American Pickers - April 10th

[nick8086]

This should be fun to watch.. He had a lot of kaisers ..

 

Wolfe and Fritz agree to spend more than $90,000 for antique motorcycles..

 

I hope they show this

 

He had three Frazer Convertibles in one barn ... a 49, a 50 and a 51. ;

 

 

http://www.oregonlive.com/tv/2017/04/americans_pickers_comes_to_ore.html

 

Edited April 10, 2017 by nick8086 (see edit history)

[JACK M]

Thanks for this.

I hope I can stay awake.

[Joe in Canada]

Every one keeps forgetting it is a reality show that is pre scripted and negotiated. Then a contract is signed before the film crew and the stars of the show rehearse their lines on the pre negotiated deals. Something like wrestling I guess.

[AC Fuhrman]

Still fun to watch - I'd never happen on to all of the places they visit!

 

[victorialynn2]

2 hours ago, Joe in Canada said:

Every one keeps forgetting it is a reality show that is pre scripted and negotiated. Then a contract is signed before the film crew and the stars of the show rehearse their lines on the pre negotiated deals. Something like wrestling I guess.

 

Not according to this, although I do believe most shows are.

http://pamplinmedia.com/pt/11-features/353241-232344-salem-mans-car-collection-revs-up-american-pickers-

 

[capngrog]

1 hour ago, victorialynn2 said:

Not according to this, although I do believe most shows are.

http://pamplinmedia.com/pt/11-features/353241-232344-salem-mans-car-collection-revs-up-american-pickers-

 

V2,

Thanks for posting that.  I've been watching the 'Pickers' show for a number of years now and have always enjoyed the show.  One would have to assume a certain amount of "scripting" in a show like this; however, as your posted link explains, the show is much more realistic when Mike and Frank are genuinely surprised by what they find.  The cameramen are the real pros in a show like this since they have to follow Mike and Frank everywhere, yet still get the clear, stable shots.

 

I'll be watching 'Pickers' tonight and thank Nick 8086 for his original post and the heads up.

 

Cheers,

Grog

[Joe in Canada]

Ever notice when they are freelancing I think they call it. They will knock on a door of a supposed unsuspecting persons and hand them a sheet of what they are interested in. The person does not look at the camera or ask why they are being filmed is what I remember of the TV show when I used to watch it. I know that I would not be oblivious of a camera crew on my porch when I answer the door.

Its entertainment. Do people also still believe Storage Wars is also real. They swore up and down it was real until they fired one of the crew who let the cat out of the bag in a legal battle that followed.

Edited April 10, 2017 by Joe in Canada (see edit history)

[keiser31]

RATS! They were in Oregon and missed stopping by MY place?

[SC38dls]

My daughter helped get Mike started with the TV show, she was an executive with a cable channel that did not want to use the show. She told him who to see and which channels to pitch it too. It is unscripted and they have a lot of people tell them no and to leave. They just don't have time to show all of them. They also have too get releases on everyone that they show on camera. That will is not always easy to do. It is classified as a reality show but it is one that is unlike any other especially auto shows.  

[8E45E]

It covered Zane Leek's collection of Studebakers in Keizer, Oregon.

 

Craig

[1937hd45]

I hope I taped this, I saw the $90,000 motorcycle mentioned and thought it was a rerun of the Florida buy a year or two ago. They have been to two places some friends have and they both had a good time, one of the better TV shows. Bob

[JACK M]

After reading the local interview with Zane Leek I have to think that some of the information I have garnered form this site as well as other sources that this show isn't as set up as some people think or expound.

Someone recently posted that they knew these guys as they were swapping near them at Hershey. They said that Danielle was a Hollywood actress or something like that. I would like to know more about that as I am a dirty old man that admires her.

[alsancle]

I don't think Danielle is an actress but all Realty TV is improv with amateur actors.  They are working off a loose script and any negotiating you see that results in a sale has been 100% worked out up front.

