American Pickers

10 Best Episodes of American Pickers - Season 2

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 - S2E20

#15 - The Emu Chase (Season 2 - Episode 20)

Mike and Frank find themselves in a high-risk situation when they are chased by a crazy emu who roams a farm in Tennessee that the boys are picking. Once they've escaped from the bird they manage to rescue a much sought after fireplace fa ade. Danielle sends the guys to Frank Wolfe, who gives them a golden lead to a guy called Jerry Lotz, where Mike buys a Schwinn auto-cycle bike for a $1,000 and Frank leaves with two rare BB guns. The guys finish up their trip by surprising an old friend of Mike's, Ruby Guidara, a famous Nashville set designer. They purchase an old dentist chair from her that Mike thinks would be perfect in a Lady Gaga video, but when they take the chair to an appraiser they hear some surprising information.

The episode was rated 7.26 from 43 votes.

American Pickers - S2E16

#14 - What's in the Box? (Season 2 - Episode 16)

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Mike and Frank visit a New York collector who's filled a train station with vintage cars, and although the cars are hot, the prices cool their engines. But the pick isn't as good as it looks until Mike finds a mysterious Italian trunk that hasn't been opened in 50 years...and though it's driving him crazy, he waits until he gets home to open it. The guys stop in at a New Hampshire home with a weathervane on the roof constructed from a real Harley motorbike. Inside, the couple's sprawling collection includes a room full of retro arcade games. And finally, auctioneer Paul's Rhode Island property is packed with treasures his late father rescued from the trash. Mike spies an impeccable 1967 Triumph motorbike and Frank buys a slew of vintage toy trucks. But the best is hidden inside a barn that hasn't been touched in 15 years.

The episode was rated 7.27 from 41 votes.

American Pickers - S2E21

#13 - Keep Out! (Season 2 - Episode 21)

Driving along the back roads of Tennessee in the early morning fog, Mike and Frank are brushing up on their Southern expressions when they spot an awesome property. Once they muster up the courage to ignore the scary "no trespassing" signs, the homeowner opens up his amazing collection of incredible "mantiques". Later, with four barns that are packed to the rafters, a Smokey Mountain property looks perfect. But Mike and Frank's perfect day quickly goes downhill when the collector can't bear to part with anything. Can they break the ice or will their picking spirit be broken first? And, thanks to a lead from Danielle, the guys get a warm welcome from Joe, a lifetime picker whose staggering collection spans over 30 buildings.

The episode was rated 7.33 from 51 votes.

American Pickers - S2E15

#12 - Danielle Goes Picking (Season 2 - Episode 15)

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After years of begging Mike and Frank to let her go on a pick, Danielle finally gets her chance. The three head out to visit a major collector with a barn full of hidden treasures. Next, Frank agrees to fill in for Danielle at the shop while she hits the road with Mike. In Pennsylvania, they pick the oddball home of two eccentric characters, and Danielle comes up with a winner when she tracks down a century-old hotel that's been vacant for years. Rooms full of furniture and a valuable pinball machine await.

The episode was rated 7.37 from 38 votes.

American Pickers - S2E18

#11 - Too Hot to Handle (Season 2 - Episode 18)

In upstate New York, the guys stop in at a sprawling treasure-laden farm with fourteen jam-packed trailers, the result of a lifetime of collecting by the late owner. His daughter needs to sell some of his things to help save the farm. Later, an eccentric mother-daughter duo sells their extraordinary 1856 home, an Underground Railroad site, and everything in it. Finally, the guys visit an old cheese factory that's been boarded up for years, and the local fire department must break down the doors to get to the hot items.

The episode was rated 7.37 from 65 votes.

American Pickers - S2E17

#10 - Fairlane Fever (Season 2 - Episode 17)

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Mike and Frank challenge Danielle to sell a vintage carnival ride they've been storing for months. Meanwhile, the guys visit a collector with amazing pieces including an old gambling game used to get customers to spend more money. Later, the guys pick the International Clown Hall of Fame, where they find an amazing miniature automated carnival. And finally, after seeing at a Yamaha dirt bike for sale on a front lawn, retired mechanic Norm opens his garage to reveal a smoking-hot, 1967 Ford Fairlane muscle car. It's love at first sight for Mike, but will his emotions get in the way of getting a great deal?

The episode was rated 7.41 from 37 votes.

