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Cool and Collected

Collecting pop culture toys, comics, and collectibles collections

June 13, 2012 By 27 Comments

American Pickers — “Driving Miss Danni” episode recap and review

This episode of American Pickers begins with Danielle asking Mike and Frank for a raise. Unfortunately, she uses the fact that she is spending too much money on gas money while running errands for the shop as her reason for needing a raise. You will see later in this post why why that was an unfortunate plan of action.

Mike and Frank do a little freestyle pickng in North Carolina and stop at a property with old buses, cars and tractors filling every square foot–it looks like a junkyard. Gene McLaughlin is the owner of the property and offers to show them around–all 17 acres of it!

The first item to catch Mike’s eye is a pair of large, rusty gears from an old cotton mill, and he buys them for $40. After a little more picking, Mike buys a cast iron camel foot step from an old shoe shine stand for $10, and Frank finds a brass Pyrene fire extinguisher for $15. It’s obvious that Gene’s prices are way too low since neither Mike nor Frank are haggling much.

american pickers - fire call box

The trio visit another one of the outbuildings which is packed to the ceiling, and Mike buys a brass blade fan for $35, and a neat old cast iron fire call box made by Gamewell for $25. Frank finds a coin taker box that once collected fares on a streetcar and after a little bit of back and forth, buys it for $50.

Outside yet another building, Mike finds a riveting machine with ornate cast iron legs. It’s unusual because it’s not huge like most industrial items, and Mike buys it for $100.

american pickers - steam engine drawings

In Gene’s house, Mike and Frank learn that Gene is an accomplished artist and draws incredibly detailed images of steam engines. Mike wants an original drawing and makes an offer of $200 for it, but Gene isn’t interested in selling for that amount, so Mike has to settle for a $100 print. I think Mike probably was feeling guilty for lowballing Gene all day.

american pickers - clock collection

Danielle has a lead for the guys to follow up with — Pastor Cecil — another collector with lots of outbuildings. Every wall in Cecil’s home is covered in clocks — over 300! the first item Mike buys is a 1920’s Daisy BB Gun with the shot tube still in it for $25.  Frank buys an ugly King Tut lamp for $20.

american pickers - bible magnifier

Mike uncovers an interesting antique magnifying glass which was used by clergy members to read the bible on the pulpit. Mike buys it for $200 without any haggling.

Inside a shipping container in Cecil’s yard, Frank buys a tiny printing press for $25. Mike finds a colorful plastic 1950’s pillow radio, that was probably from a motel, and a plastic fix-tuned radio, which was a promo item from a radio station. He buys both for $170.

american pickers - warehouse

Mike and Frank visit another one of Danielle’s leads, and it’s a pretty big deal. Jeff owns a 500,000 square foot building that is filled with stuff he salvaged from buildings he bought in 30 states! Mike is “junk drunk.”

american pickers - carnival banner

I honestly don’t know where you would even begin in a situation like this but Mike and Frank get to work. The first quality item they come across is a large 1940’s sideshow banner. On one side, it shows a midget horse family, and on the other there is a pig with an elephant’s trunk. Mike buys it for $1,000.

american pickers - carnival wheel

Frank buys some boxes of old baseball cards, knowing that most are worthless, but takes a chance on them for $100 per box. In that same room, leaning against the wall, is an amazing carnival spinning wheel, which Frank buys for $450.

In the garage area, the guys find a 1975 Mini Contessa — a French micro car. Mike and Frank think it would be the perfect solution for Danielle’s gas money problem. It needs a little work but it will be great advertising for Antique Archaeology for $2,500.

american pickers - Danielle in mini contessa car

While the credits roll, Danielle gets to take her new ride for a spin. Poor Danielle.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jason says

    June 14, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Gene was a really cool guy, and his drawings were amazing. Very reasonable with his prices, and just seemed like a genuine nice guy. And that Mini Contessa they got for Danielle is just awesome! This is one of the shows I look forward to every week.

    Reply
    • Julia lotito says

      January 25, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      Where in North Carolina? We live in Kannapolis and would love to see him about mg.

      Reply
      • Kaci Daugherty says

        August 25, 2019 at 12:30 pm

        Gene lives in Salisbury 🙂

        Reply
  2. Dwight Alexy says

    June 15, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    I want first dibs if the mini contessa is ever for sale !

