Ep 6. California Gold Mine

In American Pickers season 8 episode 6, titled "California Gold Mine," we follow hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they travel along historic Route 66 in search of unique and valuable items. Their first stop is at a massive ranch in Texas, where they meet a collector who has never allowed anyone to pick his property before. The guys are excited to see what treasures await them within the vast property.

In their search, Mike and Frank come across a vintage gas station, complete with original pumps and signage. They also stumble upon a motorcycle that has been sitting untouched for decades. With a bit of negotiating, they manage to strike a deal with the collector and load up their finds onto their trusty van.

The duo then heads to California, where they meet up with a collector who has a vast collection of rare and valuable items. Among his collection are vintage jukeboxes, antique radios, and an impressive array of neon signs. The collector has a keen eye for quality and is passionate about preserving these pieces of history.

Mike and Frank find a few items that catch their eye, including a unique piece of art made from salvaged car parts and memorabilia from the old La Paloma theater in Encinitas. The collector is hesitant to part with these items, but the guys are able to convince him to sell them after some friendly haggling.

The hosts also spend some time exploring Southern California's car culture, where they come across a massive junkyard filled with classic cars and trucks. They meet the owner, who has dedicated his life to collecting and restoring these vehicles. Mike and Frank are in awe of the impressive collection and are able to score a few great items to add to their haul.

As the episode draws to a close, Mike and Frank head back to their home base in Iowa with a van full of treasures. They reflect on their journey and the exciting finds they made along the way. Overall, "California Gold Mine" is a thrilling episode that showcases the excitement and adventure of picking, as well as the passion and dedication of collectors across the country.