opening to the public on february 1st 2020, a collection of james hetfield’s automobiles, guitars, memorabilia and photos will be showcased at the petersen automotive museum in los angeles. the exhibition ‘reclaimed rust: the james hetfield collection’ is a celebration of heavy metal band metallica, and its lead vocalist’s nine, most prized custom-vintage cars.

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
aquarius (1934 packard) | all images by kahn media

 

 

hetfield, a lifelong car enthusiast, views his collection as a form of expression to convey his artistic energy and distinctive personality. the key vehicles in his collection include 1948 jaguar ‘black pearl’, the 1934 packard ‘aquarius’, the 1953 buick skylark ‘skyscraper’, the 1937 lincoln zephyr ‘voodoo priest’, and the 1936 auburn ‘slow burn.’ each of the cars are designed and built from scratch by television personality and established car builder, rick dore.

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
aquarius (1934 packard)

 

 

‘reclaimed rust brings together two industries that go hand in hand with artist expression,’ tells petersen automotive museum executive director terry l. karges. ‘this is the first time the hetfield collection will be showcased to the public and we can’t wait to share the inspiration behind these extraordinary vehicles with the world.’

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
black pearl (1948 jaguar)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
black pearl (1948 jaguar)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
crimson ghost (1937 ford coupe)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
crimson ghost (1937 ford coupe)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
custom 1961 lincoln continental

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
custom 1961 lincoln continental

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
iron fist (1936 ford)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
iron fist (1936 ford)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
skyscraper (1953 buick skylark)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
skyscraper (1953 buick skylark)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
slowburn (1936 auburn)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
slowburn (1936 auburn)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
str8edge (1956 ford F-100)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
str8edge (1956 ford F-100)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
voodoo priest (1937 lincoln zephyr)

metallica frontman's built-from-scratch vintage car collection goes on view in LA
voodoo priest (1937 lincoln zephyr)

 

 

project info:

 

exhibition: reclaimed rust: the james hetfield collection

museum: petersen automotive museum

opening date: febuary 1, 2020

collector: james hetfield