Has anyone seen the anouncement regarding a new diecast company called M2 Machines of Castline, Inc.?

On the other board, they showed pix and it is very exciting... looks like these guys will have proper proportions, nice detail, opening panels, as well as interesting (different) subjects.

I love late 60s muscle cars, but there are too many that are not quite done right anyway...

So, we have Shelby Collectibles and now M2 Machines putting out nicely detailed castings... will anyone else step up and get it all right instead of "almost" right (GL listening? and maybe Hot Wheels too)?

Have not seen or heard anything on this company. Are we talking the usual scales and at what price point will this detail be offered at? I'm not sure what the "other" board is so I don't know what they look like yet. I'd be interested in any quality diecast at the right price point however.

Plankowner, I'm the other board, LOL. There's pics of the new cars on my boards as well as at 1StopDiecast.

http://p085.ezboard.com/fjoesdiecastshackfrm10.showMessage?topicID=30195.t opic

http://www.1stopdiecast.com/08CastLine/castlinemain.htm


Joe
www.joesdiecastshack.com (http://www.joesdiecastshack.com/)

:eek: WOW!!! :eek: Those are AWESOME!!! Thanks for the links Joe. :thumbsup:

JP2

Those are very nice! Do they have their own website?

Wyatt, website is coming soon. It's in 'Construction' right now.

http://www.m2machines.com/

Joe

I think that this good news. Something different. I guess once their site is up, we can see who will be carrying these at retail.

From what I understand, initially they will be online only, with a small amount available at selected Toys R Us stores in the beginning (I am not sure about Fred Meyers Stores). Around release 4 - 5 they will start to be in Target and Wal-Mart with greater distribution.

Joe

Wow, quite impressive! Those cars aren't quite the sort of thing I like the most, but I might have to buy some anyway. They're very impressive from the pictures, and my collection is quite lacking when it comes to pre-60s stuff :lol:.

Joe,

Do you have a point of contact for them?

Wyatt, not here at work. Send me an email to jfalco@satx.rr.com as a reminder to get back to you.

Joe

As I had got an email from the company yesterday night. I had a chance to talk with them on the phone this afternoon. To what I was told do to the licensing issue they had to have 1 major retailer which they picked TRU. The price which I was told will be in TRU is $4.99 a car. Right now the company is looking for Distributors to sell their product. To my understanding each casting/color will be limited edition to 4,000 or 5,000 pieces. Since it is very expensive to produce each casting I was told after 6 months, the cars basically going to be available at all major retail stores. Due to this fact and since my company mostly specializes in 1/43 scale diecast, I probably won't even be touching them, until they get to Target (for my own collection).

Vadim

Looks good and nice to see some different stuff. Not sure if these will be for me as I am a true muscle car fan. Although, that Star Chief caught my eye!

It looks like a dynamite line-up of '50s iron. I'll be on the lookout for those! :thumbsup:

Wow, these look fantastic - too bad that the 50's mainstream US car line-up, while a welcome addition for many - is not exactly my collecting interest :( . Did any of the folks here who spoke with the M2 guys get an idea if they are planning to tackle other areas of automotive world?

Hey Gang,
Just a quick note we will have them and will have wholesale and retail available.

The first releases are available now for pre-order on our website now and we will have constant updates over the next 2 weeks.

I will make sure to get here and post as much as I can.

Have Fun,
Fred
www.1StopDiecast.com (http://www.1StopDiecast.com)

If these guys' castings are as nice as the pix suggest, I hope they get into other areas besides 50s US sedans. Of course, logic dictates that as long as they sell, and profits are sufficient to justify the expense of new castings, by all means I hope they branch out to include Hot Rods, Custom cars, and street cars from all decades!!! Though 50s US sedans are not my thing, this is a completely untapped subject area in the 1/64 scale - kudos to them for the attempt.

Next, I hope at least 5 or 6 distributors pick them up immediately, we need some degree of price competition, but overall it seems like the $5/car price point is a bargain given the detail. In fact, I hope they do not undersell themselves... if they are going to do good stuff like this, and if they are able, they should charge in the $6-$8 range and maybe focus on the hobby market since it is not as sensitive as the mass market.

I see HO scale (1/87) cars in hobby stores with no features, selling for $8-$12/each. There is no reason why these guys have to try and compete with the kiddie stuff that goes for the $1-$4 per car, but of course lets hope they are successful.

Lastly, will GL step up with a bit with more detail, better interpretation to scale, and with more opening panels with their own product line? GL is definitely better than the kiddie cars, modestly superior to JL, but lack of detail and inconsistent castings don't quite do it. I want to see them get better even if they have to raise the cost of a new high detail line by a buck or two - no reason why they can't do it as Shelby and M2 are proof that it can be done for reasonable retail pricing.

