Craig Lowndes signed racing suit - advice requested

[TFJ100]

Hi everybody,

At my work we recently had a charity auction. One of the items donated was a Vodafone racing suit signed by Craig Lowndes. I bid on it and won. It didn't come with any documentation to say he'd worn it while winning Bathurst or anything like that, but it looks identical to the ones he wears while racing, so I assume it has been used for a V8 Supercars race or something similar. It is Craig's size. I bought it because:

-I thought I would need one for racing at some stage (I haven't ventured onto the track yet, but plan to in 2011 or 2012), and I am identical in size to Mr Lowndes
-I was getting an RPM X-Tech 2 suit which if it were new would be worth $1795 - I paid a lot less than that
-A similar suit at another recent charity auction went for $11,000 (apparently they got "carried away")

So my question is...should I carry on with my original plan and use if myself, or try and sell it and use some of the proceeds to buy a more simple suit?

Does anybody think the Holden race fans would go for this, and if so, where is best to sell it - Ebay?

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks, Torben

[Joe Garra]

I reckon you need to be able to authenticate the signature, or at least show it's similar. You can always look up "Lowndes Signed" on eBay under completed items and see what things have sold for. I collect assorted memorabilia or "crap" as Robyn calls it, but only buy things I like. Signed stuff is almost never worth what people pay for it.

joe

[Colin Byrne]

don't have much to offer about memorabilia but I'm getting a new suit for next year (my current one has more petrochemicals on it than my overalls!) and I'm getting this one

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Racewear/Race_Suits/OMP_Bolt_Race_Suit/1445/7859

it's a 3 layer suit (the rpm one is only 2 layers), FIA approved and is around $550 PP.  So if your going to hit the track on a club day this might be a good place to start at alot less than $1800!

[f1worldchamp]

In my humble opinon as a collector of a few signed pieces, motorsport and otherwise, the item would have very little value to a serious collector without proper documentation.

[TFJ100]

Thanks for your comments!

Don't get me wrong, it is definitely Craig's suit. I just don't know which races or practices he used it for, and there is no documentation to say. I will ask my colleague at Vodafone who got the suit off Craig in the first place if they can provide any further information.

The main point is, I got a nice suit for a lot less than $1795 (in fact, less than $550). Having a signature on it is neither here nor there to me, and so far my impression is that the comments suggest external interest could also be very lukewarm. Unless I hear otherwise, I might tuck it away for later use.

Thanks
Torben

[Brad M]

I concur, put it away to use later... wanna see the gtv on the track at RaceCraft in August.

As F1wc said, it'd be tough to get a return on your investment without a certification of authenticity.

[TFJ100]

Thanks Brad,

I am aiming for August, having had a good chat about it today to John Toomath.

I hope you'll be there...my new suit means I hope to turn up better looking than you even if I might not be able to beat you on the track ;-)

Cheers
Torben

[Brad M]

I hope you'll be there...my new suit means I hope to turn up better looking than you even if I might not be able to beat you on the track ;-)

That should be easy on both counts, did you get any Vodafone sign writing for the car with the suit ? ... I hear it takes seconds off your best time.

[TFJ100]

Well, that would be one thing Vodafone are good at then...

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

don't have much to offer about memorabilia but I'm getting a new suit for next year (my current one has more petrochemicals on it than my overalls!) and I'm getting this one

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Racewear/Race_Suits/OMP_Bolt_Race_Suit/1445/7859

it's a 3 layer suit (the rpm one is only 2 layers), FIA approved and is around $550 PP.  So if your going to hit the track on a club day this might be a good place to start at alot less than $1800!

Great find Colin.