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S5 E12 Grin and Bear It

Reality

PG

42 minutes

Jun 2, 2011

The guys are winging it in Texas when the automotive gods come through with not one but two once-in-a-lifetime picking opportunities. First, Frank bids huge money on a roached-out 1970 Plymouth Superbird. And down the road, Mike is prepared to pay top dollar for the holy grail of Volkswagen buses. A fun and prolific collector, Bill’s mega stash includes an old school general store, a room full of branding irons and a meteorite he claims came from Mars.Starring: Chris Fries, Steve Jones

Season 5, 31 Episodes

With slim pickings in southern Florida, Mike and Frank finally stumble on a hurricane-ravaged barn surrounded by some beautiful palatial homes. Later, the guys scour a reclusive millionaire's massive 40,000 square foot compound that is packed with high-end items. When Mike throws out his back, Danielle fills in and hits the road with Frank. Danielle takes them to a honey hole, but collector Roy is tough and his prices are out of control.

In a legendary Florida circus community, Mike and Frank get VIP access to an authentic retro sideshow. A born showman with epic stories to tell introduces them to the Wolf Boy and a world champion sword swallower. Later, the guys get junk drunk at Rick’s jam-packed property. A former pawnshop owner, Rick’s massive collection fills every inch of his 5,000 square-foot home. At a Tampa museum, the guys get some great news about a carnie artifact.

The Royal Risk,

Cruising along South Florida’s Treasure Coast, Mike and Frank are eager to dig up some rusty gold. Lifetime collector Bill is tough as nails but eager to sell, and his massive stockpile includes an arcade machine gun, nautical gems, and a rare puppet. Later, with a trio of century-old motorbikes in his living room, Pat’s staggering collection is a jaw-dropper. Mike falls hard for a rare 1910 Royal Pioneer, but balks at the mammoth price tag.

Cowboys and Cobwebs,

While Mike nurses his bad back and struggles to run the shop, Frank and Danielle head to Arkansas where the country roads are littered with rusty gold. Their first stop is John’s former trading post which is packed with awesome Americana. But with his deep south swagger he proves to be a slick salesman. Later, they visit Dr. Smith’s family hospital which has been shuttered for decades, but the century-old building is full of vintage medical curios and everything is for sale.

White Knuckles,

With Frank at the wheel and Mike's ailing back in a brace, the guys are back on the road together in Arkansas. Packed with cars, trailers, and outbuildings, the guys uncover a pair of rare motorbikes in John’s five-acre junkyard. Mike tries to keep a poker face while bidding on a 1944 Knucklehead Harley, and bundle-master Frank is surprised when John suggests a package deal. Later, a random freestyle stop leads to Larry’s mega pick honey hole.

Bad Mother Shucker,

In Arkansas, a lifetime collector opens the doors to his awesome auction hall. At first, the guys are put off with John's prices. But when the picking finally takes off, Mike pays big money for a pair of overalls and does business with a fast-talking taxidermy deer. Later, in a ghost town full of empty storefronts, Poindexter’s old-school general store is packed with merchandise, including a brass knuckle oyster shucker and a rare collection of Boy Scout memorabilia.

Traders of the Lost Parts,

The guys are thrilled to be back on the East Coast where they comb through Ken’s extraordinary stockpile. The lifelong New Jersey collector is ready to move some inventory. And with a jam-packed attic, rare Civil War memorabilia, and bargain basement prices, the guys uncover a peculiar telescope that may be worth some serious coin. After years of searching, Mike finally zeroes in on a rare 1911 Harley motor he needs to complete a personal rustoration project.

Going Hollywood,

With incredible and hilarious stories of cruising the strip in awesome cars, fast-talking Jackie ‘Hollywood’ unveils his incredible body shop art gallery on New York’s Staten Island. Later, in Eastern Pennsylvania, the guys revel in one of the biggest honey holes they’ve ever laid eyes on. Les and Loretta buy in bulk and have filled two sprawling warehouses with their mammoth vintage collection that's never seen the light of day.

Reverse the Curse,

The guys are freestyling near Atlantic City when they stumble upon an awesome collection of fine cars and motorbikes. Unfortunately, nothing’s for sale. That is, until Frank makes a gamble on a set of vintage wheels. In New Jersey the guys visit a junkyard that has everything from a flying saucer to a larger-than-life Popeye. Back in Iowa, the team awaits the appraiser’s verdict on Frank’s road-worthy 1963 Cadillac.