Aha! Great, a Star Chief! BRAVO !

Haven't heard anything until now... Saw some pics at the Diecast Shack, but didn't read about them... Look like they are pretty cool...
But what's wrong with Greenlight ?... You can't get much better than this for detail !!!

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/12-7_Mustang_Boss_429.JPG

Haven't heard anything until now... Saw some pics at the Diecast Shack, but didn't read about them... Look like they are pretty cool...
But what's wrong with Greenlight ?... You can't get much better than this for detail !!!

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/12-7_Mustang_Boss_429.JPG

Steve:

Greenlight has definitely gotten better. They seem to have gotten their issues with tampo sizes straightened out and the wheel details have gotten better. The '69 Boss 429 you have pictured there is certainly their best to date if you compare it to previous examples. I just hope they get their wheel size issues straightened out as well.

As Sheldon pointed out, these new M2 models look excellent from an authenticity and feature standpoint. These are my kind of collectibles. Being mainly a Mustang and Shelby collector, I hope they branch out into these cars as well.

Steve:

Greenlight has definitely gotten better. They seem to have gotten their issues with tampo sizes straightened out and the wheel details have gotten better. The '69 Boss 429 you have pictured there is certainly their best to date if you compare it to previous examples. I just hope they get their wheel size issues straightened out as well.

As Sheldon pointed out, these new M2 models look excellent from an authenticity and feature standpoint. These are my kind of collectibles. Being mainly a Mustang and Shelby collector, I hope they branch out into these cars as well.

I know, very well said SD64, those cars are soooo sweet looking, I can't wait to get that 57 Ford Fairlane, and the 64 Chevy, and
, well, all of them... I have a "playing with" and a "look at" collection... and those are going in the "look at" collection

Looks good, but judgement should be saved until we get the product out Unfortunatly, there is just nothing there that interests me, sigh. I like GL, I also like JL (some of them anyways) and they are fine with me. that LAST thing I want is for them to get more expensive (sorry, I'm poor LOL). I do wish some compant would make good castings of newer cars (besides the obvious Mustangs and Camaros). I would love to ket my hands on a good casting of the 05-06 GTO, Dodge Stealth R/Ts, and some of the more obscure sleepers like the GTP Grand PRixs and the newer Impala and Monte Carlo SS models. How about some good 80s muscle cars (OK, I use MUSCLE loosely LOL) like the GM B-bodies, late 70s/early 80 Malibu coupes, etc, etc, ah, i went on a tangent, sorry LOL.

They look good in the pics , but we will have to see them in person to judge their quality . Too many opening panels on cars this small usually have unsightly gaps / poor fit ... I heard that this company is the same one that makes Muscle Machines ...

I love the choice of cars. Wish they would have added a Studebaker Hawk. I hope the cars turn out as nice as the pictures.

I probably won't be buying any, I got burned out on $5 a pop cars back with Racing Champions "Mint Editions" back in 1997-98.,,

Sly, I too had high hopes for Mint Editions 10 years ago. As for MC2, Hemmings weekly e-newsletter says this group was associated with the old Funline brand.

Okay...M2 MACHINES Auto-Tentics pics...these are cool. First I'll post some close ups from a 1957 Ford Fairlane and a 1955 Pontiac Star Chief. As far as quality and size...check out the pics. IMHO the size is fantastic and similar to the HW Blackbox/100% and Jada DUBCity. Quality wise they are incredible. Chrome front/rear bumpers, metal screwed on base, chrome hood ornament and headlight bezels, opening doors and hood with very tight door lines and finally jeweled head/tail lights. Paint and tampo…perfect.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines011.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines006.jpg

M2 compared to Jada Toys. A perfect match.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines.jpg

M2 compared to Johnny Lightning.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines009.jpg

M2 compared to Hot Wheels Black Box. A perfect match.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines010.jpg

I was pretty fired up about these. The cars look surperb......until you close the doors. There's gotta be a way to fix that. It's a shame to see all that work on fine detail with a butt ugly door seam. Maybe some will be better than others, but the buy decision will be made upon inspection. Hoping for the best, but we'll just have to see. The subjects are a breath of fresh air IMO. Those old heavies have a certain beauty. The only thing plastic was the upholstery on some.

Mentally going over techniques, like filling and squaring off the door edges to close up that gap, but I'm not sure I'm up to the task of fitting and matching paint (don't think I'll live long enough to clear the workbench as things are)........we'll see what they look like when they come out and I can get them in hand.

