Muscle Machine artist Rohan Day recently included a link in his email newsletter that directed readers over to JoesDiecastShack.com where he explained the process of creating a Muscle Machine from concept to finished product. Here are the pictures and notes that Rohan shared on Joe’s site:

Recently I’ve been asked a couple times what the process is behind the creation of a Muscle Machine, so I’m posting a sequence of images to give some idea of how it typically happens. First up is a rendering.

Second Stage is a sketch model. Here you can see a comparison of a stock bodied model to the Muscle Machines sketch model that has been cut, shut, and reproportioned.

From the sketch model the factory cuts this first model on which the tooling will be based.

Normally there’s a bit of a conversation as to how to fine tune the model, so notes get sent back and forth. Photoshop mockups help with the communication.

This is a later model from the factory taking into account the notes that have sent to them about any mods that were needed.

Once the factory resin models have been signed off on, you see the first early pre production samples, which are often a little rough around the edges.

Paint schemes and specs of which wheel/tire/hood/engine/color combos are mapped out on ‘E-sheets’.

The original drawing is modified to reflect the chosen paint schemes and is generally used on trading card art.

Finally you receive a pre-production sample that really looks like the production piece, though often a couple minor alterations need to be made. Sorry I meant to use the Purple with flames Vette pre-pro, but can’t find it…

Be sure to visit JoesDiecastShack to see the original post as well as tons of other great diecast information!

[via joesdiecastshack.com]

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.

*** See the latest updated information at the bottom! ***

Last week, “Big Lou” Tanahara of Tanahara Design unveiled several shots of an amazing new custom creation that is sure to make the die cast collecting community stand up and take notice. Lou’s new piece is call “The Sledster” and will be sold under his new Custom Crew brand.

Not many details about the piece have been revealed however, a few things have been mentioned on the announcement thread over on JoesDiecastShack.com. So far we know that the first release will feature two different paint schemes and will be VERY limited. Each piece will be numbered on the base with a hologram sticker and come in a acrylic case. Big Lou has stated that the total length is “just shy of 10 inches long.” A post on JaeBueno.com also stated that “the detailed bases are screw on, the headlights are jeweled among other things.” More recent photos have also shown that the Sledster is actually two pieces with the cab being removable from the trailer.

Its evident from the discussion on the thread, that the excitement and anticipation over “The Sledster” will continue to build while we wait for additional release details and pricing. For now, we can all just drool over these great photos!

***UPDATE***
“Big Lou” revealed all the information we’ve been waiting for during the very first LIVE broadcast of DiecastSpace.com’s Saturday Nitro!! Here’s the scoop:

• WHAT: Pre-order sale!
• WHEN: Monday, September 15th at 12pm PST / 3pm EST
• WHERE: www.customcrewstore.com
• HOW MUCH: $49.99 each (limit: 2 of each color variation)
• HOW MANY: 1248 of each color
• CHASE PIECES: None

[via joesdiecastshack.com]