The Wonderful World of Collectible Automobilia

As well as collecting motor-racing memorabilia, I have been a long time collector of all things related to classic and vintage cars. This type of old motor memorabilia is usually referred to as Automobilia, and encompasses a vast variety of subject material .. and not just cars are covered, but anything related to historic trucks, military vehicles, pushbikes, vintage motorcycles, tractors, traction engines, lawnmowers, stationary engines, pedal cars, caravans, tools, garages, literature, advertising signs and spare parts to name some, are incorporated.

Sensible people try to limit their collecting mania to one or maybe 2 particular fields, but I tend to go for anything that takes my eye – maybe a nice book to add to my collection, or vintage petrol can to hang up in my olde worlde garage, or some rare spanners that are stamped up with a particular manufacturer of historic cars from days gone by.
Below I have grouped up some of the key subject areas that the term Automobilia can relate to, and examples of what you might try to find.

2. Accessories

Collectable accessories are great items to search for, whether it be to actually fit them to your classic car, or display in your retro-styled garage cum workshop, as I do. The variety of material available in this field could fill a book on its own. Popular items are accessories that add something to the style of your car, and a trawl around a local autojumble or swapmeet will turn up many examples of chrome Lamps, such as those manufactured by Lucas, Marchal, Notek, Wipac and others, as well as other shiny chrome adornments like badges, period chrome mirrors in various styles, boot racks for sports cars, shiny new hubcaps, new chrome grilles to make your Bentley look a treat, and so on.

Buying & collecting performance and tuning accessories has always been popular, and are eagerly sought after also by those who take their classic cars rallying, and anything produced by period tuning companies such as Speedwell, Aquaplane, SAH, Paddy Hopkirk and others are always in demand. Just taking the subject of badges for a moment, there are collectors who specialise in accumulating different eras of grille badge for particular clubs, societies or companies, the AA (Automobile Association) being a good case in point – they have been in business since the dawn of motoring, and as such there have been many differing styles of badge produced over time, and varying by application – motorcycle ones are subtly different to motorcar ones for example.
Some accessories are acquired for their novelty value alone. Who remembers adverts that were in motor magazines from the 1970s selling the new furry look for your car?? somewhere I have a copy of this ad, showing a 1970s Renault (12?) with its upper surfaces decked out in this fetching furry look! The 1960s saw a proliferation in economy devices being sold, advising that they could save the thrifty motorist several shillings a month by fitting their product – somewhere in my garage I have one of these curious extractor exhaust tail trims, which when screwed to the end of your exhaust pipe, claims to suck the fumes out quicker thus relieving things a little for your engine and improve its efficiency. Redex was another popular thing, and is still around today, which claims to improve the performance of your engine as its approaches older age.

Other nice automobilia worth looking out for include those old parking lights that clipped to the top of your drivers door window, and plug into the cars cigar lighter. Or hows about some groovy plastic trays that clips to your door with the window wound down, off which you can eat the scrummy sandwiches and flask of tea you brought along in a period whicker picnic basket? If you are interested in locating such items, advertising online can be very fruitful – there is a section on this website where you can advertise automobilia for sale, or wanted, totally free of charge!

The 1950s saw a huge increase in the market for trendy gizmos which promised to enliven the otherwise dull prospect of driving around in your ropey old motor. How about a new fangled in-car heater from KL? or clip on head restraints that were later banned as in a crash they’d do your neck more harm than good if they broke off? Roof racks were de-rigeur for holidaying motorists in the 50s and 60s, in the days when cheap package flights abroad were a distant dream. Find one now and bolt it to your classic, strap on a weary leather suitcase, and look like the archetypal 50s holidaymaker en route to the familys annual holiday. Smoking wasn’t as frowned on as it is today, and all manner of suction ashtrays were produced by companies such as Barnacle, so that you could dispose of your Capstan Full Strength without having to sling it out into the nearest hedge as you sped along the A roads at 45 mph.

3. Buying guide

You can find an endless selection of automobilia online. In order to find real treasures (preferably at bargain prices), do your homework, buy what you like, and buy the best you can afford. As with cars or energy stocks, there’s no guarantee that an investment in automobilia will increase in value. However, a few items have done well over the past few years and a couple under-performers show promise. Several types of automobilia may appreciate over the next five years.

Lalique car mascot, ‘Vitesse’: The detail and finish of the 27 or so different glass automotive mascots that René Lalique produced in the late 1920s and early 1930s make them stand out as definitive works of automotive-related art. The appeal of Lalique car mascots, including Vitesse, extends beyond car collecting and their value tracks the economy.

