M2 Machines Auto-Thentics Releases

Castline, Inc. seems to have started this line around January of 2008 and already they're making their mark in the world of diecast. I've read that each car will be released in limited numbers of around 4000 to 5000 pieces for each model/color. That means, when you see them, you'd better get them before they're gone! This, then, is the release order for the M2 Machines Auto-Thentics line so far. I will try to keep it updated as new ones are released. The cars in each series each have a different paint scheme and/or wheel combination. Updated February 3rd, 2011.

Release 1A:
1954 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Pontiac Star Chief
1953 Oldsmobile 98
1951 Ford Crestliner
1957 Ford Fairlane
1954 Mercury Sun Valley

Release 1B:
1954 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Pontiac Star Chief
1953 Oldsmobile 98
1951 Ford Crestliner
1957 Ford Fairlane
1954 Mercury Sun Valley

Release 2A:
1954 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Pontiac Star Chief
1953 Oldsmobile 98
1951 Ford Crestliner
1957 Ford Fairlane
1954 Mercury Sun Valley

1955 Pontiac Star Chief - Release 2A

Release 2B:
1954 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Pontiac Star Chief
1953 Oldsmobile 98
1951 Ford Crestliner
1957 Ford Fairlane
1954 Mercury Sun Valley

Release 3A:
1955 DeSoto Fireflite
1957 DeSoto Adventurer
1954 Dodge Coronet
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer
1953 Ford Crestline Victoria
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Release 3B:
1955 DeSoto Fireflite
1957 DeSoto Adventurer
1954 Dodge Coronet
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer
1953 Ford Crestline Victoria
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

1953 Ford Crestline Victoria - Release 3B

Release 4A:
1955 DeSoto Fireflite
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer
1954 Chevrolet Bel Air
1954 Mercury Sun Valley
1957 Ford Fairlane
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

1955 DeSoto Fireflite - Release 4A

1954 Chevrolet Bel Air - Release 4A

Release 4B:
1955 DeSoto Fireflite
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer
1954 Chevrolet Bel Air
1954 Mercury Sun Valley
1957 Ford Fairlane
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Release 5A:
1950 Oldsmobile 88
1949 Mercury
1959 Cadillac Series 62
1958 Plymouth Fury
1957 DeSoto Fireflite
1954 Dodge Coronet

Release 5B:
1950 Oldsmobile 88
1949 Mercury
1959 Cadillac Series 62
1958 Plymouth Belvedere
1957 DeSoto Fireflite
1954 Dodge Coronet

Release 6:
1959 Cadillac Series 62
1949 Mercury
1955 Pontiac Star Chief
1959 Cadillac Series 62
1949 Mercury
1955 Pontiac Star Chief

1955 Pontiac Star Chief - Release 6

1959 Cadillac Series 62 - Release 6

1949 Mercury - Release 6

Release 7:
1958 Plymouth Belvedere
1953 Ford Crestline Victoria
1954 Dodge Royal
1958 Plymouth Belvedere
1953 Ford Crestline Victoria
1954 Dodge Royal

1958 Plymouth Belvedere - Release 7

Release 8:
1949 Mercury
1955 DeSoto Fireflite
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
1949 Mercury
1955 DeSoto Fireflite
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Release 9:
1954 Dodge Royal
1954 Dodge Royal
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer
1955 DeSoto Fireflite
1957 DeSoto Adventurer
1957 Chrysler 300C

1955 Dodge Royal Lancer - Release 9

Release 10 (Features cars pinstriped by Tom Kelly):
1950 Oldsmobile 88
1955 Dodge Royal Lancer
1951 Ford Cresliner
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
1953 Ford Crestline Victoria
1957 DeSoto Adventurer

1957 DeSoto Adventurer - Release 10

I have several of these models, so as I get them photographed, I'll be sure to post more images so you can get an idea what these highly detailed models look like. Please feel free to let me know what you think of them.

M2 Machines Auto-Thentics Preview

Just over a year ago, a new diecast company started doing business. Their commitment was to produce highly detailed 1:64 scale vehicles of solid construction and quality materials. Having found a few in my area and purchased them, I can say that I am totally satisfied that they achieved their goal! These models are marvelous. I posted a 1953 Ford Crestline Victoria in a previous post, but I wanted to talk a little bit more about them here. I'm planning on another more detailed post showing these cars inside and out, but this little look should at least whet your appetite for them. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are several thousand words' worth of pictures for you to get acquainted with the fabulous line of vehicles in the M2 Machines Auto-Thentics line. The above lineup includes, from the top, the 1953 Ford Crestline Victoria I posted previously, a 1955 DeSoto Fireflite, a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air and then 2 different 1955 Pontiac Star Chiefs, with different paint schemes.

Here is a closer look at one of the 1955 Pontiac Star Chiefs. You can see the detail is terrific! The doors open, the hood raises and the tires are made of rubber and feature whitewalls. The interior is fully embellished with all the appointments of a real 1955 Pontiac Star Chief. Two-color seats and a realistic looking dash.

From this view, you can see that they have used several dozen parts to complete the vehicle. There are chrome headlight bezels with clear headlight inserts, the hood ornament is a separate piece and there is a generous amount of chrome down the length of the car. They have even replicated the brushed aluminum look over the rear wheel wells. Below, is a recreation of a 1950's diner using some of the M2 Machines in my collectin to add to the realism of the photograph. I can't wait to work up a closer look at these vehicles so I can post a follow-up on them.