[QUOTE=Roy Nakamura;2260081]Okay...M2 MACHINES Auto-Tentics pics...these are cool. First I'll post some close ups from a 1957 Ford Fairlane and a 1955 Pontiac Star Chief. As far as quality and size...check out the pics. IMHO the size is fantastic and similar to the HW Blackbox/100% and Jada DUBCity. Quality wise they are incredible. Chrome front/rear bumpers, metal screwed on base, chrome hood ornament and headlight bezels, opening doors and hood with very tight door lines and finally jeweled head/tail lights. Paint and tampo…perfect.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines011.jpg

I was looking at this pic and saw the sneak peeks looks to be a 58 or 59 DeSoto and a Olds Toranado. Nice,:thumbsup:

Haven't heard anything until now... Saw some pics at the Diecast Shack, but didn't read about them... Look like they are pretty cool...
But what's wrong with Greenlight ?... You can't get much better than this for detail !!!

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/12-7_Mustang_Boss_429.JPG

Sheldon's got some kind of axe to grind re; Greenlight, he went on the Greenlight board awhile back and tried to rip them to pieces.

I'm like several of you guys, I will have to waite and see them in real life. Bases on the photos, I would pass. The seams and fit are to poor for my taste. I would rather not have an opening panel then have one that looks like that Star Chief! But they may be better in real life.

WARNING !!!! OLD FART'S OPINION !!!

These babies are EXACTLY what I have been hoping would eventually come around ... TWO TONE Paint ! , Fenders skirts!, 1st time Models in 1/64th ! SWWWIINNNGGG!!!

The Detail is superb ... Check out the REAL hood ornament instead of what is available from the JL 50 OLDS 88 for instance where they offered a tampo:freak:

Expensive ? not at all if at $5 .. Burnt out with paying $5 10 to 11 years ago ? That's equivalent to $10-$12 today ..so the price isn't so bad if your priorities can support it...

I couldn't care less if the door gap is more than 1/1000th of an inch wide.. The car is only 3 inches long for cripessake.. The opening doors are popular for some collectors.. but what's the point . The hinge has to be grossly oversized to hold up from breaking off so it looks bizzaro when the door hangs so far from the body when opened.
I wish they didn't have opening doors for a cleaner look ..

WOW!! Finally a decent 57 Fairlaine, 54 Merc, and that Starchief!!
If they can keep coming out with never-before- released 1/64 models from the 50s and early 60s .. with this much detail, I'll be so cranked, I may soil myself !!!

Sorry guys.... too late...:o

[
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/toycarlvr/M2%20Machines/M2Machines011.jpg

I was looking at this pic and saw the sneak peeks looks to be a 58 or 59 DeSoto and a Olds Toranado. Nice,:thumbsup:

Nice catch on the SNEAK PEAK !!! It is a Desoto .. with the parking lamps located at the corners of the grill , it's gotta be a 57' .. SWEET !!! can't wait..

GUYS ............... If you haven't discovered this already , you HAVE TO check out Joe's site at Joesdiecastshack.com .
He has EXCELLENT photos and detailed "teardown" info on just how these babies are constructed..... WAY TO GO JOE ... That's the type of info that makes a huge difference when choosing who deserves my business!!:thumbsup:

Critique -wise , his photos of each model shows a few flaws on some of the cars that made me say "Oh Crap" . The 54 Chevy is not as nice as the 57Ford and the 55 Poncho. It's physically a bit bigger in scale and looks too wide.. The 51 Ford has some serious flaws with the placement of the rear end Ford emblem ....

Also , check out his explaination of what is found on the back of each card. It has pics of sneak-peeks and I see a 55 Dodge , a 53 Ford, and some WILD customs such as a 57 or 58 PLymouth with an extended body including "suicide doors" ..

Thanks again Joe for the extra homework!!!

Steve, thanks! Here's the link:

http://www.joesdiecastshack.com/m2A.htm

Joe

Hey, that's a great read at Joes site.:thumbsup: The cars do look good. Because the bumpers and other items are separate items, not molded in diecast metal, some of us customizers will be able to do swaps of these parts with other cars. :thumbsup:

I couldn't care less if the door gap is more than 1/1000th of an inch wide.. The car is only 3 inches long for cripessake..

Well said.... you can't expect a door gap to be to scale on a 1:64 scale car. Its just not going to happen. Also, take into consideration that macro photos such as those posted tend to exaggerate flaws that the naked eye typically won't pick up.

I am a fan of the opening doors and these appear to be done pretty well considering the scale. I prefer to display these types of cars with at least one door opened slightly to half way. Opening panels like this make displaying the cars more fun IMO.

