This week on the season premiere of "American Pickers" season 15 premieres with an episode titled, "A Colonel of Truth." Mike and Frank are on the road and away from Iowa as they scavenge East Texas for treasures hidden away deep in the collections of the American public. This episode is a bit different than most picks, because Danielle, calling from the Nashville store, has sent the guys to a proxy for a man known only as "The Colonel." Frank says they hit up Texas once a year to escape the cold weather of the north, but it's a chilly, rainy day down south, much to their dismay.
The mysterious Colonel
When Mike and Frank meet Ken, the business partner of the elusive and anti-social Colonel, it's clear he's able to make negotiations happen and is eager to sell, which makes the job for the guys that much easier. Danielle had warned the guys there was no rhyme or reason to the stuff they'd find on the pick, located in an old ice house, but there would be gas and oil memorabilia, and some rusty gold, which sparks their interest. The guys dig around the location, filled with 50 years of the collection, and they do find numerous items that they take home with them. Frank locates a Valvoline sign that's newer but in great condition. The seller asks $150 and Frank talks him down to $50 and they agree.
Mike finds a Imperial Royalite coal oil dispenser, and Ken wants $500 for it, but Mike talks him down to $425. Mike spots a Ford Model A car nearby and inquires about it, and Ken explains it was the Colonel's first automobile and it's not really for sale and, on top of that it, the car was featured in the Warren Beatty movie, "Bonnie and Clyde."
The hunt for a Messerschmitt
On the second pick of the episode, Mike and Frank get a call from Danielle, who tells the guys there's a Messerschmitt up for grabs.
This makes Mike salivate because he's been trying to obtain one for a decade, but can't ever make the deal happen. The owner, Bernard, is looking to move some of his collections to start new ones, so Mike and Frank stop by check out the details. The car has a bubble top and the interior is nice, but there's one small problem.
The Messerschmitt is revealed to be a reproduction copy, called a Schmitt. Bernard does has a very nice 1940's Messerschmitt in his collection, but it's not for sale, disappointing Mike.
A massive slot car collection exposed
That disappointment is quickly turned around when the guys walk through Bernard's place and view the rest of his collection, parts of which are for sale, including a $1.5 million dollar slot car collection, which the seller says he will take $1 million dollars for. While Mike and Frank pass on the whole collection, Mike does score two very impressive slot cars from the 1960's, including a Rat Fink and Gasser for $90 each. Frank buys one of the larger red slot cars, an Electricar made in Kokomo, Indiana, that is not up to Bernard's standards, for $250.