Bonnie, Clyde and the King,

Once a roadie for a long list of fabled performers, Travis’ home is like a rock’n’roll scrapbook. Back in the day, he traded his one-of-a-kind knives for priceless memorabilia. And though he’s reluctant to sell anything, bundle-master Frank steps in with a deal he can’t refuse. Later, in Louisiana, the guys get seriously fired up at the Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum, and while the collection is off limits, owner Boots offers up a promising lead.

Louisiana Purchase,

The guys are freestyling in Louisiana when Frank spots an Airstream trailer with an alien spaceship sticking out of it. Celebrating old school attractions, John’s quirky museum also features a devil of a sign, and a twenty foot alligator. Down the road, Warren’s tidy property is packed with great stuff and while he’s a tough-as-nails negotiator, Mike’s honest approach wins him over.

Grin and Bear It,

The guys are winging it in Texas when the automotive gods come through with not one but two once-in-a-lifetime picking opportunities. First, Frank bids huge money on a roached-out 1970 Plymouth Superbird. And down the road, Mike is prepared to pay top dollar for the holy grail of Volkswagen buses. A fun and prolific collector, Bill’s mega stash includes an old school general store, a room full of branding irons and a meteorite he claims came from Mars.

The guys reckon petroliana is plentiful in the Lone Star State, but tracking down a Texas-sized honey hole proves much trickier than expected. Packed with awesome stuff, Willard’s 40-acre property features a vintage village he built himself, but he’s determined not to sell a thing. Later, Mike makes a shocking discovery at Wanda’s treasure-filled home, but her mega tool wall is off-limits.

The Italian Job: Part 1,

In search of a rare racecar for an important museum client, the guys travel to Italy for what could be the biggest deal of their lives. But when they finally track down the sleek 1947 Cisitalia, their dolce vita dream goes bust! Hoping to salvage the expensive trip, the guys hit the road in their rental van and track down fellow picker Flavio outside Venice. An old friend of Mike’s, Flavio has a sweet collection of retro motorbikes.

Sicilian Standoff,

On the third leg of their Italian adventure, Mike and Frank head south to Sicily where Sally, an American with deep roots on the island, agrees to show them around. Before they get started, Sally warns that Sicilians like to hold on to their history, and then introduces the guys to a mother-and-son duo with an awesome collection of antiques and architectural salvage. The guys try haggling over the prices, and soon learn that Sicilian negotiating tactics include guilt and espresso!

London Calling,

Leaving Italy behind, the guys drive clear across the continent to London where they track down Mike’s old buddy Nile. A fellow picker and scooter enthusiast, he sends them to Norfolk where they haggle over an iconic red phone booth with a raunchy past. Next, the guys scour the neighbour’s jam-packed garage. A true British eccentric, Barry has amassed a cool collection of retro motors and mopeds, but the challenge is getting him to sell.

Dani Smells a Rat Rod,

Freestyling in Kansas, Mike and Frank meet an octogenarian artist whose one-of-a-kind collection includes a shrine to each of his six ex-wives and every other woman he’s ever been with. The hilarious pit stop pays off with a few purchases, but the day gets special when the guys grab a blowtorch to create a metal sculpture of their own.

Picking It Forward,

While freestyling in Kansas, the guys get a lead on a hot property. Rick’s junkyard is packed with rusty old cars, signs, and machinery, but it’s nothing compared to the awesome collection he’s got inside. Down the road in Greensburg, the boys put picking aside to help jump-start a charity auction for the town that was annihilated by a tornado.

The guys are freestyling in Kansas with a completely empty van when they stumble upon a staggering honey hole and a hot looking seller. Cammy ‘Camaro’s late father collected everything under the sun. But while she may be easy on the eyes, Cammy wants top dollar for everything. At first glance, Bill and Joanne’s collection looks like a bust. That is, until the guys uncover barn after barn of awesome stuff including the mother lode of battered pedal cars.

With a line-up of hair-raising Halloween picks, the guys risk everything in Pennsylvania and crawl back underground in search of ‘Mole Man’ Ron. His ever-expanding subterranean lair is packed with even more vintage treasures, and this time Frank is determined not to leave empty-handed. Later, at an abandoned Oklahoma amusement park that’s rusting into the ground, the guys look for relics they can rescue. In Missouri, Mike and Frank tour a former penitentiary with a seriously spooky vibe.

Lead of a Lifetime,

After a slow start freestyling in Oklahoma, the guys get an amazing lead and suddenly they’re hot on the trail of a motorcycle that once belonged to legendary gangsters Bonnie and Clyde. The boys are thrilled, and dreaming of a huge payday. That is, until they come face to face with the real Bonnie and Clyde. Later they wade into some tumbledown toolsheds to uncover not one, but two vintage motorbikes.

