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 Johnny Lightning 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

Forever 64 – Release 13: This release includes the ’69 Dodge Charger R/T, the ’70 Plymouth Superbird, the ’72 Chevy Vega – Bruce Larson, the ’69 Chevy Impala SS Convertible, the ’92 GMC Typhoon, the ’68 Shelby GT500, the ’55 Chrysler 300, the ’77 Dodge Monaco, the ’81 Chevy Malibu – Beat the Heat, the Sprint Car – DiecastSpace, the ’77 Dodge Monaco – Demo Derby and the ’65 Chevy Chevelle SS.

JL 2.0 – Release 5: This release includes the ’87 Ford Mustang – Beat the Heat, the ’72 Vega Wagon – Warren Johnson, the ’87 Buick Grand National – Black w/Flames and the ’09 Dodge Challenger R/T – Mopar Drift car

Muscle Cars 1:24 Scale – Release 51: This release includes the ’68 Pontiac GTO and the ’49 Buick Roadmaster. – Release 52: This release contains the ’71 Plymouth Duster and the ’68 Chevy Nova.

* – Please note that this list was compiled based on information gathered by collectors fromonline 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 JohnnyLightning.com and others.

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!

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

Fresh off the heals of the partnership between Johnny Lightning and The Custom Crew comes the news of a new deal between JL and The Toy Peddler. Paul Biddle, owner of the Toy Peddler has been working on a 1:1 scale 1970 Challenger which is scheduled to be revealed in “person” at the Los Angeles Hot Wheels convention this fall. Pictures of the restoration progress have been released over the course of the last year or so and its definitely nearly completion as you can tell from the shot below.

Collectors will be able to get their hands on the Johnny Lightning version of the car as part of a 10,000 piece run that will be included in this year’s mainline. As you can see from the e-sheet, the 1:64 scale version of Paul’s Challenger will even feature the Toy Peddler’s web address on the windshield.

Click any image to see the larger version

This piece will be distributed to Walmart, Toys ‘R Us and possibly Target starting in the July 2010 timeframe. Stay tuned for pics of the pre-production samples as they become available.

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.

Here’s a look at some of the latest products from GreenLight Collectibles 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.

Hobby Collection Series, Release 5: ’10 Mustang GT; ’64 Plymouth Fury Sport; ’69 Ford Mustang BOSS 302; ’71 AMC Javelin AMX T/A; ’09 Corvette C6 convertible; and a ’67 Chevy Impala SS. All pictured below.

New Motor World, Release 2: ’55 Chevy; ’56 Ford F-100; BMW Z4; ’53 Caddy Eldorado; Jaguar XK; Lamborghini Gallardo; Land Rover Range Rover; Volkswagon 30; Mercedes Sprinter; Mini Cooper; ’65 Shelby Cobra; Volkswagon bus. All pictured below.

* – 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 GreenLight Collectibles 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!

1/18th scale: ’67 Mustang racer in cream and black; and 2010 Shelby GT-500 cars both in bright Blue and Torch Red.

Muscle Car Garage - Release 12: ’66 Mustang GT; ’68 Hemi Road Runner; ’71 GTO Judge convertible; ’72 AMC Javelin AMX; ’09 Corvette ZO6 GT-1; and a ’10 Camaro SS.

Auction Block – Release 11: ’66 Shelby GT-350H; ’68 Plymouth GTX; ’69 Chevy Chevelle SS; ’70 Corvette LT-1 ZR-1; ’71 Charger R/T; ’10 Ford Shelby GT-500.

* – 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.

Muscle Car Garage “Up in Flames” release 2 is coming at the end of October into November.

The series will include: ’66 Ford Galaxie; ’67 Chevy Corvette; ’69 Buick GS; ’70 Plymonth Road Runner; ’71 Chevy C-10; ’09 Dodge Challenger

*Pictures courtesy of Greenlight.com.

* – 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.

Most of the collectors and enthusiasts that frequent DiecastAUDIO tend to lean towards smaller scale die-cast. If you’ve stepped through my recently posted photo set from the GMP Experience during the Hotlanta Convention, then I’d say that there might be more than a small chance you’d like to see more of their affordable, highly detailed, larger scale pieces. Yes, the term “affordable” certainly means different things to different collectors, but when it comes to large scale die-cast, you’ll be challenged to find a piece with this level of detail and quality for GMP’s average starting price of around $100 to $150 (USD). If you haven’t had any prior exposure to GMP’s product line, then rest assured that you’ll get ramped up by seeing the occasional post (or more!) here on DCA.

Click to see the larger version

For starters, I’d like to introduce you to the GMP 1970 Plymouth “Blackbird” Roadrunner. This Stealth Fighter 1:18 scale piece as a plethora of features that include a:

• - Serialized Plate
• - Opening Hood, Doors and Trunk
• - Real Metal Leaf Springs
• - Functional Suspension
• - Rotating Driveshaft
• - Plumbed and Wired Engine
• - Tilting Front Seats
• - Fabric Seat belts
• - Removable Rear Side Windows
• - Opening Glove Box
• - Moveable Shifter
• - Poseable Steering

Needless to say, those are some pretty cool features – most of which could ONLY be done in large scale. If you’ve ever pondered adding some larger scale pieces to your collection, then I definitely recommend that give GMP a look. You won’t be disappointed.

Stay tuned for more GMP here on DiecastAUDIO.

Another package arrived in the mail from Johnny Lightning, so I just had to flip on the camera again and share in the fun of revealing the contents! A short video slideshow with detailed pictures follows the unboxing portion, so be sure to watch it until the end!

Correction: I mentioned that the Superbird does not have an opening hood and it in fact does – the fit on it was so perfectly flush that it appeared to be a solid piece!

Special thanks to Tom Zahorsky, Senior Design Manager at Johnny Lightning for the continued support and sending these great cars to share!

[via johnnylightning.com]

This final part of my Diecast Holiday Surprises series features a piece that was not sent out as a holiday delivery, but coincidentally arrived late enough to make it into the honorable mentions. As regular readers know, I attended the 2008 SEMA Show this past fall. While Mattel was not present there this year, they did partner up with K&N to offer an exclusive Plymouth Barracuda to the first 1000 people in line during the signing sessions with Hot Wheels Designer Jerry Thienprasiddhi.

As reported earlier on other sites, the actual car itself was not ready in time for the SEMA show. After meeting Jerry and getting a signed e-sheet of the car, each convention goer filled out a form with their name and address so that the car could be mailed out when they became available. Just over two months later the K&N Barracuda arrived, and I have to say it was well worth the wait!