The popular “Drivers” series from M2 Machines returns to retail this fall with a great line-up of classic castings that are sure to put a smile on collector’s faces. Release 12’s castings will include:

• - 1971 Plymouth Cuda HEMI -  Black w/White to Candy Turquoise Flame
• - 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona HEMI -  Black w/White to Candy Orange Flame
• - 1949 Mercury -  Black w/Gold & Green Flame
• - 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air – Black w/Candy Red Flame
• - 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 -  Black w/Black & Medium Pink Pearl Flame
• - 1969 Pontiac GTO -  Black w/Cyanide Blue Pearl Flame

The Chase piece for this release will a 1949 Mercury in Green with white flames and black pin stripes. Collectors can expect to see these hitting retail in September and October. Some online vendors have this series available for pre-order now.

Catch a glimpse of the Drivers Series Release 12 via these pre-production images. Click either image to see a larger version.

Here’s a look at some of the latest M2 Machines products that will be appearing in stores and online.* Found anything that isn’t on the list? Please submit it via the contact page, and we’ll update the list to your credit!

The Promotions – Standard (492 pieces) and Chase (108 pieces) versions of the ‘49 Merc produced for the 2011 DiecastSpace Super Convention and made their debut in Las Vegas in February. Remaining quantities are available online at 1stopdiecast.com and on the secondary market.

1:24 Scale – New larger scale releases include a ’65 Ford Mustang 2+2 289 in red or bronze and a ’71 Plymouth ‘Cuda 383 in yellow or white.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The "In the Stores" column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club

-Pictures courtesy of M2Machines.com and 1stopdiecast.com.

Here’s a look at some of the latest M2 Machines products that will be appearing in stores and online.* Found anything that isn’t on the list? Please submit it via the contact page and we’ll update the list to your credit!

Auto-Thentics: Release 15 – Auto-Trucks: Castings will include a ’50 Studebaker 2R w/plow, a ’56 Ford F-100, a ’54 Studebaker 3R, a ’56 Ford F-100 Stake Body and a ’58 Chevy LCF Spartan 60 (orange or Blue)

The Chase piece will be the ’58 Chevy LCF Spartan 60 in black/gold and the Super Chase is a ’56 Ford F-100 Stake Body in gold.

Auto-Projects: Release 2 – Castings will include a ’57 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer D500, a ’54 Studebaker 3R Flatbed, a ’58 Plymouth Fury, a ’69 Pontiac GTO Judge, a ’69 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi and a ’70 Ford Mustang Boss 429.

The Chase piece is a ’70 Mustang Boss 429 in a primer gray.

Drivers Series Multi-Packs:

Release 1A includes a ’71 Plymouth Cuda 440, a ‘71 Dodge Charger R/T Hemi, a ‘57 Ford Fairlane 500 and a ’57 Chevy Bel-Air w/TRU.

Release 1B includes a ’57 Chrysler 300c, a ’66 Chevy Corvette 427, a ’67 Chevy Nova SS and a ’70 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 w/TRU.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The "In the Stores" column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club

*Pictures courtesy of M2 Machines, Diecast Museum and 1StopDiecast.com.

Here’s a look at some of the latest M2 Machines products that will be appearing in stores and online.* Found anything that isn’t on the list? Please submit it via the contact page and we’ll update the list to your credit!

Detroit Muscle Release 13 includes: a ’70 Chevy Chevelle SS 454 in blue; a ’71 Dodge Charger R/T Hemi in lime green; a ’70 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Twister Special in orange; a ’70 Olds Cutlass 442 W-30 in red; a ’69 Pontiac GTO Judge Prototype in orange; a ’69 Ply. Road Runner 440 6pack in white;

The Chase piece is a ’69 Pontiac GTO Judge Prototype in black/gold, and the Super Chase is a ’70 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Twister Special in gold.

Detroit Muscle Release 14 (all Black with Flames) includes: a ’70 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428; a ’71 Dodge Charger R/T 440; a ’70 Chevy Chevelle SS 396; a ’71 Ply. ‘Cuda 440; a ’69 Pontiac GTO; a ’69 Dodge Charger Daytona 440;

The Chase piece is a ’70 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 in black/with gold flames, and the Super Chase is a ’70 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 in gold/ with black flames.

Ground Pounders – Release 2 includes:  a ’70 Dodge Challenger R/T in Lime Green or in Plum Crazy.

M2 also wants to tell you about a new end cap display coming soon to select Walmart stores. It will feature a large amount of 1/24th and 1/18th scale cars which will be coming out soon.

