American Pickers

10 Best Episodes of American Pickers - Season 2012

Pickers like Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are on a mission to recycle America, even if it means diving into countless piles of grimy junk or getting chased off a gun-wielding homeowner’s land. Hitting back roads from coast to coast, the two men earn a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory, transforming one person’s trash into another’s treasure.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 10, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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American Pickers - S2012E10

#15 - The Return of Hobo Jack (Season 2012 - Episode 10)

The guys make a return visit to fan favorite Hobo Jack's sprawling forest sanctuary in Illinois. But wading through his "junkalanche" proves easier than making a deal. In Chicago, the guys search for a big-ticket item as they scour a mammoth warehouse stacked floor to ceiling with stuff. Meanwhile, back at the shop, Danielle lines up an appraiser for a one-of-a-kind art cat whose ratty appearance is at odds with its staggering price tag. And along the Illinois back roads, Mike and Frank stumble on a former Dairy Queen turned pickers' paradise.

The episode was rated 7.30 from 43 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E12

#14 - Feudin' Pickers (Season 2012 - Episode 12)

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Mike and Rick head to Georgia and meet up with Eddie, a collector with a passion for planes and motorcycles. Later, Danielle sends the guys to Hatfield and McCoy territory to pick pieces related to the famous family feud.

The episode was rated 7.39 from 36 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E9

#13 - Boys' Toys (Season 2012 - Episode 9)

With his wife by his side, a self-confessed Tennessee hoarder is motivated to clear out his jam-packed log cabin home, and the showstopper is a 1947 Harley Knucklehead. When a restoration junkie's gas pumps are off-limits, Mike changes gears and sets his sights on a horse. A robot collector's sci-fi man cave yields a mint-condition astronaut toy but the cost could be other-worldly.

The episode was rated 7.39 from 33 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E30

#12 - Woody Wood Picker (Season 2012 - Episode 30)

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While in Michigan s Upper Peninsula, the guys stumble upon Woody the woodcarvers 80 acre property which features a Finnish sauna, an art gallery outhouse and a 100-year-old barn that s packed to the rafters. And later, the guys get first dibs on an aviation museum s once-in-a-lifetime sale and their guide turns out to be an American hero with an amazing story.

The episode was rated 7.41 from 29 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E4

#11 - Frank's Dog Days (Season 2012 - Episode 4)

Since opening his second store, Mike's feeling serious pressure to fill up the van. He gets lucky while freestyling in Virginia with Danielle. A cold call with Gary pays off with a pink jukebox and the remains of a rare 1930s motorbike. While he proves to be a tough negotiator, Doug's well-manicured property is a honey hole of petroliana. Henry's trailer homes are packed to the gills with unusual collectibles and he's ready to make a deal. Danielle proves she's got a picker's eye. But back at the shop, Frank has a tough time tracking down an appraiser for the jukebox.

The episode was rated 7.42 from 43 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E1

#10 - What Happens in Sturgis... (Season 2012 - Episode 1)

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Danielle turns up a good lead she's been working on for months. When Mike tells Frank let's pack up for a trip to South Dakota, Frank says he can't. He's secretly going to his 30th annual trip to the legendary Sturgis motorcycle rally, but says he'll cover the shop. So Mike takes Danielle, first to Dollar Dick's, a tough-minded auction aficionado whose yard is covered in rusty gold. Next, they happen upon what looks like a tourist trap, but the 1880s ghost town pays off with a speed pick in a pair of treasure-filled silos that turns up some unusual items. Finally, they get to Dave's amazing automotive collection where Mike spies a sexy belly tank cycle car with classic Hollywood history.

The episode was rated 7.44 from 62 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E11

#9 - Mike's Holy Grail (Season 2012 - Episode 11)

While cruising the back roads of North Carolina, the guys get a somewhat vague lead on the holy grail of motorbikes. The XAVW is a legendary masterpiece because of its detailing and unique components. Mike is determined to find it and puts pressure on Danielle to track it down. In addition, in Betty's sprawling warehouses, filled with a variety of stuff, the guys uncover everything from architectural salvage to an amazing military artifact. Also, Dale has an awesome junkyard and a noble cause. After gambling on a collection of Indian artifacts, Frank gets some jaw-dropping news from the appraiser.

