Friday, January 31, 2020

New At The Petersen Automotive Museum - Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection

Hetfield and Dore's "Black Pearl" as it is first observed by the attendees of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the exhibit "Reclaimed Rust - The James Hetfield Collection" featured in the prestigious Bruce Meyer Family Gallery within the Petersen Automotive Museum. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2020)

New At The Petersen Automotive Museum - Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection

For those who are fans of heavy metal rock music, the name of Metallica is emblazoned at the top of their minds ... this group has only sold 130 million records comprised through a 10 album catalog. The lead singer, guitarist, guitar designer, and one of two forming members of the band to remain a driving force, James Hetfield, started his life in Southern California Downey, came to motor culture honestly through having a father who, when he wasn't at work, was in the garage, tinkering.





James Hetfield was completely humbled and honored to be able to share a collection of very special artful creations between his ideas and the craftsmanship of  Rick Dore from his garage up in Northern California to here at the Bruce Meyers Family Gallery at the Petersen Museum. Image(s) Credit: Edmund Jenks (2020)

This ribbon cutting ceremony, the opening of the Reclaimed Rust - The James Hetfield Collection - was preceded by a Fireside Chat (interview) with Terry Karges - Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum of James Hetfield followed by an auction of two very special James Hetfield designed & signed (on the spot) guitars manufactured by ESP.








With the auction on the Hetfield designed ESP Guitars complete, a group photo (R to L) of Bruce Meyers, James Hetfield, Rick Dore and Terry Karges. Image(s) Credit: Edmund Jenks (2020)

The auction was held by Bruce Meyer, himself, with the proceeds going as a write-off donation to the Petersen Automotive Museum - a very exciting affair since the two guitars were set at a combined retail value of about $8,500.00 - the two guitars achieved bid sale results of about $17,000.00 much to the visible surprise of James Hetfield, himself.  I just went through the photo files and the 300 or so folks who attended this ribbon cutting were very pleased and entertained.

Key vehicles on display include the 1948 Jaguar “Black Pearl,” the 1934 Packard “Aquarius,” the 1953 Buick Skylark “Skyscraper,” the 1937 Lincoln Zephyr “VooDoo Priest,” the 1936 Auburn “Slow Burn.” which were designed by famed builder and television personality, Rick Dore, as well as the 1936 Ford “Iron Fist,” the 1937 Ford Coupe “Crimson Ghost,” and the 1932 Ford Roadster “Black Jack.”

Along with the custom vehicles, memorabilia on display also includes an ESP Hollow Body guitar and a Mesa amplifier that are painted to match the Buick Skylark “Skyscraper,” images displaying the build process of each car and a video of Hetfield talking about the cars.










Hood scoop detail created on the Skyscraper Buick Skylark. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2020)

The Skyscraper Buick Skylark. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2020)

This is a very credible display and custom car collection. The concept and inspiration of each car is described along the base of each car and the artistry of many of these customizations is exceptional.

One of the most heralded cars is the 1948 Jaguar “Black Pearl" which required much original metal formation through the use of a wood buck upon which the skin of the car was formed and designed by famed builder and television personality, Rick Dore.

The Petersen was so high on having this display, they placed it in the Bruce Meyer Family Gallery room, replacing  “Winning Numbers: The First, The Fastest, The Famous” (2019) which, since the reopening of the the new exoskeleton clad museum's launch, has had  only three other collections - "The Roots of Monozukuri: Creative Spirit in Japanese Automaking" (2018), “Seeing Red: 70 Years of Ferrari” (2017), beginning with the all silver painted classic display of "Precious Metal" (2016) - being displayed in this most prestigious space.

The Petersen Automotive Museum, once this exhibition has its run and is replaced in about one year, will be arranging additional exhibitions of this collection at other prestigious venues around the world - to this point, James was quite proud and effusive.

... notes from The EDJE

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ADDITIONAL Photo Resource >>>

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About Petersen Automotive Museum

The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. The museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles, 90036. Admission prices are $16 for general admission adults, $14 for seniors and $11 for children ages 4 to 17. Active military with ID, personal care attendants and children under age 4 are admitted free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For general information, call 323-930-CARS or visit www.petersen.org.




TAGS: James Hetfield, Metallica, Black Pearl, Aquarius, Skyscraper, VooDoo Priest, Slow Burn. Rick Dore, Iron Fist, Crimson Ghost, Black Jack, Bruce Meyer, Terry Karges, Petersen Automotive Museum, The EDJE

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Southern Californians Brabec & Currie With Co-Driver Las Vegas' Berriman Become First Americans To Win Famed Dakar Rally

Dakar Rally 2020 SSV Category/Class (Side-By-Side Vehicle) winners Casey Currie & Sean Berriman left, with Motorcycle Category/Class winner Ricky Brabec out on course in the Arabian desert. Image Compilation: Edmund Jenks (2020)

Southern Californians Brabec & Currie With Co-Driver Las Vegas' Berriman Become First Americans To Win Famed Dakar Rally

Now that the sands of Saudi Arabia have settled back onto the desert floor tracing the Dakar Rally's 4,881-mile course that began at the Red Sea and looped eastward toward the Persian Gulf at Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia, three Americans have won this 40 year annual off-road challenge for the first time.

