American Pickers Season 27 kicked off July 2, setting a strong tone for the rest of the season. The series, which originally followed Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they traveled across the country to find hidden treasures, struggled after Fritz’s unfortunate death in 2024. The American Pickers Season 26 premiere saw a sharp decline in ratings, and as the show progressed, the numbers only seemed to decrease.
Thankfully, the Season 26 finale gave the fans a glimmer of hope and ended things on a hopeful note after pulling 760,000 viewers. This shift has carried over to the show’s latest season, which has returned with fresh energy and really honed in on what made the fans fall in love with American Pickers in the first place: The thrill of the hunt!
Mike Wolfe’s Passion for Antique-Hunting Takes Center Stage in ‘American Pickers’ Season 27
The episode began with Danielle Colby telling Wolfe and Jon “Jersey” Szalay about an incredible lead she has for them. The minute Wolfe sees the collection, he knows that this is way more than just another business deal. Wolfe and Jersey meet Wally, who’s trying to find new owners for his late brother, Ron’s massive collection of antiques that reflects decades of history and passion. Wolfe, obviously, instantly finds himself gravitating towards a bunch of items, especially when he sets foot in Ron’s bike room. From Cushman scooters to rare motorcycle parts and some of the earliest motorized bicycles, Ron’s collection speaks to Wolfe’s own expertise.
Longtime fans of American Pickers already know how big of a motorcycle enthusiast Wolfe is. However, more than the vehicles, he finds himself fascinated by the story behind them. Turns out that Ron actually grew up during a time when the motorcycle industry was booming in America. Hearing all this, Mike was practically buzzing with excitement as he tried to imagine how Ron must have built his huge collection piece by piece. One can tell that the picker is nearly overwhelmed as Wally takes him and Jersey through the massive space.
Mike Wolfe Finds Emotional Connection to Late Collector’s Vintage Motorcycle Hoard in ‘American Pickers’ Season 27 Premiere
This infectious energy was a throwback to the show’s earlier seasons, where Wolfe and Fritz would spend hours sifting through people’s yard sales and basements, fueled by their shared passion. Wolfe doesn’t see Ron’s prized possessions as items to be flipped for profit. If there’s anyone who can admire Ron for the dedicated collector that he was, it’s Wolfe, and he proves that by not haggling much. The fact that Wolfe is more than willing to pay the asking price for all these bikes, tether cars, and other vintage machines is a reminder of his commitment to honoring the collector’s legacy. Passing Ron’s treasures on to someone who will treat them with the same love and care is the perfect closure for Wally.
The Episode Delves Deep Into the Two Sides of Antique Hunting
The Season 27 premiere also goes to show that American Pickers has never been a show centered around buying and selling antiques. There’s no denying that shows like Hardcore Pawn or Bargain Hunt have proven that the retail part of it all is also pretty entertaining. However, Wolfe is a different kind of collector. To him, stumbling upon a diamond in the rough is where the real magic happens. American Pickers doesn’t rely on the usual reality TV formula of instant gratification. The Season 27 premiere, however, strikes the perfect balance while also showing the two very real sides of antique hunting.
Ron’s collection is curated and organized. Although he takes his sweet time to go through each item with meticulous care and attention to detail, Wolfe immediately knows what he wants to take away from this place. On the other hand, the second location in the episode is a decades-old drive-in theater that’s been restored by its new owners, Seth and Tabitha. Now, this is where the hunt kicks in. Seth leads Mike into a storage area that was used as a car museum by the original owner. However, over the years, it had turned into a chaotic mess with the most random items thrown in every corner.
However, this is exactly what made the process so rewarding for Wolfe and the viewers. As the picker rolled up his sleeve and dove into the clutter, he started to find untouched valuables, including wiring harnesses in their original boxes and a vintage popcorn sign. Compared to Ron’s collection, these items weren’t worth much, but they were remnants of a bygone era. It also goes to show that after years of experience, Wolfe has mastered the art of picking in these kinds of locations, where every part of the hunt is messy and unpredictable. All in all, the premiere packed a punch and moved at the perfect pace. This blend of quick deals and intentional searches is the perfect strategy for the show to appeal to all kinds of viewers.
American Pickers Season 27 is currently airing every Wednesday on the History Channel.