Imagine being paid to drive around the country looking through other people's amassed collections of historic treasures never knowing what is lying in wait to be discovered. That might seem like a dream to many, but it's how Mike Wolfe built a multi-million dollar enterprise
American Pickers has never promised to be a classic car show, but every now and then come across something really interesting, four wheels or two, gearheads can be sure it will be something rare and worth a lot of money
The greatest part of the shows, full restorations are never certain, sympathetic rebuilds leave historic vehicles are they were found retaining their cool factor.
10 Harvester International Metro Van - Aerosmiths Beginnings
Rare collectibles are one thing, but now and then a Holy Grail item comes along, something with an undeniable connection to a legendary rock band. Tucked away and forgotten in the woods, Aerosmith's 1964 Harvester Metro Van, remarkably still bearing its original paint.
Icons like this don't come along every day, choosing to soft restoration, keeping much of its history intact, eventually finding a new home for the van with none other than Aerosmith themselves.
9 Messerschmitt KR200 - Fourth Time Lucky For Mike
Mike had been after one of these microcars for a long time, failing previously to persuade owners to part with the three-wheeled icons. Fourth time lucky for a cool $35,000 walking away with a 1962 Merssechmitt KR200, of all the bubble cars of the era, KR200s probably the best of the bunch.
A car might be stretching things a little, three-wheels and just 1hp having more in common with a trike, even so, sporting enough room for two adults, flat out reaching 56mph, though being so low down these things feel a lot faster.
8 1954 Nash Healey - Not One, But Two
Double win, coming across two long-forgotten Nash Healeys, one needs some TLC to be roadworthy, the other less desirable with a Cadillac engine swap, total $46,000. Later Pinin Farina models from 1952 now a mix of steel bodies and aluminum panels, in factory spec fitted with Nash engines.
Any old classic is a gamble, there is no telling just how much money it will take to just get them running, on this occasion both turn out to be more valuable worth around $37,000 each.
7 Indian Twin - Patience Eventually Paid Off
Motorcycle fanatic Mike loves anything Indian, the slightest hint of the name getting his motor running. Early motorcycles are little more than adapted bicycles, Indians at the time among the better examples around, 7hp V-Twin motors being a very basic part of the reason collectors love them.
Unrestored is best as long as it runs, buyers preferring original paint, wear and tear adding to the collectibility, prices can reach as much as $60,000.
6 1935 Auburn Phaeton 653 - Found Buried In a Barn
Business is business, but every once in a while sellers clearly struggle to sell beloved cars, something prompting the pickers to make a promise to return once their latest find was up and running. Bought almost unseen, the 1935 convertible having sat in a barn for so long for sure a non-runner, $10k restoration later up and running, returning to the previous owner to keep a promise.
Sympathetic restoration doesn't bring top dollar, once completed the team's Phaeton valued at $45,000, still showing a healthy return, concurs models can easily double that figure.
5 1910 Royal Pioneer Motorcycle - One Of Four Known To Survive
Super rare items come along that just have to be bought, Mike failed to buy the bike at first, later returning and agreeing to spend $55,000 on a 1910 Royal Pioneer. Although 500 examples were built before a fire forced the closure of the factory, just 4 examples are known to survive.
Moment of madness turned sound investment, even before loading the Pioneer in the van a similar bike sold for $92,000 the previous week, definitely a good find.
4 Mickey Rooney/The Big Wheel - Cycle Car
Custom movie memorabilia always fetches premium dollar, when that happens to be a one-off car from used by an A-lister, then it's a must-have buy. Built for Mickey Rooney in 1949s The Big Wheel, this is a custom-made item, and the fact it still exists makes it highly collectible.
Even before a test drive agreeing to a purchase price of $13,000, built around a four-cylinder Indian engine alone makes it interesting.
3 1968 Plymouth Roadrunner - Muscle Car Rescue
Quick flipping a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, they sold it before even paying for it, saving a classic 70s Muscle car and turning a profit in the process. A non-runner having sat for 10 years, packing a 440c motor, it's the one to have, every gearhead preferring Chargers or Challengers these days.
Throughout the 70s American muscle was a dying breed, Plymouth's largest 440 motor at the time pushing out 375hp, 5 years later most big-block engines produced barely half that.
2 1983 DeLorean DMC-12 - Movie Star Car, Not A Sports Car
With the hype surrounding new production DeLoreans reaching fever pitch, original models are seeing a surge in demand and prices. Finding a genuine low mileage example grabbed Frank's attention the duo brokering a deal for $15,000. Perishables aside, due to the unique stainless steel body DeLorean are actually a sound investment, movie fame driving up prices and with the production cut short, there are tons of new genuine spare around.
Hyped to be modern sports cars, DeLoreans lacked power from their Renault sourced engines, best used as weekend boulevard cruisers than sports cars.
1 Merz Cycle Car - Stop Gap Cheap Motoring
Cheap affordable cars were still a dream in the early 1900s, cyclecars offering the practicality of a car with cheap costs of a motorbike seemed the perfect solution. Merz stepped up with the two-seat cycle car riding on bike wheels, powered by a small motorcycle engine.
The Pickers finding one of two known remaining Merz's, eventually settling on a $35,000 sale price, cheap it isn't, but it's certainly unique.