Americans Casey Currie, left, of Corona and co-driver/navigator Sean Berriman of Las Vegas celebrate after winning the side-by-side vehicle event of the Dakar 2020. Image Credit: Motors Addict (2020)

Southern Californians Ricky Brabec, 28 - Monster Energy Honda Team rider from Hesperia, winner of the Motorcycle Category/Class along with Casey Currie, 36 - Motul-sponsored Monster Energy Can-Am Maverick prepared by South Racing from Corona and co-driver Sean Berriman , 28 (today - JAN. 17, 2020) of Las Vegas, winners of the SSV Category/Class (Side-By-Side Vehicle) become the first ever Americans to win the Dakar Rally, the world's toughest race, since it's inception in 1978.

American Ricky Brabec, today - JAN. 17, 2020 rode his factory CRF450 RALLY to overall motorcycle class victory in the final, 12th stage of the Dakar Rally 2020. His win gave Honda its first Dakar victory in 31 years, since its last win in 1989. Image Credit: AFP-Getty Images via LA Times (2020)

Patterned after the off-road challenge run in North America, the Baja 1000 (sanctioned by SCORE International), which began in 1967, the Dakar is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation. Most events since the inception in 1978 were staged from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal, but due to security threats in Mauritania, which led to the cancellation of the 2008 rally, events from 2009 to 2019 were held in South America. This 2020 edition was held in Saudi Arabia.

Image Credit: Honda (2020)

The rally is open to amateur and professional entries, amateurs typically making up about eighty percent of the participants. Competitors are sorted out into five competitive groups - motorcycles, quads, the cars class (which ranges from buggies to small SUVs), UTVs, and the trucks class. Many vehicle manufacturers use the rally's harsh environment as both a testing ground and an opportunity to show off their vehicles' durability even though, in fact, most vehicles are heavily modified or purpose-built.
[ht: Wikipedia]



SELECTED QUOTES - Various Sources

"Two Americans on top!" exclaimed [Casey] Currie after the race. "I’m blown away, man! Sean [Barriman] and my team did a phenomenal job. The car ran great all the time. It’s just an epic experience, and I’ll never forget it, for sure. This is my most emotional win ever. The amount of pressure that was on me was incredible. I love this rally! We’re coming back next year to defend our title. I’m very stoked for Ricky Brabec, he deserves it more than I do."

----

"We finally did it! This victory couldn’t possibly be better for Honda and the team. It was a tough and long race, but the team worked great together. The riders were good, the mechanics were good, the whole team worked really well. The bikes were really good in today’s final stage, and our main goal was for everyone to get here safely,”"stated [Ricky] Brabec. "I can’t thank everybody enough. The Honda team, and everybody that stands behind us, I thank all of you. I’m also deeply grateful to my teammate until last year, Paulo Goncalves. This was the first time for the event in Saudi Arabia, and the scenery was insane. I love it! We’re going to be back next year!"

... notes from The EDJE




TAGS: Dakar 2020, Casey Currie Sean Barriman, Ricky Brabec, Motorcycle, SSV, Side-By-Side, Saudi Arabia, Qiddiya, First, American, Motul, Monster Energy, Can-Am Maverick, Honda, The EDJE

Sunday, January 12, 2020

CES 2020 - THE GLOBAL STAGE FOR INNOVATION

CES 2020 - Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - EVHNews.com (2020)

CES 2020 - THE GLOBAL STAGE FOR INNOVATION

Photo overview gathered and presented by Electric Vehicles & Hybrid News managing editor Edmund Jenks (2020).


Hyundai Vertical Lift Aircraft - Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - EVHNews.com (2020)

CES is the world's gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years — the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.

Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers.

Future-Focused Automakers Turning to Startups

CES 2020 cemented its role as the most important show for automotive technology, with a handful of new car introductions (and re-introductions) plus lots of standalone technologies this week. Most US auto shows other than perhaps LA don’t generate a critical mass of tech-oriented auto company people, analysts, and journalists. CES certainly did.

HIGHLIGHT:

Automakers are preparing for the future of mobility by investing in and partnering with all sorts of technology and mobility-focused startups, which allows them to expand their knowledge, capability and expertise to remain relevant in an industry on the verge of massive transformation.

Some might snicker when Byton CEO Daniel Kircher called the M-Byte EV “the first smart device on wheels,” but not the people attending this show. Of the vehicle introductions and concept cars, all were electrified – EVs or plug-in hybrids – with no gas-engine-only vehicles introduced.

Enjoy this visual overview gathered on an overnight boomerang run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas Wednesday January 7th and Thursday January 8th, 2020. What a way to begin a year of exciting possibilities.

... notes from The EDJE



TAGS: Sony, Vision-S, Ford, Fisker, Nissan, Ariya, Mercedes Benz, Vision Avatar, Hyundai, Aisin, Toyota, EVBOX, Futurus, Renovo, Woven City, Fiat, Bell, Mobility Solutions, The EDJE