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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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