Ep 3. Big Texas

In the Best of season 5 episode 3 of American Pickers titled "Big Texas," the show's hosts, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, embark on a road trip through Texas in search of rare and unique antique treasures. The episode begins in Austin, where the pickers meet up with a local collector named Eric, who has been collecting vintage bicycles for over 25 years. Eric leads Mike and Frank to his massive collection of bicycles, which includes a rare 1890s "Columbia" bicycle that is in pristine condition.

Next, the American Pickers make their way to an old dairy farm outside of Houston, where they meet a man named Vernon who has an incredible collection of antique gas pumps and signs. Vernon takes Mike and Frank through his extensive collection, showcasing rare gas pumps from the 1920s all the way up to the 1950s, as well as an array of vintage signs from iconic gas stations like Texaco and Shell.

The duo then heads out to the small town of Waller to visit a man named "Wild Bill," who owns a massive collection of antique toys. Inside Wild Bill's warehouse, Mike and Frank are awe-struck by the sheer number of toys on display, including vintage Barbie dolls, old pedal cars, and rare wind-up toys that are worth thousands of dollars.

After leaving Wild Bill's toy warehouse, the pickers stop at a roadside shop in Seguin, Texas, where they come across a massive collection of vintage advertising signage. The shop owner, Jerry, has an impressive array of signs for products like Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, and 7UP, as well as vintage neon signs that light up the dimly-lit shop.

Finally, the episode takes the pickers to a massive outdoor flea market in Canton, where they spend the day searching for rare and unique antiques that they can add to their own collections. The flea market is home to over 6,000 vendors, and Mike and Frank take their time combing through the various booths in search of hidden treasures. Along the way, they meet a few interesting characters, including a man who sells vintage vending machines and a woman who collects old license plates.

Overall, "Big Texas" is a thrilling episode of American Pickers that showcases the incredible diversity of antiques and collectibles that can be found across the Lone Star State. From vintage bicycles to toy collections to antique gas pumps and signs, Mike and Frank are constantly surprised and delighted by the hidden gems they uncover during their journey through Texas.