The for-mentioned 1/18th scale Ground Pounders will be just a couple of those featured in this display. Watch for them at a store near you.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The "In the Stores" column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club

*Pictures courtesy of M2 Machines and 1StopDiecast.com.

Here’s a look at some of the latest M2 Machines products that will be appearing in stores and online.* Found anything that isn’t on the list? Please submit it via the contact page and we’ll update the list to your credit!

Detroit Muscle – Release 12:

This release includes a ’70 Chevy Chevelle SS in orange; a ’69 Pontiac GTO in black; a ’66 Dodge Charger in met. orange; a ’71 Ply. Hemi Cuda in red; a ’70 Olds. Cutlass 442 in green; a 67 Chevy Nova in silver.

Chase pieces include a ’71 ply. Hemi Cuda in Black/Gold and a Super Chase ’69 Pontiac GTO in Gold.

Auto-Drags – Release 4:

This release includes a ’69 Pontiac GTO in black; a ’57 Desoto Fireflite in orange; a ’53 Ford Crestliner Victoria in red; a ’58 Chevy Impala in teal; a ’71 Dodge Charger R/T in gold; and a ’67 Chevy Nova in white.

Chase piece is a white ’69 Pontiac GTO with “Pep Boys”.

Drivers 101 – Release 9:

This release includes a ’69 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi in yellow; a ’69 Ply. Road Runner 383 in black; a ’57 Chevy Bel Air in blue; a ’66 Chevy Corvette 427 in green; a ’67 Chevy Nova SS in orange; and a ’57 Ford Fairlane 500 in purple/black.

Chase piece is a ’69 Ply. Road Runner 383 in blue/white.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The "In the Stores" column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club

There are some good things coming from M2 Machines this year. Some very good things! Don’t believe me? – Then feast your eyes on this pair of 1:64 scale Studebakers that are in the works for the Auto-thentics line.

M2 has plans to pay homage to the great Studebaker Corporation by producing several Studebaker cars and trucks. These pictures give a glimpse of the 1949 – 1952 Studebaker 2R trucks that were the first modern designed trucks after World War II. Collectors can expect to see several versions of these pieces that will include all the great detail and quality you expect from M2 Machines.

Here’s a look at some of the latest M2 Machines products that will be appearing in stores and online.* Found anything that isn’t on the list? Please submit it via the contact page and we’ll update the list to your credit!

Auto-Dreams Release 12 (All in Black with Flames): ’51 Ford Crestliner, ’49 Mercury, ’55 DeSoto Fireflite, ’55 Dodge Royal Lancer, ’57 Chevy Bel-Air, ’58 Plymouth Fury (Chase pieces are unknown at this time)

Click any image to see a larger version

1:24 Scale Release 12: ’71 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda in Lime Green or Red, ’57 Chevy 210 Hardtop in Blue or Cream

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The "In the Stores" column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club

Here’s a look at some of the latest products from M2 Machines that will be appearing in stores and online.* There is very little coming out this month. For those of you who follow this line you may have trouble finding what you want in the stores. I suggest an online retailer if you want to find what your looking for. Found anything that isn’t on the list? Please submit it via the contact page and we’ll update the list to your credit.

Auto-thentics Release 11: ’58 Plymouth Belvedere in Teal; ’59 Caddy series 62 in lavender; ’57 Ford Fairlane 500 in red/white; ’57 Chevy Bel-Air in cooper; ’57 Chrysler 300c in yellow; ’55 Dodge Royal Lancer in 2 tone blue.

Click any image to see the larger version

Chase pieces include: ’57 Ford Fairlane 500 in Black/gold; and a Gold Chase of a ’59 Caddy series 62.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The "In the Stores" column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club.

M2 is hitting it hard! I will keep you up to date on all their lines and monthly releases as I can find information released.

 Auto-Lift, Release 3:

This new release includes: a ’49 Mercury in both red and gray; a ’66 Dodge Charger in both black and met. blue; a ’67 Chevy Nova SS in both met. orange and red; The Chase piece in this series will be the ’49 Mercury in a red and gold car.

Drivers 101, Release 5:

This new release includes: a ’71 Dodge Charger in purple; a ’69 Pontiac GTO Judge in red; a ’67 Chevy Nova SS in silver; a ’70 Ford Torino GT in yellow; a ’70 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 in met. orange; a ’57 Chrysler 300c in black; Which is also the Chase piece, this time in blue.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The “In the Stores” column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club

M2 is hitting it hard! Many new lines, chase pieces, entry level cars, and a new low mintage line. Watch for this company to grow and grow. This month releases are a little slower then last month. I will keep up all their lines and change them as they come out with new cars.

