Check out this article... Kudos to Sean, did not realize he was the sole designer:
http://www.breithaupts.com/totc670.htm

As such, I have some questions for Sean:

1) How much of the models are done in-house versus outsourced? Do you, Sean, actually make the models yourself from resin, and do the protos yourself in the USA? Or do you subcontract out the artwork and only supervise it? Whatever you can say about this would be interesting.

2) Since Castline has been around for such a short time (and remarkably there have been a barrage of new products out in that brief time frame), how long does it typically take to make a completely new casting versus tweaking a base casting to release a derivative car?

3) Likewise, how long does do you think it would typically take a large company (Mattel) to develop a brand new casting in the Collectible range? Just curious to know if company size matters in terms of time to market...

4) Although it no longer exists, Greenlight's website used to have a pretty cool section showing the fabrication process... Any chance Castline may consider something like this if time permits?

5) Looks like Castline mostly does subject matters - quite logically - that match their tastes as well as fit into their market strategy. How much of an impact is there on decisions for new subjects to be released by suggestions/requests made by hardcore collectors?

6) Are there any castings that you would LOVE to do but will NOT? If so, which ones and for what reasons would that be?

7) Would Castline ever consider (if licensing was not a problem, and after you're all gazillionaires and cannot think of any new subjects) doing non US subject matter, such as European classics ranging from regular cars to exotics? Don't forget that many European manufacturers have many US based designs and also have been strongly influenced by the US companies, and of course viceversa!

8) As a followup, is there a chance that Castline (any time in the future) would ever branch out to create castings from classic American race cars from the 50s-60s?

A case in point would be the Ford GT40, which has been done by several manufacturers - *but* their versions (like the Chargers and Mustangs) have NEVER been done to the M2 detail/feature level! Another cool subject that is from the 50-70s era would be some US based race cars from the CanAm days... sadly only done for kids by Mattel, or, if done for the collectible market (like Kyosho/JL), they have no openings or engine detail which in my mind is especially lacking because SO much of a race car is its engine!

9) Is there any chance that Castline may do race car liveries for some of their already released castings? Obviously, you may be limited to Lemans/NASCAR/NHRA but that would be awesome!

10) If someone were to approach Castline about doing a custom project, is that something Castline would do? Under what terms?

I hope these questions are as entertaining for you to answer as they were for me to write!

That interview was a cool read. I found this part really interesting:

"M2 is developing a technique to use the same basic casting for many different representative models of the same year. Modifications will include use of different engines, wheel designs and engine hood covers plus rear window louvers on some of the models. For example, the Ford Mustang, soon to be released in "Detroit- Muscle" Wave 2, will feature design modifications to represent many different cars of the same year vintage. Four different engine hoods and three different wheel styles will enable many different replicas to be made from the same casting. In addition as noted above, some cars will have rear wings, rear window louvers, different power plants and varied seating provisions."

That is going to make for some very fun 1:64 diecast collecting. I can't wait to see what else is done with that Mustang cast. I thought the '70 Mustang was a good choice because it is popular and there are quite a few different models that can be generated from it.

I also found this piece interesting regarding the manufacturing of popular models that have been done numerous times by other manufacturers:

"With these popular marques, the more models that are sold by M2 will hopefully keep the prices for these collector masterpieces at a reasonable amount."

This makes perfect sense to me... mix in some of the real popular stuff with castings that haven't been done before and we get original castings at reasonable prices. It also keeps the Mustang collectors happy :thumbsup:

The article was a great read, thank you for sharing. I am interested to see Sean's response to your questions...

Hey Sheldon,

It may take me a few days to answer all the questions. I'll get to them ASAP.

Sean

Great News in the article about the future release of the 57 DODGE.
My Ol' Gramps had a 57 Dodge in the early 60s with a two-tone copper/white paint job. I'll never forget it cuz he ran over our cocker spaniel as he was leaving our yard.. I was admiring the 4 spoke wheel covers in motion and witnessed "Rusty's " demise.. Sure miss that car :cry:

sean

any plans for some early model tow trucks ?
would love to see some made. there are alot of people who collect only tow trucks in 1/64th scale. this would also sell great with model rail roading s scale hobbyest and diorama makers.
thanks gunn

Tow Trucks would be cool, but I'll tell you what would really be cool...

How about vintage Ambulances? Not the vans of today & not just the old Caddies. How about old Pontiacs & Chevys as well. I think that would be a great series, like RC did in the late 90's with the police & fire vehicles. A series with 50's, 60's & 70's cars done up in ambulance dress. Probably alot of tooling cost involved, but I think it would be very popular. :)

Hi Sheldon,

Let's take the questions one by one when I get a chance.

1) How much of the models are done in-house versus outsourced? Do you, Sean, actually make the models yourself from resin, and do the protos yourself in the USA? Or do you subcontract out the artwork and only supervise it? Whatever you can say about this would be interesting.

We do not subcontract any work at this time nor do we plan to. I do not make any of the models or resin myself, all this is done in our factory in China. We have a team of very talented engineers and mold makers. I work closely with them on tooling/patterns. We supply them with as much info as we can. We are first supplied with a yellow resin model to review. Next is the gray tooling model with working doors, hood and details. After that is the 1st shot, the car is now cut in die cast. We have opportunities for changes before the car is cut. It is very difficult to make changes after in not impossible. So we really need to have a good working relationship with each other and give the best instructions we can to convey our ideas.

Thanks,
Sean

Hi Sheldon,

Let's take the questions one by one when I get a chance.

1) How much of the models are done in-house versus outsourced? Do you, Sean, actually make the models yourself from resin, and do the protos yourself in the USA? Or do you subcontract out the artwork and only supervise it? Whatever you can say about this would be interesting.