[Restorer32]

Danielle does not work in any of their stores. She is just a personality and long time friend of Mike's they use in the shows. If you don't believe the show is scripted I have a bridge I would like to sell you. The year before the show aired they were at Hershey in the Red Field with their American Archaeology truck. Since then a good friend of theirs has occupied the spaces. I asked him about the show. He says it's scripted, as are all reality shows. Another fellow who appears now and then on the show parked in our spaces at Hershey last year, with permission of course. Interesting show if you just suspend disbelief when it airs. Those who have been to their stores say the emphasis is far more on souvenirs of the show than actual collectibles.

[trimacar]

I agree that it's mostly scripted, but it's still fun to watch what people have stashed away.  It's often educational, too, although the Pickers don't seem to have much luck with buying cars.

 

I do remember the one in California where they had a Stanley Steamer pass them, they followed it and found a well-known collector's place.  That HAD to be scripted, and I further heard that collector sold nothing, that what was "purchased" was stuff the Pickers placed in the collection....

 

Interesting, too, is that many shows on the off beat networks (ones that never had shows before, Netflix and such) have disclaimers up front that state "Scripted Series" or something relating to the fact that it follows a script.

 

My son and I watch a show called "Forged in Fire", think some is scripted but overall it's an excellent show with talented people making knives and swords in hours....and always with a twist in methodology or the like....

[michel88]

I recorded the show last night and just finished watching it.  It's the first episode of their new season (S17 E1) and it was really interesting even if it is scripted.  They bought some really rare bikes including a '31 Indian four with the engine out of the bike but it had been rebuilt and went with it.  Another rare one was a '22 Ace four cylinder for $45,000!  There were a lot of a nice cars mostly independents.  There was a very pretty light green Frazer 4 door convertible that was not for sale.  I am sure it will be repeated and it is well worth watching.

[Terry Bond]

Have known several different folks who have been visited, starting with AACA First Lady Sally Barnett years ago.  She wouldn't hardly sell them anything.  They visited another friend of mine in Wisconsin who wouldn't sell anything either - until they got into his basement and managed to buy a particularly nice early and fairly rare bicycle.  Heard he later told someone when they expressed surprise that he'd sold the bicycle,  "no problem, I have another one even nicer."   The visit a couple of years ago to my old friend Hank Snow's place in Boykins Va wasn't just a "free-style" encounter as it was depicted on TV.  It was a wonderful tribute to a great old car guy that was probably set up that way.   Regardless, it's about the only thing I watch on TV anymore besides some concerts on PBS and a few other car shows, like Chasing Classic Cars.  The Minerva episode was fantastic.   

My wife and I call these "shut-up and eat your popcorn" shows.  Don't try and analyze them or figure them out, just enjoy.  And enjoy the popcorn!

Terry

[alsancle]

I have a friend that was an "expert" in a few episodes of one of the popular reality TV "discovery" sort of shows.  A few things you can count on:

 

1.  Any great discoveries were planted (and usually provided too) by the expert.

 

2.  All negotiations are predefined and worked out.

 

3.  All price estimate on discoveries are of course preplanned since the guy doing the expert analysis often owns the piece that was discovered.

 

4. ALL spontaneous sorts of encounters are preplanned and scripted.

 

As far as American Pickers goes,  I have a hard time suspending disbelief when they burn hundreds of dollars in fuel, food and lodging to buy 100 dollars worth of stuff at a stop.

[60FlatTop]

You can lead a Kaiser owner to the script, but you can't stop the different drummer in his head.

 

They HAVE to bring in ringers for this one.

 

First personal encounter at age 16. My Mother was with me and she never forgot the experience.

Bernie

[Grimy]

In 2002 I bought a full-length horsehair coat and a 1925 Gilbarco Red Crown gas pump from either Danielle or her twin at a junque shoppe called The Atomic Garage in West Des Moines, IA.  Far fewer tattoos then, if it was in fact Danielle.

