Dale Earnhardt Sr - 1989 Lumina Race Car (Photo: Mecum Auctions)
Inauthentic Dale Earnhardt machines sold at auction for a hefty price
Shane Walters
Richard Childress made it clear that the 1994 championship car of Dale Earnhardt was a fake; Despite that, the car still rolled across the auction block
1,250 Vehicles rolled across the auction block in Phoenix, Arizona. Of those, 20 of them were part of the ‘Earnhardt Collection’ which rolled into the show on March 17th.
Five of the cars in the Earnhardt Collection brought a bit of confusion to the racing community. These were 3 race cars driven by Dale Earnhardt and two more driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
At least some race cars in the collection were accurate, they just suffered a restoration that slightly missed the mark.
Lot S3.9 in particular was driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chassis number DEI-011, was first driven by Michael Waltrip between 2002-2004. In 2005-2006, it was then driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt 1994 Car
One car in particular claimed to be the car that Dale Earnhardt drove at Atlanta Motor Speedway as he clinched his 1994 championship. It was formerly a part of the Joel McPherson collection.
As the car rolled across the auction block on Saturday, “Lot S3.3 is a 1994 NASCAR that was driven by Dale Earnhardt. Earnhardt clinched his 7th NASCAR championship in this car. It also scored two NASCAR wins. It was restored to race ready condition.”
At least some of that, isn’t close to the truth.
One day ahead of the auction, Richard Childress was surprised to hear of his former cars coming up for sale, “No, I didn’t know they were selling some of them. I thought I had about all of them.”
“There’s a few of the Dale cars out there, I think. I started saving Dale’s cars in the real early 90’s.”
Richard Childress built an entire museum to house Dale Earnhardt machines. He also has a few cars in their driven by his grandson’s Ty Dillon and Austin Dillon. At a certain point in the early 90’s he stopped selling off Earnhardt cars to competing teams for re-use.
The 1994 championship was Dale Earnhardt’s 7th NASCAR title. It was also the title that tied Richard Petty for the most all-time championships. So, that doesn’t appear to be a car that Richard Childress would be willing to sell at any point.
“It’s sitting in my showroom at the museum. They definitely don’t have the ’94 that he won his championship with. We have it.”
It wasn’t just the 1994 car that had speculation of being a fake. The orange Dale Earnhardt machine with Wheaties on the hood (Lot S3.5), I’ve personally seen sitting in the Richard Childress Racing museum.
Despite the widespread uncertainty of the authenticity, the cars were sold.
Despite those comments above from the NASCAR team owner, the entire collection rolled across the auction block the following day. 19 of the cars were sold at no reserve for a total of $1,053,800.
The 1994 championship car had a high bid of $190,000 as it rolled off the block. However, the bids would continue behind the stage as there was a reserve on that machine. It’s unclear if the car was sold at that price, a higher price or even at all.
For certain, 19 of the 20 cars sold. The 1994 car was likely sold as well for a price of at least $190,000.
Mecum was approached for comment ahead of the auction by multiple outlets. They did not return for comment, to anyone.
Earnhardt Collection: Sale Prices
2008 Chevrolet Camaro Corvette Pace Car Sold: $60,500 (Lot 2.6)
2008 Chevrolet Camaro Corvette Pace Car (Coupe) Sold: $33,000 (Lot 2.7)
2006 Hummer H1 Alpha Sold: $154,000 (Lot 2.8)
2001 Chevrolet Camaro SS Sold: $36,300 (Lot 2.9)
2000 Chevrolet Camaro SS Sold: $26,400 (Lot S3)
1996 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Sold: $27,500 (Lot S3.1)
1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Sold: $27,500 (Lot S3.2)
1994 Chevrolet Lumina NASCAR Top Bid (Not sold on the stand): $190,000 (Lot S3.3)
1989 Chevrolet Lumina NASCAR Sold: $44,000 (Lot S3.4)
1993 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Sold: $40,700 (Lot S3.5)
2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Sold: $88,000 (Lot S3.6)
2010 Chevrolet Camaro Sold: $51,700 (Lot S3.7)
2004 Chevrolet Camaro Monte Carlo NASCAR Sold: $51,700 (Lot S3.8)
2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR Sold: $44,000 (Lot S3.9)
1978 Chevrolet Corvette Sold: $30,800 (Lot S4)
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Sold $24,200 (Lot: 4.1)
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Sold $28,600 (Lot: 4.2)
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Pace Car Sold $52,800 (Lot: 4.3)
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Sold: $50,600 (Lot S4.4)
2006 Hummer H1 Alpha Sold: $181,500 (Lot: S4.5)
Earnhardt Collection Mecum Auctions Video
This story will be updated if any new information becomes available.