article Chris! We are planning to introduce “new” historic die-cast each quarter. Cars planned will range from these 1940 Fords to stock cars from the late 1980s/early 1990s. Collectors can find all of our current NASCAR Classics offerings here: http://www.lionelnascarcollectables.com/Products/NASCAR-CLASSICS
Well nice to finally see some Historic type cars again! The new currant NASCAR ones are just so unappealing. The Sprint Cup or Nationwide cars just don’t look like the street car version! B-Pillar windows are wrong and other parts.
Hope sometime in the future they will do Dale Sr’s #8 Nova.
It would be nice if someone would do NASCAR Northern and Southern Modifieds correctly! I have seen some but they all resemble Dirt Modifieds with Pavement Mod paint schemes on them. Wheels don’t stick out far enough on the right side and the hoods are to high and wide etc… Closest thing are some old MPC/Ertl Model Kits and some matchbox Modifieds. A diecast version is needed of old and new Drivers and cars from the 80’s on up!
GREAT CARS, would love to see the david pearson purolator mercury made one day. Its one of his most famous rides ever.
I do really like the louise smith version though. i have a couple of her 1/64 scales. She was a great lady.