The episode was rated 7.45 from 38 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E7

#8 - Knuckleheads (Season 2012 - Episode 7)

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With a sprawling warehouse and overstuffed semi trailers, Kevin's New England property is a gold mine where Mike makes off with the Michelin man and then gambles on a rare collection of vintage pilot gear. A former racecar driver with an amazing collection of automotive artifacts, Big Bad Jess is a serious collector who says he's ready to sell. In Maine, Jim's barn is a sprawling Harley Davidson honey hole where the guys are tested with a mystery part that could save them some coin.

The episode was rated 7.45 from 42 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E5

#7 - Odd Fellas (Season 2012 - Episode 5)

Frank goes wild in Joe's garage. It's packed with vintage motorcycles and while Frank scores deal after deal, Mike's efforts sputter and stall. With his family hit hard by the recession, a prolific collector is eager to sell. The guys scour building after building but sometimes one man's junk is just junk. While Frank gets ready to go to his high school reunion and show off his restored Plymouth, Mike and Danielle visit a Virginia property that turns out to be a mega-pick. With jam-packed buildings and trailers, Bill's sprawling collection features Odd Fellows relics and a vintage guitar that may be worth a fortune.

The episode was rated 7.54 from 48 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E16

#6 - Love 'Em and Leave 'Em (Season 2012 - Episode 16)

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A former Georgia boxer fights to keep a lifetime of stockpiled stuff but his wife is fed up. After scouring their five-acre property, the guys make off with a band's worth of brass instruments and a surprisingly rare art deco fan.

The episode was rated 7.59 from 34 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E6

#5 - When Horses Fly (Season 2012 - Episode 6)

Burning up the back roads of South Dakota, Mike and Frank get off to a great start in Jim's spectacular man-cave. But when he slams on the brakes, they switch gears to score a heavenly sign. Freestyling in Iowa, the guys take a chance at an old airport turned auto body shop where a retro car takes them back to the future. Packed with roadside relics, Norm's property features a jaw-dropping collection of vintage pedal cars but the guys soon discover he drives a hard bargain.

The episode was rated 7.63 from 43 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E8

#4 - The Belly Dance (Season 2012 - Episode 8)

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Automotive aficionado Dale gets seriously cranked up over Mike's one-of-a-kind belly tank racer. But the negotiations could crash if the classic can't run leaving Mike out thousands of dollars. Freestyling in New Hampshire, Tommy's treasure-packed barn yields some incredible railroad relics. Mario loves his junk but says he's willing to negotiate, and after gambling on a very cool retro smoking toy, bundle-master Frank steps in to save the day for Mike. Bruce's jam-packed property is staggering and though he's reluctant to sell, Mike manages to pull the trigger on a rare folk art rifle.

The episode was rated 7.68 from 34 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E23

#3 - Guitars, Guns, and Gears (Season 2012 - Episode 23)

Mike comes across a 150 year old Martin guitar which just might be the big ticket item he s been searching for. A rifle toting homeowner s property is off limits until the guys do some fast talking. Danielle gets a vintage Indian motor appraised and keeps her fingers crossed for a major profit.

The episode was rated 7.68 from 28 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E2

#2 - The Elephant in the Room (Season 2012 - Episode 2)

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With a Noah's ark of exotic animals, the guys visit a Maine taxidermist where Mike gambles big money on a huge elephant head. Danielle's search for a pachyderm-loving buyer leads to a wheelin' and dealin' rock'n'roll legend. Building collector Bill loves a good joke but his prices are no laughing matter. George's Maine marine features great prices, even better stories, and everything from maritime collectibles to a bejeweled antique hotdog steamer. The rock'n'roll legend is a collector himself. He's a tough bargainer with a couple of items to trade up his sleeve.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 52 votes.

American Pickers - S2012E29

#1 - Dial F for Fritz (Season 2012 - Episode 29)

Out in Washington State, Mike and his brother Robbie stop off for a quick freestyle and come across a 1915 Harley. Later, the guys pick a collection that s three generations in the making and find an antique bear trap that could be worth up to $6000. Danielle and Frank team up to pull a long distance prank on Mike.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 24 votes.

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