[Terry Bond]

You can Google Danielle and learn more - she's a roller blade vet, burlesque/exotic dancer, film producer, history buff and lives in Chicago, is married to a French graphic artist and designer, and has kids and pets.  Interesting lady.

Terry

[1957Birdman]

I am amused by some of the negative reactions to shows such as American Pickers, Chasing Classic Cars, etc. I personally don't want to see a show with bad camera angles, people stuttering and saying "you know" every sentence, and no story told once the hour is up. I really like Wheeler Dealers and it is obviously scripted. I don't care. They present a quality product that is interesting to watch and informative. They have a formula and stick to it. The shows that get to me are the ones that have to bleep out f-bombs constantly and have egotistical owners emoting all the time.

The producers, directors, cameramen of these shows earn their pay.

Lew Bachman

1957 Thunderbird

[1937hd45]

When the American Pickers visited a friend there was a crew of about 25 people. When I watched a local show shoot Chasing Classic Cars with Wayne Carini, there was Wayne, a camera guy and a gal with a clipboard. They are two must watch shows in out house. Bob ...........................oh I also enjoy Graveyard Carz nobody is more passionate about the cars he loves than Mark Worman. Bob

[trimacar]

8 hours ago, 1937hd45 said:

They are two must watch shows in out house.

Bob, that's a great typo...uh, if it's a typo?  I never had a TV in the out house....

 

I watched the 90K American Pickers show last night, it was interesting to see all the cars and motorcycles...the only thing that didn't ring true was Frank and Mike discussing a "credit line" of 40K to be able to afford bikes.....I don't think money is a problem with them at this point, and bet that Ace motorcycle was going right into Mike's collection.....

[Restorer32]

I lost my virginity regarding reality shows when I more or less accidentally ended up at the Orange County Choppers shop while on a mission to look at a '59 Cadillac for a customer. Virtually all the custom bikes they supposedly built for "customers" were in their on site gift shop and for sale. Apparently the only "customer" was the TV production company. The '59 Cad wasn't that nice either.

[Taylormade]

2 hours ago, trimacar said:

 

 

I watched the 90K American Pickers show last night, it was interesting to see all the cars and motorcycles...the only thing that didn't ring true was Frank and Mike discussing a "credit line" of 40K to be able to afford bikes.....I don't think money is a problem with them at this point, and bet that Ace motorcycle was going right into Mike's collection.....

 

I had exactly the same reaction.  The show has been a long running success, and there is no way they couldn't come up with that kind of money in a heartbeat.  Also, as a professional filmmaker, I can attest that everything described as reality or documentary is really just a series of scenes chosen by a producer, director, cameraman and editor.  What they choose forms the basis of the "reality."  Not only is there a camera crew showing up at these people's door, there is a guy with a boom microphone and a production assistant standing there, too.  Scripted is probably going a bit too far - I doubt that the people are given an actual script, or that they would be able to perform from one.  It's more role playing, where items and stories are discussed before filming and an approach is decided on.  Without this cheat, it would be impossible to churn out the volume of shows necessary for each season.

 

There's an easy answer if you don't like the show - turn off your TV.  I would personally watch an hour of true reality as someone tried to rebuild a rare transmission or struggled to paint their engine correctly, but there is not anywhere near the interest from the general viewership to make that kind of show financially possible.  It's the reason YouTube has so many long, horribly produced, but informative videos on their site.

[60FlatTop]

The first time I saw American Pickers the show started with a shot of them driving along in a Mercedes-Benz truck. "I" had to be bleeped right after "What the". I even used two oh's. Irish style, to accentuate it.

 

First impressions. I still remember the blind date in Niagara Falls, Canada in the sleeveless shirt and the tufts of underarm hair, French, I think. They didn't have tattoos back then. Pickers, amazing the thoughts it triggers.

Bernie

[60FlatTop]

1 hour ago, Taylormade said:

 I would personally watch an hour of true reality as someone tried to rebuild a rare transmission or struggled to paint their engine correctly,

 

How about changing points in a Willys pickup?

