The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
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Topic starter
10/06/2015 7:03 am
Michael Jordan Camaro
This topic was discussed several times over the years. Apparently the model is relatively rare, nobody seems to know how many were produced. Several have come for sale over the years since this model was first mentioned here in 2006. WorthPoint.com has records for 3-4 sales but their membership is too expensive to check the selling prices. Earlier this year 2 DZ members mentioned that they have the car, but nobody posted pictures. Good pictures and reviews are virtually not existing online. Interestingly 4 cars were offered and sold on eBay within the last 3 months. One broken one was auctioned for $73!, the second went for BIN price of $230 with broken MJ figurine, third one sold for $399 with COA but no box, and the forth was just recently sold for $420 without COA but boxed.
With this background, I actually jumped on the last sale and won it with very tight margin of $7 over the second bidder. I am not a MJ collector, but I am interested in oddities and rarities in the diecast world, hence my interest in the subject. Based on brief additional research the model is the only DM Camaro featuring decals of a sport's team and the only one I found accompanied by a figurine of a real person.
I did receive the model, and I was pleasantly surprised by its quality, the decals are very sharp, there is absolutely no paint rash and the car is eye catching display piece. The MJ figurine is very nice, however oversized compared to the model. All said, this model is a keeper. I would take pictures, but this is a substantial time investment for me, so I want to make sure there is some interest.
Considering the blooming prices, I wonder if more MJ Camaro's will show up for sale. Perhaps some of them went to MJ collectors...
Thanks for reading.
10/06/2015 8:17 am
I was wacthing that one Chav and thought it would go for more
DM did a '72 Cheyenne pickup with "The Rock" the wrestler themed vehicle which came with a figurine also, probably about as scarce as MJ
10/06/2015 9:18 am
And I've been watching 'The Rock' on ebay. He was asking nearly $600...it sold or was pulled..
I appreciate that some rare images are bringing big money. But, buying some of them is like buying a 1:1 collector car/truck...you'd better like it yourself because you may be stuck with it for a while.
10/06/2015 9:53 am
I agree but .....
AS should be the case, only buy a collectible for your enjoyment and NOT as an investment. As long as it pleases YOU owning it, it has worth! Yes it's nice to know that many of my 1:24th die-cast are worth 2-3 times what I paid for them, and it's even gotten me to ponder "to sell or not to sell" as it's a fairly good time now to sell some of the more rare models. BUT keeping them keeps winning out, and I WILL have them displayed by the end of the Fall season come HELL or high water! 
Topic starter
10/06/2015 10:51 am
Ryan, I also thought it will go higher, although the same Camaro was listed at BIN for 550 with no takers. Sometime however a bidding war may bring the auction prices unpredictably high. I didn't really bid to win, I mostly bid for fun. There were 3 bidders above 400, my bid was the highest by a narrow margin.
"The Rock" is new to me but after looking some pictures ... it's just not my cup of tee.
Topic starter
10/06/2015 11:10 am
Billy, completely agree.
My "savings" in collecting diecast come from abstinence of driving luxury wheels.
The highest price I've seen paid for 1:24 diecast in recent years was 2K for a black MCUSA Talbot Lago LE of 50. Collectors must like them because none has shown for sale since.
Topic starter
10/06/2015 11:29 am
Agree Phil, enjoyment is the most reasonable payback to expect...
... and perhaps recovering some of the cost if you really need to sell one day.
10/06/2015 11:34 am
Chav Here's the Brochure for it
photo no longer available
I have found out that you can ask till your blue in the face. Nobody seems to knows anything when it comes to rare cars like this. They tell you it's rare, but never why.
Here's one for you.( I have everything that came with it, Box, Title and Unpacking slip ) I have asked Moe/Rick about it and he knows nothing about it. He never knew they ever made it. I have searched Dm catalogs, nothing. I have asked everywhere nothing. Just know that what you have is RARE and why nobody knows will stump you for years.
photo no longer available
10/06/2015 11:55 am
I hear you Phil. Well said.
10/06/2015 11:59 am
When the price gets too salty - 'the hunt' isn't so much fun and takes a little thought.
10/06/2015 12:54 pm
Dang, he's a big dude, he's gonna need some goggles
Topic starter
10/06/2015 12:57 pm
Thanks for the brochure Jim...
It printed pretty well. If you ever find a second one, I would be interested to buy it.
Topic starter
10/06/2015 1:15 pm
Goggles...LOL...here is where Marlowe will jump in...
His MJ Camaro + basketball version have confused some sellers who started adding basketballs to the set...
Of course nobody can fit MJ behind the steering wheel, as shown on the brochure picture, without breaking his legs or arms. Hence people started putting him on the tonneau, which makes his arm look unnatural.
Probably DM figured out they will have tons of "liability" with MJ broken legs due to the oversized figurine, and killed the project.
10/06/2015 7:11 pm
rarity
My understanding, from talking to DM over a decade ago was that certain models were produced for TEAMS, or Companies and, as with most diecast models there were overruns! These could amount to a few dozen to a hundred or more. DM's Heshey's truck was to go to Hershey's store for resale, but after the initial order, the amount was cut back by Hershey's and the remaining sold to the public. The most famous was the FM 1913 Model T "State Farm" which had been an order for 6500. State farm kicked it back with a supposed 2300 odd purchase, and the remainder was changed into the numbered limited edition of 1996 with an issue of 4200! I believe the MJ Camaro was meant for the Bulls RETAIL SHOP, and the remainder was offered to the public, but not advertised.
Topic starter
11/06/2015 4:07 am
Roy, even if the majority teams/companies models...
were sold in the teams/companies stores, they should still exist and be part of the secondary market supply. If produced and sold in thousands we should be seeing them offered for sale fairly often. Perhaps with these rare specialty models we are talking about hundreds...