Automobilia is popular with vintage automotive collectors who enjoy memories of America's golden age of automobiles. From oil cans to hood ornaments, from restroom signs to road maps, these collectibles are likely to bring back pleasant memories of road trips and first cars. So what's worth collecting and what's not?
Remember the Michelin Tire mascot? Mr. Bibendum was a popular figure for more than 100 years. Ole Bib was one of four automobile mascots who have been portrayed by 'Combat I'Obstacle'. The Michelin Man was featured in a boxing pose.
Vintage Signs
Another favorite is Mobil restroom signs. Once available at rock-bottom prices, these signs have continued to draw greater interest - and cost more money - over the last decade. Other vintage restroom signs are also popular finds.
Royal Daulton briefly introduced a series of eight china plates from 1903 to 1913. 'The Motorists' theme was quite popular, but these items are getting harder and harder to find. Kelly Tire Porcelain signs are also frequently sought after. These signs advertised Miss Lotta Miles, who was often played by different Hollywood hopefuls during the two decades of Kelly Tires' ad campaign. Signs in good condition that have not been restored bring top dollar.
Gas Pumps, License Plates, and Rare Collectibles
During the Roaring '20s and the Depression Era, artist René Lalique created approximately 27 different automotive mascots made of glass. These well-crafted and detailed items are definitely works of art, but their value tends to rise and fall depending on the country's economic conditions.
In the 1980s, Stanley Wanlass attempted a similar feat with bronzed automobile statues. These didn't sell well, and most today can be purchased for about half of the original price. Don't expect the price to jump quickly; collect these because you enjoy them, not because you're expecting to make a lot of money reselling them.
Remember the old gas pumps used in the 1930s or 1940s? These classic antiques are hot candidates for restoration and addition to a collection of vintage automobiles. Wayne 60 gas pumps are often restored in even more brightly painted and exotic colors than when they were used, and are worth several thousand dollars in a restored condition.
Even collectors who don't have hundreds or thousands of dollars to spend can start their own collections with vintage license plates. Collector cars can often be registered with license plates dating the car's make. Plates with low numbers are even more valuable, and are desirable to many collectors. Start with the current year and work back through the years, or target specific finds and watch them increase in value over the years.
Another affordable choice for automobilia collectors are Franklin Mint 1/24 scale models. Car lovers don't have to be billionaires to collect all the cars closest to their hearts. Since about 25,000 copies of each model are produced, people who can't afford to restore a Nash Airflyte 1948 can opt instead to accumulate mint models of several cars. Usually within about five years, the dollar value of many of the Franklin Mint models appreciates by 50 percent or more.
Disney got in on the automobilia scene in 1940 with the release of 1940 Walt Disney blotters, manufactured by Sunoco. Over 20 blotters were made, but the three advertising furnace oil are hardest to find. Because Mickey Mouse collectors compete with automobilia buyers, the competition, and the price, can be quite stiff sometimes.
Another popular toy company to benefit from the automobilia craze was Dinky Toys. The first diecast model of a Packard convertible was sold in 1955. Dinky Toys continued to produce the Packard convertible until 1961. This toy was manufactured in three different combinations of colors and included driver models and detailed interiors. Mint convertibles in perfect condition are extremely hard to find.
The days when the only Harley-Davidson riders were long-haired tough bikers with tattoos are probably long gone. Today, business executives jump into riding leathers and hit the open roads on their bikes after a long week's work. As a result, Harley-Davidson counter displays and other Harley memorabilia has skyrocketed.
Those who've never heard of Polly Gas probably aren't serious automobilia collectors. The Polly Gas 1 quart oil can in mint condition is hard to find and desirable to collectors. Each of the four designs was a little different, but none of the designs is more valuable than any other. Collectors who are lucky enough to find a Polly Gas 1 quart oil can in mint condition hold onto them; they are fairly rare. (Wilshire Oil Company, located in Los Angeles, sold Polly Gas until it was bought by Gulf Oil in 1957.)
Paper Collectibles
Paper isn't a popular medium for automobilia art, but some examples are worthwhile to collectors. Most automotive literature provides information about maintenance and car care, but some, like the Mercedes-Benz 300SL sales brochures, offer "dreaming power" to wishful thinkers. Usually, the most collectible literature advertises the most expensive and desirable cars. One other detail that makes this brochure even more attractive to collectors is that the sales brochure was published in the English language rather than the German language.
Brightly colored maps with distinctive graphics, like the 1929 Champlin Motor Oil road maps, were offered at no charge to drivers by service stations in earlier years. Map collectors vie with golfers and automobilia collectors for the bold graphics and representation of a vintage gas station featured on this particular map.
Car Shows
Automobiles and the automobile industry were a huge part of America's history during the past century, and collectors search far and wide for memories of this bygone era. Restoring a Model T or exhibiting at automobilia car shows can be fun. If you don't have the money - or the time, or expertise, to restore a vintage car, consider getting in on the action with some of these memorable collectibles instead!