Metallica Lead Vocalist James Hetfield’s Car Collection Is Rocking To The Core!

James Hetfield, the iconic frontman of Metallica, isn’t just known for his legendary guitar riffs—he’s also a passionate car enthusiast with an impressive collection of custom vehicles. From sleek hot rods to classic muscle cars, Hetfield’s garage is a testament to his love for performance, craftsmanship, and unique design. Each car in his collection has the ability to give Jay Leno's favorite cars a tough time. 

With a keen eye for detail and a need for speed, Hetfield’s automotive passion rivals his musical genius. Hetfield's car collection is worth over $2 million containing some of the finest "Rick Dore Kustoms" builds . Despite his age and being unable to take care of cars, Hetfield wasn’t ready to auction his cars. So instead of letting them go, he gave the cars to the Peterson Automotive Museum, where they are on display.

10. 1936 Ford ‘Iron Fist’

The 1936 Ford ‘Iron Fist’ was originally a five-window beater car that James took in and gave to Blue Collar Customs. Here, the ‘36 Ford has an air suspension system, custom exhaust routing, and a little modification to the airbag system. All of this was done to lower the car while at the same time not compromising on comfort or ride handling. Then the entire bodywork was hand-fabricated and painted silver.

The crew customized the interior with a 1950s Chevy steering column, nickel-plated accents, and oxblood leather upholstery, while other panels were finished in gloss black. For long trips, James had an AC and audio system installed, both discreetly concealed to preserve the interior's original look. James Hetfield's rare Ford, showcased at the 2012 SEMA and West Coast Customs Cruisin' Nationals, earned widespread praise. Now in the Peterson Automotive Museum, its value is unclear. 

James Hetfield's 1936 Ford Coupe "Iron Fist" Custom
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9. 1961 Lincoln Continental ‘Dead Kennedy’

The 1961 Lincoln Continental, dubbed "Dead Kennedy’ by James Hetfield, is a resto-mod. It is based on the 4th generation Continental, the same in which JFK was driven when he was assassinated. Once again, Hetfield assigned the Continental also to Blue Collar Customs.  The car has been restored and lowered. 

The design maintains a similarly subdued tone, with the suicide doors enhancing the overall somber ambiance. All the older bits have been swapped with new material but designed in the original style to keep the retro look intact. The car has been finished in black and comes with a hard top.

8. 1937 Ford Coupe ‘Crimson Ghost’

Another classic, refined and enhanced without sacrificing its original charm. The hardtop roof has been chopped, the fenders and running boards reshaped, and it features the signature Hetfield-modified grille. The entire car has been given a crimson-blood-red color. That’s how the car gets its name, ‘Crimson Ghost’. 

James Hetfield's 1937 Ford Coupe "Crimson Ghost" Custom
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7. 1948 Jaguar ‘Black Pearl’

The 1948 Jaguar ‘Black Pearl’ is a one-off Jaguar model among James Hetfield's custom cars that was completely hand-built by Rick Dore. In short, the Black Pearl is a coach-built hot rod built on a donor 1984 Jaguar Mark IV sedan. James said, “We started out with a left-hand drive Jaguar and the idea was to the idea was to modify it… and modify it… and modify it some more." 

The original Jaguar’s body was chopped and lowered with an AccuAir air-ride suspension, and the Black Pearl’s design took two years, drawing inspiration from fastbacks, pontoon shapes, and a 1948 Jaguar grille. The interior features a Lincoln steering wheel, cream leather upholstery, Mercedes-Benz carpet, and a customized '34 Plymouth gauge.