Stanley Wanlass bronze, ‘Two Thoroughbreds’: Stanley Wanlass produced automobile-themed bronze statues in the 1980s, but the market did not treat them kindly. ‘Two Thoroughbreds’, a piece from an edition of 50, features Phil Hill in the 1958 Le Mans-winning Ferrari Testa Rossa. You can typically find “Two Thoroughbreds” selling for less than half of its introductory price and you can expect its value to increase slightly over the next five years.

Wayne 60 gas pumps: Deco-style gas pumps from the 1930s and 1940s appeal to all types of collectors. Restored, they make a handsome period companion to a vintage car collection. Your spouse may even let you put one in the rec room next to your restored Cavalier Coke vending machine. The style of Wayne 60 gas pumps lends itself to exaggerated restorations, leading to pumps far more flamboyant in appearance than when they were new. Wayne 60 gas pumps can command thousands of dollars, with unrestored pumps at the low end of the spectrum and professional restorations at the high end.

Mobil restroom signs: In recent years, Mobil restroom signs have more than doubled in value and the appreciation curve is still on an upward trend. In all probability, Mobile restroom signs and other vintage restroom signs will continue to go up in value over the next five years.

Franklin Mint 1/24 scale models: Franklin Mint 1/24 scale models provide a way for you to collect cars that fit on a shelf instead of in a 50-car garage. With production runs of 25,000 units or more, they also come with a price tag most collectors can afford; you can have 50 cars for less than the cost of having the wire wheels rebuilt on a Maserati 200S. In five years, you could get 50 cents on the dollar if you keep the original box and papers.

Polly Gas 1 quart oil can: Gulf purchased Polly Gas, a brand name for the Wilshire Oil Company of Los Angeles, in 1957. The distinctive Polly name disappeared shortly thereafter. Poly Gas quart oil cans came in four slightly different designs and the minor variations do not affect the value. Condition is everything and Poly Gas oil cans in mint condition hold the most value.

Michelin Tire mascot, ‘Mr. Bibendum’: People the world over recognize Mr. Bibendum, the Michelin Tire mascot of more than 104 years. ‘Combat I’Obstacle’ portrays Ol’ Bib in a boxing pose and is one of four different automotive mascots offered over the years. Recorded sales have trended south in recent years, but will likely improve on current prices over the next few.

Kelly Tire porcelain signs: Collectors of automotive memorabilia find Kelly Tire porcelain signs featuring Miss Lotta Miles — portrayed by a number of aspiring actresses over the 20 years Kelly Tires used the ad campaign — extremely desirable. Condition is the key ingredient, with quality porcelain signs and unrestored examples in excellent condition continuing to bring big bucks.

Vintage license plates: As more states allow you to register collector cars with license plates that correspond to the year of the vehicle, the demand for unusual vintage license plates and low-number vintage license plates will drive the market. Competition comes from an active group of license plate collectors, so while an unusual vintage license plate may seem expensive now, it may double in value and seem like a good value in a few years.

Harley-Davidson counter displays: Harley-Davidson riders once sported ponytails and tattoos, but now CEOs often trade their pinstriped suits for leathers on the weekends. As the Harley-Davidson demographic changed, the price of Harley-Davidson memorabilia, including Harley-Davidson counter displays, escalated exponentially. Market prices continue to hold steady.
Royal Doulton ‘The Motorists’ china: Royal Doulton produced a series of motorist-themed items between 1903 and 1913. Eight scenes were available, but recently collectibles in “The Motorist” series have been elusive.

1940 Walt Disney blotters: The Sunoco series, produced in 1940, consisted of more than 20 different Disney blotters. The three Disney blotters promoting furnace oil are more difficult to find — gas and oil collectors compete with the Mickey Mouse folks for them — and more expensive. Some people pay a premium price, but the market should even out once the handful of committed collectors complete their sets.

1929 Champlin Motor Oil road maps: Back in the days when service station attendants cleaned your windows as they filled your automobile with gasoline, service stations provided distinctive maps free for the asking. Companies vied for your attention—and dollars—with eye-catching graphics. There’s an active group of map collectors and a map with bold colors, in great condition, and featuring the image of an early gas station will get a lot of attention. Throw in golfers and 1929 Champlin Motor Oil road maps go to the head of the class.

Mercedes-Benz 300SL sales brochures: Automotive literature falls in two broad categories: what you need and what you want. The pieces you need provide the necessary information to keep your collector car running and the restoration authentic. Those you want allow you to fantasize about your next acquisition or start you on the path of collecting more “paper.” In general, as car desirability increases, its literature becomes more expensive. For example, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL sales brochure, printed in English rather than German, continues to gain value.

Packard convertibles by Dinky Toys: Dinky Toys first issued its diecast Packard convertible in 1955 and it remained in production until 1961. The Packard convertible was made in three color combinations and featured a detailed interior and figure of a driver. Mint models are becoming more difficult to find and condition will determine future desirability. Dinky Toys Packard convertibles that have never been played with will likely double in value over the next five years.