    Reply
  3. Frankie bissette says

    October 22, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    I would like to mayb buy one of those Bissau live in nc too were in nc does he live thanks an would really appreciate it

    Reply
    • Frankie bissette says

      October 22, 2012 at 9:11 pm

      Busses sorry spell check

      Reply
  4. Sandy O'Sullivan says

    November 9, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    Such a strange comment about King Tut… it was so obviously Buddha that it really made me wonder how much basic world knowledge Frank or Mike actually have?

    Reply
  5. Marlee Lobo says

    March 8, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    Is it for sale? I want this.

    Reply
  6. ken scheub says

    March 17, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    Would really like to purchase one of Gene McLaughlin’s steam engine drawings. Does anyone know where or how to buy one or get in contact with Mr. McLaughlin ? Thanks, Ken

    Reply
    • tommy land says

      December 21, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      i know gene. do you still need to get in touch with him?

      Reply
      • Pete Giovannetti says

        December 31, 2014 at 11:29 pm

        Do you still know how to contact Gene? I am interested in his artwork.

        Reply
      • Flatlander says

        January 1, 2015 at 3:26 am

        I’d love to call Gene, thanks.

        Reply
      • Janet says

        March 4, 2015 at 5:45 pm

        I am interesting in any prints Gene would have for sale.

        Reply
      • Jerrry Fonstetwald says

        March 4, 2015 at 5:55 pm

        I used to work with Gene. Can you tell me how to get in touch with him?

        Reply
      • Todd says

        November 24, 2016 at 3:35 am

        Hello, I saw your post re: Mr. McLaughlin in NC.
        I am in SC and travel to High Point regularly for business.
        What part of NC is he located, would love to contact him to visit. thanks in advance. Todd

        Reply
      • Christian Holbert says

        November 27, 2016 at 1:17 pm

        I would like to contact Gene myself. I’m interested in his steam tractors.

        Reply
  7. Walt Hand says

    March 18, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    Same as Ken Scheub said for me to; very interested in buying prints of Gene McLaughlins drawings. prints ys, I would about wanted to purchase one of Gene McLaughlin’s steam engine drawings. Thanks, Walt

    Reply
  8. Brian says

    September 1, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    I have a question about some things that I have

    Reply
  9. Max Pickering says

    October 1, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    I would like to speak with Gene L. McLaughlin. Can you give me any information as to what town he lives in or better yet a phone number. I am interested in one of his buses.

    Reply
  10. Sydney says

    August 23, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    do you still have the carnival clock for sale?

    Reply
  11. Joseph C. says

    November 22, 2016 at 4:18 pm

    Where is Gene’s property? Is there a way to contact him? I’m really interested in the old buses on his property and if he’d part with any of the them. If those who know him could get back to me it would be appreciated. rollsigngallery@hotmail.com

    Reply
  12. Christian Holbert says

    November 28, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    If anyone has contact of Gene McLaughlin please contact me

    Reply
    • Dawn Braeseke says

      May 27, 2017 at 3:27 pm

      I too was looking for him…Googled…found his obituary. He passed away in Asheville, NC on March 12, 2015.

      Reply
      • Donna Wilson says

        October 7, 2018 at 3:01 pm

        Re your reference to the obituary for Gene Mclaughlin: I’m certain that that the deceased Mr. Mclaughlin (Asheville) was not the same man from the episode of American Pickers. The obituary is for a 70 year old. Gene Mclaughlin from Amer. Pickers is in his 80s.
        A posting (of an early Frick tractor engine) by Gene Mclaughlin lists a Mocksville address.

        Reply
        • Celeste says

          September 7, 2019 at 3:03 pm

          Gene is my grandfather and is still very much alive 😉

          Reply
  13. Lew Crawford says

    April 2, 2018 at 5:58 am

    What a talented artist Gene McLaughlin was. Mike and Frank should have put him in touch with a publisher.
    I’m sure a book on his steam engine drawings would have appeal to people in many countries including my own (New Zealand), an agricultural country. American Pickers has only recently started showing in NZ, one of my favourite TV shows.

    Reply
  14. Ken Cole says

    November 18, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    Gene is a nice fellow. He and my dad were friends. My dad also had a visit from Mike and Frank. That episode was on Slim Pickings My dad bought one of Gene’s prints before this Gene became famous for a lot less than he sold them to Mike and the team.

    Reply

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