Pam's Labyrinth,

The guys are freestyling through some Missouri back alleys when they stumble onto a major honey hole that turns into great deals and lots of laughs. Over the years, artist Pam and her husband Stan have accumulated a massive stockpile of funky curios. And after some initial hesitation from Pam, the picking is fast and furious. Later in Oklahoma, the guys get a rare invitation to a vintage car company where the owner’s entire collection of retro relics is for sale.

The Einstein Gamble,

The guys hit upstate New York where a fellow picker and former firefighter shares his inspiring story and gives them unprecedented access to his jam-packed barns and sheds. The deals start flying, but it’s the firefighting memorabilia that’s got Frank all fired up. Later, one of the most fascinating men the guys have ever met is willing to part with some rare relics he's collected from his many famous friends.

A costume shop in upstate New York is an unlikely place for Mike and Frank to pick, but owner Nicky and her husband have also amassed an entire barn full of stuff. With lots of retro toys and a huge collection of KISS memorabilia, Frank is in heaven. That is, until he gets smacked with the prices. Meanwhile, Mike sets his sights on a crateful of Odd Fellows relics and hatches a bundling strategy that pays off. Later, the guys meet a local historian with barn after barn of unique treasures.

The King's Ransom,

Mike and Frank find themselves in paradise when they uncover a bonanza of bicycles and oilcans in rural Vermont. A former carnie turned collector, Ken is ready to clear some of his merchandise. While scouring his jam-packed property, the guys also unearth an elephant, an alligator, and a life-size sculpture of Elvis. Later in New York, an awesome rusted-out trailer leads to a honey hole.

For a Few Dollars More,

The guys are in Colorado, squaring off against a wild auctioneer named Cookie who is selling everything and moving on. She’s got a huge stockpile of cowboy collectibles but the fast-talking negotiator is determined to get top dollar for each and every piece. Down the road, a local artist and sign-maker has a killer collection of atomic age lamps. The pieces are great but he’s asking six figures for his one of a kind, glow-in-the-dark sculptures.

Mountain Mayhem,

Following up on a lead in Colorado, Mike and Frank take a dangerous shortcut through the mountains, but a major snowstorm stops them dead in their tracks. When they finally reach Leadville, the guys step back in time at the Tabor Opera House. Saved from the wrecking ball, the 135-year-old theater is packed with items the guys have never seen and they're determined to buy whatever they can. Down the road in Colorado Springs, the guys visit fellow picker and an old friend of Mike's junkyard home.

Cruising around Colorado, the guys hit pay dirt when they stumble on a veritable mega-pick. Don is trying to supplement his mom’s income by selling some of his late father’s awesome collection. And while the negotiations start off tough, the deals are soon flying. Later, the guys make the long journey to Massachusetts where Charles and Nancy’s hangar-sized garage is jam-packed with unique and classic European cars.

Backroad Brainstorming,

Time has stood still on a sprawling Connecticut dairy farm that boasts several jam-packed barns and a blacksmith’s shop that hasn’t been touched for decades. After a slow start, the picking is fast and furious. Up in the rafters, Frank spots a must-have Americana weather vane with a stormy past, but it’s up to Mike to dig out the part that’s buried in a tree. Down the road in Vermont, the guys pick one of the biggest barns they’ve ever seen.

Frank's Holy Grail,

The guys tour a Massachusetts school bus business that houses a mind-blowing collection of vintage petroliana. Finding items that are for sale proves tricky. But before long, Mike throws down a mega offer on a garage full of gas pumps, and Frank breaks a sweat—and the bank—when he uncovers the holy grail of oilcans. Later, in Rhode Island, the guys get a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to a mammoth Newport mansion where the stables are full of architectural salvage.

The Italian Job: Part 2,

Mike and Frank are in Italy where they’re determined to fill a shipping container with awesome artifacts they’d never find at home. With their translator Fred in tow, they follow a series of leads to an Italian mega-pick in Bologna. Down the road in Rome, they scour a sprawling collection that’s stored underground in Roman catacombs where they fall for a skeletal Fiat 500 that’s unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.

Details

American Pickers

Reality

PG

2 Seasons

42 minutes

Meet professional pickers, Mike and Frank—experts at finding hidden treasures in the most unusual places. From a 1930s Ferris wheel to a life-sized, hand-carved statue of Elvis, they scour the backwoods of the US in search of Americana gold.

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