6. 1937 Lincoln Zephyr ‘Voodoo Priest’

The 1937 Lincoln Zephyr, also known as the ‘Voodoo Priest,’ was another stunning creation by Rick Dore and his team at RD Kustoms. James Hetfield salvaged the dilapidated donor car and breathed new life into it, transforming it into a masterpiece. He said, We threw '38 rear quarters on it because they were even longer and stretched that thing out… There is something about low and long and sleek that’s just beautiful”

The exterior is coated in a vibrant red with a hot rod style, featuring subtle tweaks to the front and more extensive modifications at the rear. The interior was also customized, with a white and red upholstery combo, while the rest of the cabin is finished in black. Quite an impressive transformation for a car that once sat abandoned on a Sacramento driveway.

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5. 1956 Ford F100 'Str8 Edge’

The 1956 Ford F100 ‘Str8 Edge’ came into being when James was looking to build himself a daily driver pickup truck. The donor truck for the project was an old 1956 Ford F100 extended cab that came with a flatbed. But the real challenge started when James and Scott Mugford from Blue Collar Customs started working on the body. But eventually things started to fall into place. 

The truck was fitted with suicide doors, a 2.25-inch chop, 1960 Ford pickup headlights, and a 1960 Chrysler grille. The team hand-built the fenders, firewalls, and side skirts. The engine was reworked for more power at Rex Hutchinson Racing, and the truck was finished in a custom sparkling purple before being delivered to James.

James Hetfield's 1956 Ford F100 "STR8 Edge" Custom
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4. 1934 Packard ‘Aquarius’

The 1934 Packard 'Aquarius' stands out in James' collection with its teardrop hot rod design, blending French styling from the era. Inspired by the 1939 Delahaye 165, it’s a far cry from the original 1934 model, now transformed into a true masterpiece.

James' Packard ‘Aquarius’, crafted by Rick Dore and his team at RD Kustoms, features a custom-shaped aluminum body from Marcel's Custom Metal and sits on a modified Morrison chassis with air suspension. Painted silver, it also boasts a powerful 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine—proof that beauty and beast can go hand in hand.

3. 1952 Buick Skylark ‘Skyscraper’

The 1952 Buick Skylark, dubbed ‘Skyscraper’ by James, was his first commission with Rick Dore at RD Kustoms. Inspired by Buick's factory sketches and based on the Roadmaster, it features a chopped and lowered roof for a sleek, smooth silhouette. We believe that the design of this car exudes true American vibes. 

James' Buick Skylark’s interior mirrors the exterior’s purple hue and features musical-inspired details, like a bass drum accelerator pedal and gauges shaped like Fender guitar picks. Basically, it's an ideal car for musicians who love whips. The original powertrain was swapped for a 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 to make it go fast, like superfast, literally! 

2. 1932 Ford Roadster ‘Blackjack’

James Hetfield’s 1932 Ford Roadster, dubbed ‘Blackjack,’ is a true custom masterpiece crafted by Josh Mills in Marietta. Built from junkyard treasures and barn finds, the team hand-built the harder-to-find parts, achieving a flawless, bolt-correct restoration.

The 'Blackjack' Roadster boasts a striking dark brown finish with a glossy black lower half, while the custom white top was hand-crafted by the team. Named America's Most Beautiful Roadster in 2017, it remains James Hetfield's most cherished car in his collection.

 

 

 

 

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1. 1936 Auburn ‘Slow Burn’

The 1936 Auburn ‘Slow Burn’ Boattail is the crown jewel of James Hetfield's collection. Inspired by Glenn Pray's fiberglass recreation of the 1936 Auburn 852 Speedster, James fell in love with its unique customization. As he put it, "I love the customization," and we couldn’t agree more, as it beautifully echoes the original.

Rick Dore transformed the car’s body, handcrafting most of the panels before giving it a sleek two-tone paint job. Inside, luxurious Egyptian leather was used, and the dials and gauges were custom-designed to maintain an original look. Powered by a 350-cubic-inch ZZ4 Ford crate motor, it sits on a RideTech air suspension and rolls on custom 15-inch wheels. Well, why they don't make such cars anymore? 

James Hetfield's 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster Custom "Slow Burn"
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