Top 3 valuable car discoveries on American Pickers – Yahoo Autos
During the 10th season of “American Pickers,” Frank Fritz came across a unique and almost 100-year-old vehicle while exploring the residence of Pat Regis in Florida. The vehicle turned out to be a 1914 Merz Cycle Car, a small motorized vehicle that was manufactured in both the United States and Europe during the 1910s and 1920s. The cycle car played a significant role in automotive history as it provided an alternative to the full-size automobiles produced by major companies like Ford and the Hudson Motor Company which were not universally accepted at the time.
Merz opted to produce the more economical motorcycle/car combination, as the conventional automobiles were not widely embraced in the early 1900s. The 1914 Merz Cycle Car is a rare find today, with only two known to exist. This unique vehicle showcases a different era in automotive manufacturing, highlighting the innovative approaches taken by manufacturers to meet consumer needs in the early 20th century. The discovery of this rare vehicle added a distinct touch to the Pickers’ collection, showcasing the diversity of antiques and valuables they have come across during their travels across the country.
In a separate episode of “American Pickers,” the duo struck gold with an iconic find from a different realm of popular culture. In season 20, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz stumbled upon the original tour van used by the legendary rock band Aerosmith. Formed in 1970, Aerosmith is a renowned Boston-based group that has garnered immense success over the years, selling more than 150,000,000 records and winning several Grammy awards before being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Before reaching the peak of their success, the band spent the 1970s touring the country using a 1964 International Harvester Metro van.
Rumors of the van being stored in Chesterfield, Massachusetts led the Pickers to investigate the claims. After reaching out to Ray Tabano, the band’s original guitarist, the authenticity of the van as the original Aerosmith tour van was confirmed. This confirmation allowed Wolfe and Fritz to strike a deal to acquire the iconic piece of music history for $25,000. The purchase of Aerosmith’s original tour van was a significant milestone for the Pickers, adding a piece of American rock ‘n’ roll history to their collection.
The memorable finds on “American Pickers” are not limited to antiques and artifacts but also extend to rare and iconic vehicles that tell a tale of their own. The discoveries made by Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz during their cross-country adventures provide a glimpse into history as they uncover unique pieces from different eras and industries. Their encounters with classic cars, rock memorabilia, and other valuable items offer viewers a fascinating look into the world of collecting and preserving pieces of the past.