American Pickers - S2E14

#9 - A Banner Pick (Season 2 - Episode 14)

While picking in Pennsylvania, Danielle sends the guys to Bushkill Park--a century-old amusement park that's seen much better days. Hoping to eventually renovate and reopen, owner Neil is motivated to sell just about anything. And, after stepping back in time and playing in the old funhouse, Mike spies a couple of rare vintage sideshow banners. Also in this episode... Deb wants husband Tom to clear out his sprawling collections so they can enjoy their retirement on the road in their RV. But he's reluctant to sell his prized possessions. Later, in New York City, the guys meet an expert who has shocking news about Mike's new circus posters. In Staten Island, a cavernous abandoned storage unit yields plenty of carnival keepsakes.

The episode was rated 7.42 from 33 votes.

American Pickers - S2E23

#8 - The Possum Trot (Season 2 - Episode 23)

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The guys are on an assignment that's 150 years in the making. The Gettysburg Museum asks Mike and Frank to help expand its collection by hunting down some hard to find Civil War items. It's a daunting task made even harder with a limited budget. Danielle gets things rolling when she sends them to a previous customer who's a Civil War buff. Frank scores a Spencer Carbine. They next visit a collector, Keith, who doesn't want to sell, but they convince him to loan a rare Dog River Confederate sword to the museum. They also buy a Springfield musket and canteen. But their picking skills are put to the test when they spot a Union frock coat. It's at the top of the museum's wish list, but can they negotiate a sale and keep within the museum's tight budget? In addition, the guys experience a Civil War adventure when they sign up with a local re-enactment group. As Captains on opposite sides they go into battle, leading their respective troops.

The episode was rated 7.43 from 47 votes.

American Pickers - S2E9

#7 - Hobo Jack (Season 2 - Episode 9)

Danielle tells the guys they need to step up their game; Mike and Frank uncover lots of great stuff in Tony's sprawling Illinois collection; Ken has room after room of unusual items; Danielle calls with a lead about Hobo Jack.

The episode was rated 7.47 from 43 votes.

American Pickers - S2E6

#6 - Easy Riders (Season 2 - Episode 6)

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Mike and Frank head towards an inherited old farm with plenty of promise; Danielle calls with news about an ultimate prize; a man keeps his collection of mantiques in a 1920s Ford dealership and theatre; the guys spot the Harley Knucklehead.

The episode was rated 7.51 from 45 votes.

American Pickers - S2E3

#5 - Gordon's Gold Mine (Season 2 - Episode 3)

Mike and Frank find the holy grail of picking in Gordon's cement factory; the guys scour the inventory of a father-and-son picking duo; the guys meet Mary who has inherited a 300-acre property.

The episode was rated 7.54 from 46 votes.

American Pickers - S2E25

#4 - Frank's Big Shot (Season 2 - Episode 25)

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On their first-ever trip through Arizona, the guys tap into their spirit animals to track down a lifetime picker whose property is packed with killer stuff. A real-deal cowboy with a serious poker face, Fargo's Wild West ranch is like stepping back in time. And, while picking behind a remote strip mall, a bizarre totem pole catches Mike's eye but it's an original Airstream trailer that renders him speechless.

The episode was rated 7.57 from 37 votes.

American Pickers - S2E4

#3 - Smooth Operators (Season 2 - Episode 4)

As the guys finish their trip through the South, Danielle finds them the mother lode of rare motorbike parts; an incredible discovery guaranteed to impress their friend and NASCAR champion Ryan Newman.

The episode was rated 7.57 from 56 votes.

American Pickers - S2E22

#2 - They Boldly Go (Season 2 - Episode 22)

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Mike and Frank are out in the Kentucky on a different kind of mission. They're going to someone who needs their expertise to make his home unique. The owner is William Shatner, who gives Mike and Frank a very specific list. While Danielle looks for leads, the picking is red hot at Thurman's Tennessee hills property. The lifetime collector says he's ready to make a deal, but is he really? Next, the guys hunt for the perfect showpiece for Shatner's garden and think they've hit the jackpot with an amazing millstone collector. That is, until they find out his prices outweigh even the heaviest of stones. And, with just one week to deliver the goods to their celebrity client, Mike and Frank call in a favor from a designer friend. Finally, with a van full of treasures, they deliver their booty to Shatner, hoping they haven't let him down.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 40 votes.

American Pickers - S2E26

#1 - NASCAR Challenge (Season 2 - Episode 26)

The men search for auto-racing memorabilia at the request of the curators of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in North Carolina. Included: a visit with "Humpy" Wheeler, former president of Lowe's Motor Speedway; and Billy Biscoe.

The episode was rated 7.88 from 26 votes.

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