 

My Son produces videos, but says he is too young to have the stigma attached.

 

Or Mike.

 

I do have an audio tape I made back in the 1990's. It's my impersonation of Andrew Dice Clay servicing the brakes on a '59 Cadillac.

Bernie

[1937hd45]

6 hours ago, trimacar said:

I'll let that spelling correction pass, it would make your post look odd. Turns out I didn't tape Pickers, have to watch (and tape) it next week. Like the show or not it allows America to get to see the inside of a lot of buildings. Here is something to watch, if Danielle goes on a pick, and is in the van, in the buildings then telling the viewers what is there and the history and value of the item how many outfit changes will she go through?

 

 

Bob, that's a great typo...uh, if it's a typo?  I never had a TV in the out house....

 

I watched the 90K American Pickers show last night, it was interesting to see all the cars and motorcycles...the only thing that didn't ring true was Frank and Mike discussing a "credit line" of 40K to be able to afford bikes.....I don't think money is a problem with them at this point, and bet that Ace motorcycle was going right into Mike's collection.....

 

[trimacar]

I was just playin', if you want to edit your post go ahead, and then I'll edit mine!  Yes, and it's amazing what some people hoard!

[1937hd45]

Just caught the replay of this weeks show with the ACE and Indian buys, they sure picked the best stuff out of that collection. There will be hundreds of other collections like that in the next 10-20 years, better start stacking money away. Bob

[Pomeroy41144]

On ‎4‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 8:28 AM, Taylormade said:

 

 

There's an easy answer if you don't like the show - turn off your TV.  I would personally watch an hour of true reality as someone tried to rebuild a rare transmission or struggled to paint their engine correctly, but there is not anywhere near the interest from the general viewership to make that kind of show financially possible.  It's the reason YouTube has so many long, horribly produced, but informative videos on their site.

 

 

Exactly.  I don't watch this reality TV garbage.    All fake.  Artificial time restraints / deadlines, manufactured drama and the other antics add up to one stupid hour of wasted time.  The gas monkey car flipper Richard is the worst.  If you want reality TV, try the Anna Nicole Smith show. 

 

Yes, a true restoration show would be great, but the short attention span crowd would never put up with it. 

Edited April 20, 2017 by Pomeroy41144 (see edit history)

[Joe in Canada]

On ‎13‎/‎04‎/‎2017 at 2:40 AM, 1937hd45 said:

Just caught the replay of this weeks show with the ACE and Indian buys, they sure picked the best stuff out of that collection. There will be hundreds of other collections like that in the next 10-20 years, better start stacking money away. Bob

In 20 years you will not need stacks of money to buy old stuff. Or even 10 years maybe.

[trimacar]

8 minutes ago, Joe in Canada said:

In 20 years you will not need stacks of money to buy old stuff. Or even 10 years maybe.

That comment reminds me of the Harrah's auctions in the 1980's, when 1000 or more collector cars were sold by Holiday Inn after acquiring the hotels/casinos.

 

Of course, we had no forum back then, but every time you'd talk to someone about it, the comments were "well, there goes the market" and "I should have waited to buy an old car, now the prices will really drop" and "that'll flood the market, no way all those cars will bring good money"......and so on.

 

Well, the cars did bring good money for the time, and prices just kept rising.  The "good stuff" will always bring good money, mediocre stuff and junk will keep going down in relative price.  Look at all the project cars that are lingering unsold, just too expensive to restore most of them.

 

Besides, as is oft said, one should buy what gives them pleasure and not buy for "investment" as far as hobby and collectables go.  One never knows what the market might do, so you'd better love it.....besides, as you grow older, you realize it's less the cars and more the friendships and experiences (due to and with the cars) that are important....

[Paul Dobbin]

I know a coupe of the people in Florida that were picked by "American Pickers".  It was legitimate, but much of it went on the cutting room floor.  They enjoyed and Mike and Frank and the crew. The lawyer got an extra $2000 for signing the release to use the footage. (Good negotiator) The check came form the Canadian production company.