Release 8 includes: ’66 Dodge Charger in Black; ’71 Charger in Blue; ’70 Ford Mustang in orange; ’69 Charger Daytona in teal; ’67 Nova in white; and a Super Bee in lgt. gold; Chase Black/Gold ’70 Super Bee; Chrome Chase ’70 Mustang.

Release 8 includes: ’57 Chevy Bel Air in Black or Red; ’55 DeSoto Fireflite in Black or Purple/White; ’49 Mercury in Blue or White. Black/Gold Chase ’57 Bel Air; Chrome Chase ’55 DeSoto.

Release 2 includes: ’57 Ford Fairlane 500; ’70 Olds Cutlass 442; ’70 Dodge Super Bee; and ’70 Super Bee Gold Chase.

Release 2 includes: ’58 Ply. Belvedere in teal; ’70 Chevelle SS in yellow; ’57 Chevy Bel Air in orange; ’70 Ford Mustang in black; ’70 Super Bee in orange; ’57 Ford Fairlane 500 in Red/White. Chase is ’70 Mustang in white.

Drivers release 3 includes: ’70 Torino Cobra in Blue or Black; ‘71 Ply. Hemi ‘Cuda in White or Plum; ’67 Nova in Green or Yellow; and the Chase is a unknown at this time.

New series introduced to replace the missing Muscle Machines. Release 1 includes: ’71 Hemi ‘Cuda; ’56 F-100 pick-up; ’69 Dodge Daytona; ’57 Chevy Nomad; ’58 Ply. Belvedere; ’69 BOSS 429. Chase pcs. include a Maroon/Gold Daytona and a Chrome F-100 pick-up.

Newest release for their 1/24th scale models include: a ’57 Chevy Hardtop in Turquoise or Red.

New releases for various companies, clubs, and events. The latest is Autofest Exclusive 1 of 492 pcs. the 1969 Daytona Charger Pace car, white/ blue. Chase white/Gold is 1 of 72pcs.

1st. SHOTS One Stop Diecast online exclusive line. Release 2 is a ’69 Charger Daytona. These cars are limited to 972pcs. and are signed by one of the line workers at the factory in their native script on the roof before packaging. The cars are bare cast with black plastic parts to resemble a pre-production test shot piece.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors from online research and personal finds at retail locations. The ability to find select pieces will vary based on geographic location and the frequency that your local retailer refreshes their stock.

The “In the Stores” column is brought to you courtesy of the Connecticut Valley Diecast Club.

M2 Machines recently announce a new line of lower priced 1:64 scale models that will likely grab more of the “impulse buy” crowd than their previous releases. In order to reach the lower $2.99 price-point, the line sacrifices some of the more detailed features like opening doors & hoods, metal chassis and jeweled headlights and taillights found in the Auto-thentics and Detroit Muscle lines. However, features like detailed interiors, hood options, rubber tires (both stock and new larger versions) and the same excellent quality tampos will all be a part of this new direction for M2.

Three excellent muscle-car casting have been selected for the initial release. They include the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, the 1968 Plymouth HEMI Cuda and the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge. Each casting will be available in two different color variations as shown below. There will be one BOSS 302 chase piece packed into every master case of 48.

Click any image to view the larger version

As you can see in the photos, the rear of the card will contain a fun car-related technology tip that will educate young enthusiasts and keep their interest in cars and die-cast collecting alive. Drivers 101 will be exclusive to Target stores and select hobby retailers starting in August 2009.

Thanks to Fred Blood from 1stopdiecast.com for the photos which where originally posted on Joe’s Diecast Shack.

Sean Taylor from M2 Machines graciously sent out a box of samples for me to look at in preparation for our interview on Saturday Nitro. Since I didn’t know what was in the package, I thought I’d shoot a quick “unboxing” video so you could share in the revealing!

The 1950 Oldsmobile 88 can be found in Release 5 of the current Auto-Thentics line. The 1970 Mustang Boss 302 will be part of Release 3 for the Detroit Muscle line and features the new “Sky Hood” option!

I also need to make a few “informational” corrections. I identified the shirt Sean sent as a Snake and Mongoose design, but its really a Don “The Snake” Prudhomme design – very cool! In addition, Sean’s letter mentioned an additional piece of loose diecast that was not shown in the video. I was pleasantly surprised to find that one additional piece hidden in the bubble wrap at the bottom of the box. Ahh, the trials and tribulations of doing things “semi-live!” Stay tuned for a special post just for this additional piece. It definitely deserves its own feature rather than tacking on some extra video!

What did you think of the “unboxing?” Would you like to see more of this type of content on diecastAUDIO?! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!