It's exciting to see new 1/64 '50s cars in the marketplace, especially with such nice detail and quality. :hat:
I plan to vote with my dollars when these come out. :thumbsup:

New model from M2 Machines.it is nice car. :thumbsup:
I am from thailand.

I've been waiting for these to come out in stores since their release, and haven't found any. Then, the clear ones started to show up in TRU. I held out because I really wanted the regular custom or stock ones. After months of hunting and waiting, I finally broke down and got the clear ones.

Well, I opened one up the other day and was somewhat disappointed. Now, the details on these cars are great, the opening doors and hood are awesome, and the engine looks cool. But they are not all diecast. The body itself is plastic and it feels very fragile. I wonder if the stock and custom ones are the same.

Anyways, if anyone has a set or extra set of the M2 Machines 1AB release stock or customs and would like to trade for these, give me a shout.

The regular cars are diecast bodies . Obviously they cant make diecast clear , thats why those are plastic ... I saw very few 1st release in TRU . mostly the clear ones . Havent seen R3 customs at retail either . I got all mine online or from local hobby / toy vendors .

I've been waiting for these to come out in stores since their release, and haven't found any. Then, the clear ones started to show up in TRU. I held out because I really wanted the regular custom or stock ones. After months of hunting and waiting, I finally broke down and got the clear ones.

Well, I opened one up the other day and was somewhat disappointed. Now, the details on these cars are great, the opening doors and hood are awesome, and the engine looks cool. But they are not all diecast. The body itself is plastic and it feels very fragile. I wonder if the stock and custom ones are the same.

Anyways, if anyone has a set or extra set of the M2 Machines 1AB release stock or customs and would like to trade for these, give me a shout.

Try Kiddie Kar Kollectibles in Reading PA . Last I checked , most of the diecast issues if not all ,were still in stock. sales@kiddiekar.com or info@kiddiekar.com (1-610-375-4780)

Thanks for the info

OOOH MY GOD!! I just found out m2 is doing mucle cars. How many times are we going to do this?? I am very disapointed!!
Joe,

OOOH MY GOD!! I just found out m2 is doing mucle cars. How many times are we going to do this?? I am very disapointed!!
Joe,

Hi Joe,

what are you disappointed in??? The Muscle-Cars are going to be a separate line and not in the Auto-Thentics line. We should have 4 new Auto-Thentics castings before the end of the year.

Thanks,
Sean

I think he is referring to the gravitational forces that push a diecast manufacturer to producing muscle cars and I tend to agree. Muscle has been over done. Although I will give Greenlight props for doing some never done before castings.

I think the company that will survive the economy and the future will stick to seldomly done castings that the world has never seen. M2 appeared to be that company, until now.

There is nothing wrong with a muscle line, I guess, but why selections that have all ready been done when your line has been focused on unique pieces?? While the opening doors and such are great, is it enough to spend the extra money and buy what some will call, sans the extra features, another Road Runner ????

I think he is referring to the gravitational forces that push a diecast manufacturer to producing muscle cars and I tend to agree. Muscle has been over done. Although I will give Greenlight props for doing some never done before castings.

I think the company that will survive the economy and the future will stick to seldomly done castings that the world has never seen. M2 appeared to be that company, until now.

There is nothing wrong with a muscle line, I guess, but why selections that have all ready been done when your line has been focused on unique pieces?? While the opening doors and such are great, is it enough to spend the extra money and buy what some will call, sans the extra features, another Road Runner ????

Although many may feel that Muscle is overdone, it is popular and it does sell. I said it before and I'll say it again... I welcome a Mustang line done at this level of quality and features. There are not too many Mustangs that haven't already been done. However, M2 Mustangs may very well replace many of the current 1:64 Stangs in my display case If they are done to the same standards I have seen so far.

I really don't understand the disapointment over them starting a Muscle car line. I highly doubt M2 would stop making the current Autothentics line just because they are exapanding into Muscle. There is room for both. If you want unique, maybe they could focus on Special Edition Mustangs that are rarely done?

Although many may feel that Muscle is overdone, it is popular and it does sell. I said it before and I'll say it again... I welcome a Mustang line done at this level of quality and features. There are not too many Mustangs that haven't already been done. However, M2 Mustangs may very well replace many of the current 1:64 Stangs in my display case If they are done to the same standards I have seen so far.

I really don't understand the disapointment over them starting a Muscle car line. I highly doubt M2 would stop making the current Autothentics line just because they are exapanding into Muscle. There is room for both. If you want unique, maybe they could focus on Special Edition Mustangs that are rarely done?

I agree! I would love to see some more unique Mustangs that have not been seen yet. I think a muscle car line from M2 is a great addition to their current lineup as long as it sticks to what is unique, which it didn't do with this new release.