Last fall I saw an ad that the American Pickers were coming to western NC and responded, thinking I could sell a bunch of stuff and not miss. it.  They asked for 40-50 photographs including some of the stuff I would sell.  I complied and was told they would call before they came.  NOTHING happened.  Like most of the posters on this Forum, my stuff is displayed in my barn/shop for my enjoyment.

My opinion was, I was to neat and orderly to be good TV, not a lot of dirt, dust & rust unless you go in my loft and parts room.

I'll let you know if they come this year. (Kind of glad they didn't come.)

[1937hd45]

5 hours ago, trimacar said:

That comment reminds me of the Harrah's auctions in the 1980's, when 1000 or more collector cars were sold by Holiday Inn after acquiring the hotels/casinos.

 

Of course, we had no forum back then, but every time you'd talk to someone about it, the comments were "well, there goes the market" and "I should have waited to buy an old car, now the prices will really drop" and "that'll flood the market, no way all those cars will bring good money"......and so on.

 

Well, the cars did bring good money for the time, and prices just kept rising.  The "good stuff" will always bring good money, mediocre stuff and junk will keep going down in relative price.  Look at all the project cars that are lingering unsold, just too expensive to restore most of them.

 

Besides, as is oft said, one should buy what gives them pleasure and not buy for "investment" as far as hobby and collectables go.  One never knows what the market might do, so you'd better love it.....besides, as you grow older, you realize it's less the cars and more the friendships and experiences (due to and with the cars) that are important....

Every once in a while I'll look at the Harrah auction catalogs I have and think about all the great cars he had. Remember the full page ad that was always in Hemming's with the list of parts wanted to finish all the ongoing restorations? We were so lucky to live during the Golden Years of the hobby. Someone with the time should trace the history of all the unrestored Harrah cars and see if the restorations are finished. Cheap fun would to pick the Top Six cars you should have bought at those auctions. Bob

Edited April 21, 2017 by 1937hd45 (see edit history)

[trimacar]

Bob, I agree on the golden years comment.  I restored a 1931 Chevrolet, starting in 1964, and as a teenager started driving it on tours in Louisiana.  My thoughts:

 

1960's....get it running, make it look presentable, have fun with it, some people did full restorations with excellent quality based on that era's standards

1970's....more of the same, although people were starting to do nicer restorations, and many companies were started to support the hobby (parts, chrome, and so forth)

1980's...prices started heading up, and restorations started getting better, and tearing apart an excellent original car to restore it started as a craze

1990's...we lost a LOT of beautiful original cars, no matter how nice they were, the feeling was they HAD to be restored...remember the for sale phrase "restored from an excellent original car"?

2000's...collecting cars really mainstream now, and prices rose high....during this decade, people woke up and realized ORIGINAL, unrestored cars were the real prize

2010's...overuse of the words "barn find" to describe every car that has dust on it, very nice unrestored car prices skyrocket, restoration costs so high that project car values plummet, restomods flourish with lots of original drivetrains for sale

 

[Joe in Canada]

9 hours ago, 1937hd45 said:

Someone with the time should trace the history of all the unrestored Harrah cars and see if the restorations are finished.

There was also the Barny Pollard collection of unrestored cars that was also auctioned you see popping up now and again.  

[Joe in Canada]

55 minutes ago, trimacar said:

restoration costs so high that project car values plummet

A good friend is having a one off 1914 Buick restored at the present. The basic body has just been finished except for final paint. It took no wood work and it is an aluminum body so only a crack on both sides below the rear door and no metal determination. The shop did a show quality job on the body and extremely nice work not a ripple to be seen anywhere. The cost for the work was about $10,000. less than value of this car finished. Still has to do the fenders, interior, paint and not to mention the chassis. So I can see why projects are plummeting.     

Edited April 21, 2017 by Joe in Canada (see edit history)

[alsancle]

So the cost of restoring the car was about 1/3 of doing the chrome on a big 30s Classic?