We do not subcontract any work at this time nor do we plan to. I do not make any of the models or resin myself, all this is done in our factory in China. We have a team of very talented engineers and mold makers. I work closely with them on tooling/patterns. We supply them with as much info as we can. We are first supplied with a yellow resin model to review. Next is the gray tooling model with working doors, hood and details. After that is the 1st shot, the car is now cut in die cast. We have opportunities for changes before the car is cut. It is very difficult to make changes after in not impossible. So we really need to have a good working relationship with each other and give the best instructions we can to convey our ideas.

Thanks,
Sean

Thanks for the response....

As a followup to this point, does this mean that the fellows in China are M2 employees or are they their own company who can essentially build models for whoever pays them - in this case M2?

In other words, you are telling me that the modelers are chinese?

No problem with me whomever does the modeling (if the guy is good he is good), but I am now wondering if other diecast companies do this or do they still have some of the modelers in house as is (or was) the case with Mattel?

I assume you know since you seem to have been in the industry for some time.

On another note, if this team of chinese craftsmen are their own company, can I assume that there are more than one company that do this in China? Because some US based diecast companies have products with AWFUL proportions where the modeler appeared to make some cuts with a sore thumb (check out the JL 70 Daytona.. never seen something so poorly done before), while others - for the same price - have good proportions (even other JL castings have nice proportions.. so you know I am NOT picking on JL).... so if there are many modelers in China, you obviously have to find the one that is good... correct?

Are there any US based modelers anymore?

Thanks again Sean. Look forward to the responses.

Very good article! Thanks sheldon for posting it. And another thanks to Sean; M2 Machines are the most impressive debut of a new company for a while! I love the detail, and the never before produced makes and models. Not since the old ERTL American Muscle series have we seen the features like clear headlights (oops, Fresh Cherries did too) opening doors (or trunks in the ERTLs) and chrome. Even more impressive is the sole responsibility for design by Sean..:thumbsup:.
The article stated "They subcontract the actual manufacturing processes to a trusted factory in China where a very good relationship is maintained." Could this be the same factory that produced the Nitro Coupes and/or the JDM touring cars from Muscle Machines? The level of detail sure is there.

Thanks guys for the good comments . I apppreciate them. Talking with Sean was not only easy but very enjoyable. I hope i can do it again sometime for an update. I'm glad that
this article was so well received! From what I have learned from Sean and read between the lines, a lot of good things are forthcoming in the future ! Can't wait!

Hey Dave :wave:

Somehow I missed that you wrote that article until now. It was an excellent read. Thanks! I'm looking forward to future articles.

Hi Skip

Check out previous issues of TofTC for approximately the last 7 years. I used to provide articles on a monthly basis to Doug a few years ago on many different collecting topics. And we did put out 2 books - basically the same content with upgrades of new info, pix and ISBN# for the second edition. The 1st Ed was selfpublished. But the latter book is presenty available at Amazon.com "Encyclopedia of Small-Scale Diecast Motor Vehicle Manufacturers " by Kimmo Sahakangas, Weber and M Foster. I use it often for my own research!
Kimmo and I also provided articles to the former Toy Car Collector Magazine and a couple of years ago a few went to Model Auto Review in England. But for some reason, the older I get , the less time I seem to have! Maybe I sleep more (?)It could also be that I spend more time on my favorite diecast boards!

But for some reason, the older I get , the less time I seem to have! Maybe I sleep more (?)It could also be that I spend more time on my favorite diecast boards!

As life changes, I'm many things get in the way of the hobby. Home maintenance, other hobbies, & work to name a few. I'm going to check out the book. Thanks for the info.

A great read!! I'm very glad they are making the '58 Chevy. I love those old Impalas! I would love to see an Impala series from Castline. Covering the years 1958 to 1969. I would also like to see 1972 to 74 Caprice convertibles and coupes.

A great read!! I'm very glad they are making the '58 Chevy. I love those old Impalas! I would love to see an Impala series from Castline. Covering the years 1958 to 1969. I would also like to see 1972 to 74 Caprice convertibles and coupes.

I've owned a '63 and my dad has owned a '67 and '69 427 'vert. They were great cars. I still remember cruisin' with the top down in the '69. Would have loved to have gotten the 'vert from him, but I was still in college and another collector traded HEAVY (vehicles and cash) to get it.

A great read!! I'm very glad they are making the '58 Chevy. I love those old Impalas! I would love to see an Impala series from Castline. Covering the years 1958 to 1969. I would also like to see 1972 to 74 Caprice convertibles and coupes.
I like to see a 69 Impala 2dr.HT Lime Green w/a dark Green top and light Green interior just like I had in 1973.

I also would like to see more Pontiac's from the 50's&60's. Along with a 66 Toranado,67 Eldorado and Station Wagons.

http://www.mako.com.au/buick/assets/images/66Rear2LGE.jpg

http://www.mako.com.au/buick/assets/images/66forumLGE.jpg

I used to have a '65 Impala SS coupe with 327 and factory 4spd. It was dark blue with a light blue interior. When I was selling it the guy that was looking at it said "no big block". Then he asked if he could take it for a ride, and when he came back he handed me the cash. I miss that car!

67 Eldohttp://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1967-Cadillac-Eldorado-5.jpg

http://members.tripod.com/~Strat954/68Eldo.jpg

http://members.tripod.com/~Strat954/69Eldo.jpg

http://members.tripod.com/~Strat954/67Eldo.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3231732479_f077af0613.jpg

I like to see a 69 Impala 2dr.HT Lime Green w/a dark Green top and light Green interior just like I had in 1973.
http://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/images/carpics/STL/3569/3569c.jpg