Ep 5. Too Hot to Handle

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, the two popular American pickers, return with a brand new episode of their third season. In Too Hot to Handle, the duo heads to rural Alabama on a scorching summer day to search for antique treasures that they can restore for profit.

Their first stop is at an old barn where they meet the owner, a collector of vintage cars and engines. The barn is packed with a variety of old cars, including a rare quarter-ton pickup truck from the 1920s. It took nearly 30 years for the owner to collect all of these gems, and he is understandably proud of his collection. Mike and Frank are extremely impressed by the car collection and try to strike a deal with the owner for some of them.

Frank then spots an antique tin sign from a Coca-Cola bottling plant. He tries to negotiate with the owner to buy it for a good price, but the owner is hesitant to sell it. Frank doesn't give up without a fight, and he eventually manages to convince the owner to part with the sign.

Next, the pickers head to a sprawling farm that has been in the family for four generations. They hope to get their hands on some valuable items that have been passed down through the family over the years. When they arrive, they meet the owner of the farm, who leads them to the barn where he stores his antique items.

Inside, the pickers discover an antique wooden sled, a lamp from a 1940s Ford truck, and a vintage cash register. They are eager to buy these items, but the owner is wary of selling them as they hold sentimental value for him.

Mike and Frank then spot an antique gas pump in the corner of the barn. The owner shares the story of how his grandfather installed the pump in the 1930s and how it has remained in the family ever since. Mike and Frank know that this could be a valuable item, and they try to persuade the owner to sell it to them.

In the next segment, the American Pickers visit a quaint little town in northern Alabama. They have heard that there is a legendary auction house that draws antique enthusiasts from all over the country. The auction house has been in business for more than 60 years and is a treasure trove of unique and valuable items.

Mike and Frank arrive at the auction house on the day of one of their auctions. They see a wide range of items, including antique tools, vintage advertising signs, and even a complete dentist's office from the 1920s. They immediately start bidding on several items that interest them, but the competition is fierce.

As the auction progresses, the pickers realize that they might have some stiff competition. They meet several other antique dealers who have come from far and wide to bid on the same items. This raises the stakes, and they must be ready to pay top dollar if they want to succeed.

Finally, Mike and Frank head to a scrapyard that has been in the same family for over 100 years. The owner gives them a tour of the scrapyard, and they see a wide range of items, from rusty old car parts to vintage toys and games.

At first, Mike and Frank aren't sure if they'll be able to find anything of value in this scrapyard, but they soon come across a pile of old license plates from the 1920s and 30s. They're in rough shape, but the pickers know that they could still fetch top dollar.

The episode ends with Mike and Frank tallying all of their purchases for the day. With some successful negotiations and some high-stakes bidding, they manage to secure some unique and valuable items that they can restore and sell for a substantial profit. These American pickers continue to prove why they are one of the best in the game, and Too Hot to Handle is a must-watch for all fans of antique collecting.