1948 Jaguar Chassis Construction “The Black Pearl”
Quick Specs
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302-Cubic-Inch (5.0-Liter) Ford V-8
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Cream Leather by Ron Mangus
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Rick Dore
Fade to Black Pearl
James Hetfield’s drawing of the “ultimate cool shape” for an automobile inspired the silhouette of “The Black Pearl.” The car began as a project to customize a 1948 Jaguar sedan, but ultimately a completely new aluminum body was constructed. “The Black Pearl” combines the curving Art Deco lines of 1930s streamlined French cars with the aggressive profile and lowered roof typical of 1950s American hot rods. The aesthetic experiment would be fully realized in “Aquarius,” also on view in the gallery.
Collection of the Petersen Automotive Museum, Gift of the Hetfield Family
This Vehicle featured in ‘The Vault’.
1948 Jaguar Chassis Construction “The Black Pearl” Gallery
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