Lionel Vapor Records Boxcar 29606 6464-496 Value?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how much this car is worth?

6-29606 6464-496 Lionel Vapor Records Boxcar

IT'S THE SAME CAR AS 29218 "6464-496" BUT ONLY A FEW WERE ISSUED TO VAPOR RECORDS EMPLOYEES WITH SKU # 29206

There were less than 10 employees at Vapor when this was made, so it would seem that these are REALLY hard to find. I have one on eBay right now and I am getting a bunch of requests to end the auction and sell it early from some VERY rabid customers. I had no idea it was this rare until I found the info about this SKU only being issued to Vapor Records employees. Can anyone help me out with determining it's value? FYI - what ever I sell it for will be going towards Christmas presents for my kids since I am unemployed. Thanks!

If you would like to see it go here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3164273791

[Bob Keller]

Whether or not it would be considered by some a "collectible" car would probably rest on actual hold-in-your-hand proof of it having been given to a Vapor employee, or delivered to Vapor Records.

Good luck!

Bob Keller
Classic Toy Trains

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that the SKU#29606 is the proof. Normally this car has the SKU#29218, but mine has SKU#29606. I searched all over the internet for 29606 and only found one reference to it at http://www.tcamembers.org/articles/collecting/6464chart/6464chart_notes.html - It is number 69 on the list and it references "Note 5" which says "SAME CAR AS 29218 "6464-496" ISSUED TO VAPOR RECORDS EMPLOYEES WITH SKU # 29206, BOX MISMARKED AS 6-29606" And if you go to http://www.tcamembers.org/articles/collecting/6464chart/ you can see that this guys seems to know his stuff. What do you think?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ogaugeoverlord

Whether or not it would be considered by some a "collectible" car would probably rest on actual hold-in-your-hand proof of it having been given to a Vapor employee, or delivered to Vapor Records.

Good luck!

Bob Keller
Classic Toy Trains

[brianel027]

Well since you already have the car on e-bay with no reserve, I guess it'll be worth whatever the high bid turns out to be. One thing about e-bay I've noticed is that the bidding can remain flat for days, then go up quite dramatically in the last few minutes. But again, it's a hit or miss.
The reported story on the car is, yes, the car was made for Neil Young as a handout gift to promote his record company. The car was reportedly overproduced and less than 1,000 ended up at dealers with no notice or publicity. When dealers realized what the car was, the price went from the normal $44.95 list to between $200-$250. The Greenburg 2003 book still lists this car at $160, but they can be had for less. I've seen them less for between $75-$100.
Whether the SKU helps you with the auction, I wish you luck. I hope you make out well on it. You never know... your best hope is some collector must have this car and will bid accordingly.
I can sympathize with your personal situation frumpkin... the economy isn't improving that much despite some reports. Here in N.Y.S. (the Roman Empire State) all you ever read about these days is layoffs and then even more layoffs in the thousands. It's pretty discouraging.
brianel

[Anonymous]

The boxcar may sure be rare and seems to be worth a considerable amount to collectors. I've seen this box car in person. It's sought of an off white color off with a purple sunburst with a picture of an animal on it. IMO- boy is that thing UG-LY. Just proves that collectors will buy anything so long as it's rare.