From the stage to the museum: this is James Hetfield's car collection from Metallica

We are used to seeing celebrities aboard dream vehicles, climbing into extremely expensive sports cars or stepping out of luxury cars that, at first glance, seem reserved only for the highest nobility. But there are also those who pursue their automotive dreams by buying, restoring or modifying cars to their own taste. That is the case of the car collection of James Hetfield.

The 56-year-old singer and guitarist of Metallica has donated his collection of hot rods and other unusual rides to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, in the California home of the musician and his heavy metal band.

Opened in January under the name Reclaimed Rust, the singer took the honours of inaugurating the spaces where truly unique, customised and rolling works of art would be displayed. The event, beyond a mere formality in which the exhibitor pays tribute to the owner of the collection, marked Hetfield’s first public appearance since his detox treatment.

There, in addition to being able to see the most spectacular ones, attendees could enjoy the accompaniment of a collection of ESP guitars, the manufacturer that sponsors and supplies instruments to Hetfield himself when he takes off the mechanic’s overalls to take on his duties as the leader and singer of his band.

An exhibition with an expiry date

Be that as it may, due to the lockdown caused by the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 that has spread Covid-19 across practically the entire globe, the Petersen Automotive Museum is currently closed and, given the circumstances, has published on its YouTube channel a short documentary featuring the star of the exhibition in his workshop and garage alongside some of his favourite vehicles.

Thus, among James Hetfield’s car collection, this video shows vehicles that the musician himself has decided to give a second chance. Like him, a vehicle’s life can be fragmented for any reason and, on many occasions, it is possible to bring it back from its ashes, but we are not talking about the case of the wrecked Ford Cosworth Cossie of Ken Block destroyed by a fire, but of cars that have been brought back to life according to the guitarist’s taste and preferences, just as he himself has done with his own life.

Hetfield himself describes himself as ‘father, husband, guitarist and singer of Metallica’, and as ‘obsessed with cars’, something he also shows on his skin, sporting numerous tattoos linked to cars, mechanics and the art of customisation: a summary of a heavy metal myth who has succumbed to his demons but has fought against them on far too many occasions.

A role model for many, whose passion for customised vehicle culture is well worth discovering. But given the international situation, since James Hetfield’s car collection will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum until October of this year, 2020, it is difficult for us to attend in person, so we recommend turning up the speakers and enjoying about 5 minutes of the ‘Fuel’ that the Petersen Automotive Museum has brought to the artist known as ‘Papa Het’ for inspiration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9J120SZT14