Metallica's James Hetfield Loans Private Car Collection to Kearney Museum

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The American Automobile Experience in Kearney has received an exciting new exhibit: six classic cars from the private collection of Metallica’s frontman, James Hetfield. Known for his love of cars almost as much as his legendary music, Hetfield is sharing his prized automobiles with the public for the first time outside Los Angeles.

Hetfield's collection, previously housed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, will be on loan in Kearney for a year, thanks to the efforts of Blueprint Engines and local donors who coordinated with the Los Angeles museum.

Pete Stout, Director of Business for Blueprint Engines, explained that Hetfield's vision was to allow his car collection to go on a tour, akin to Metallica's concert tours.

“He is a huge car guy and he wanted to be able to share some of his private collection with the world,” said Stout. “Here at the American Automobile Experience in Kearney, we’re excited to have this fabulous display of vehicles here for a year.”

The James Hetfield Collection in Kearney Includes:

• 1932 Ford Roadster, aka “Blackjack”
• 1936 Auburn 852 Speedster, aka “Slow Burn”
• 1936 Ford Coupe, aka “Iron Fist”
• 1937 Ford Coupe, aka “Crimson Ghost”
• 1937 Lincoln Zephyr, aka “Voodoo Priest”
• 1956 Ford F-100, aka “Str8 Edge”

Alex Munoz, a mechanic at the Petersen Automotive Museum, expressed his admiration for the collection, singling out the 'Slow Burn' as his favorite.

“If you made a root beer float into a gem, that’s what that car looks like to me,” said Munoz. “There’s no wrong angles, the paint is beautiful, the stance is gorgeous and I think that’s where a lot of these cars, it’s the wow factor and to me that ‘Slow Burn’ has the biggest wow factor.”

The James Hetfield car collection is now on display at the American Automobile Experience in Kearney and can be viewed during normal operating hours. This unique exhibit provides a rare opportunity for car enthusiasts and Metallica fans alike to witness the craftsmanship and passion behind these classic vehicles.