Nitro Coupes

Lately, it seems as if diecast is following the same lines as the National Football League. Sure, each brand wears it's own uniform, but in a lot of respects, the cars are equal. Same look, same feel. Parity is the word the NFL uses, and parity has found it's way into toy cars. But even among the equality, someone is going to score a touchdown. Here's a touchdown and a two point conversion. Introducing the Muscle Machines Super Chevy Show Nitro Coupes. A set of six cars that have taken the ball and run it all the way down the field.

All six models are very sharp reproductions of one of drag racing hottest segments. And these little beauties don't skimp on the details. Opening doors that reveal full roll cages, removable front clips showing off highly detailed engines, fat slicks on the rear and skinnies up front, and the longest wheelie bars I've ever seen on any small scale car. These bars are a full two inches long! Here's some pictures of a few of these details.

The nose clip on each car removes easily with a slight lift upward, then a straight pull to the front. They are secured with an audible "click" when snapped back in place properly. To Funline's credit, they detailed the procedure on the back of the card so you don't snap off the motor by doing it improperly.

Once you get that all metal clip off, you'll find multi-colored power plants, complete with blower belts that actually show the teeth on the underside, and a neat black chrome treatment on the manifolds and block. Chrome headers with braces, chrome blower and chrome valve covers complete the muscular look.

And since each car is different, each motor is different. It would have been easy to just plunk any mill into any car, but the folks at Muscle Machines chose to mold them each to match the real car they are replicating.

The interior of each car is decked out with a full racing cage, and contrasting colored instruments. And just like the engines, the interiors vary by car. Both in color and in style. It may be as subtle as the roll cage bar location, or a gauge placement, but each is it's own unique cockpit. Slick!!!

Now isn't that the longest wheelie bar you've ever seen in diecast?

The metal (yes, metal!) chassis of each car is also different from the others. Notice the root of that long wheelie bar? Yep, it's cast into the chassis. If you've been paying attention, then by now you should know these little cars are pretty heavy. And if you happen to have a moment of craziness, and decided to repaint one, you'll have an easy time disassembling the car. They are held together with screws.

Click the thumbnails below to see each full size picture


Big Gun	New York Thunder	Stinger	Shark Attack	Hot N' Nasty	Nitro Fish
94 Chevy Beretta	68 Camaro	33 Jeep Willys	91 Corvette ZR-1	37 Chevy Coupe	41 Chevy Coupe
Dan Nickelson	Mike Swinarski	Bruce Boland	John Reynolds	Gary Irving	Jim Nordhougen

Each car comes complete with a collector card depicting the real racer, with the car name and driver signature stamped in silver foil. On the back of the card is the complete 2003 racing season schedule.

Parity may be alive and kicking, and in some ways it's good. In some ways it's bad. But as long as someone breaks out for that long score, the game will stay exciting. This set does just that. TOUCHDOWN!!!!!

--Joe