Full Speed or Nothing: Metallica’s James Hetfield’s Cars Heading to Petersen

Opening Jan. 30 in L.A., ‘Reclaimed Rust’ exhibit features rocker’s staggering car collection, with customs built for living fast. 

This month, the Petersen Automotive Museum in SoCal is bringing some major heavy metal thunder. On January 30 the museum opens “Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection Exhibition.” This new and exciting exhibit features ten custom cars owned by rock god and Metallica front man James Hetfield. It is the perfect blend of American metal meets American muscle. This marks the first time that all ten of Hetfield’s custom creations will be displayed together. And they will rock you: this is an event not to be missed.

Hetfield has been a dedicated car collector for many years, and has accrued a collection that is utterly incredible. Each ride is extraordinary, sexy, and a true marvel of custom car classics and hot rods. The exhibit varies from American muscle beasts such as “Skyscraper,” the 1953 Buick Skylark pictured above, to vintage Jaguar and even pickup trucks.

Hetfield has long been an active member of the car culture community, and is a member of the Beatniks of Koolsville car club. More than a collector, the musician isn’t adverse to getting his hands dirty–working on his cars and showing them at various shows and events. As you can see from his award-winning “Black Pearl”, a 1948 Jaguar Mk 4 (pictured above), his vision is salient: clean, creative, colorful, and unique.

The exhibit will feature “Voodoo Priest” the crimson 1937 Lincoln Zephyr pictured above. Additionally, there will be a 1936 Auburn roadster; 1934 Packard; a 1936 Ford; 1956 Ford F-100; a 1937 Ford; a 1961 Lincoln Continental, and more.

GIVE ME FUEL: James Hetfield (second from left) with Metallica bandmates Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett.

Of course, the Petersen and Hetfield will be kicking off the event with a red-hot opening night. Attendees may attend a fireside chat with Hetfield himself on Jan. 30. The evening includes some of the coolest cars we’ve ever seen, cocktails, and an auction with exclusive items.

Hetfield’s passion for building, restoring, and displaying cars has resulted in a previous collaboration with the museum in 2014 on sport coupes. Additionally, Hetfield was named a Founding Member of Petersen board of trustees.

For more information about “Reclaimed Rust” check out the Petersen Automotive Museum online.

Photos: Kahn Media/Petersen; Metallica.com James Hetfield

Join the Team Speed forums now!

S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.