American Pickers - Credibility in Question??

[Steve Proctor]

Sister-in-law turned me on to an American Pickers episode Season 20, Episode 23 wherein the pickers uncovered a '57 Speedster that once belonged to Robert Downey, Jr. I found it "On Demand." Repainted, kinda rusty, not bumper deco and a few other shortcomings, priced way too high for the condition but trading on the "name" owner. Most interesting part of the show was a few clips of Speedsters being driven and a few pictures. One of the pictures was an obvious replica, but the worst gaffe of all was an example of the "spartan interior" found in Speedsters. They seemed to be generally knowledgeable, but could have used some help on this one...

[Richard Emerson]

That hurts to look at.

[Simon Whittley]

I think Mike Wolfe is a 356 owner himself so I guess they have a bit of knowledge on the subject?

[Adam Wright]

I actually bought a car that appeared on their show. The name of the episode was "No-Sale Dennis". A guy in Indiana had a bunch of stuff, Vette, Harley, and a few Porsches, he wouldn't sell anything. In fact he used to go to Harley swap meets with stuff on a table that said, "Not For Sale"!
A few years after the show he died, his heirs sold it all. One guy bought all the Vette and Porsche stuff, but he was a Vette guy so he sold all the Porsche stuff to the "Porsche Guy". There was a decent B Coupe, and two roadsters, one T5 and one T6.

We did a video on the T6.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j2h290tCIQ&t=5s

But the other thing to know about this show and every other reality show, they are almost all fake. Good entertainment, but I can't watch them, it's too easy to poke holes in the stories.

[Vic Skirmants]

Looks like a bloody Alfa to me. Not sure about the speedster; replica?

[David Jones]

I ran the license plate number on the "speedster" and it is a replica. Started life as a 68 VW. For those who really want to know it was a blue one.

[Vic Skirmants]

I ran the license plate number on the "speedster" and it is a replica. Started life as a 68 VW. For those who really want to know it was a blue one.

[Martin Benade]

Assuming that dash shot was an Alfa, now I see why 356 people often like them- the key is on the left where it belongs!

[John Hearn]

Martin Benade on 31 Dec 2019, 02:19 said
"Assuming that dash shot was an Alfa, now I see why 356 people often like them- the key is on the left where it belongs!"
Sorry to say Martin the key is to the right on Speedsters, only on the left in right hand drive cars..............
KTF
John

[Vic Skirmants]

Martin Benade on 31 Dec 2019, 02:19 said
"Assuming that dash shot was an Alfa, now I see why 356 people often like them- the key is on the left where it belongs!"
Sorry to say Martin the key is to the right on Speedsters, only on the left in right hand drive cars..............
KTF
John

Uhh...It's on the left on all left-hand drive coupes and cabriolets.

[C J Murray]

Mine is on the shifter. Saab had it right!

[Bruce Smith]

My brother-in-law was on Pickers as one of their 'free-styles', where they supposedly drive around looking for random places to pick. They spent days setting the whole thing up. It's designed for entertainment. I like what Mike likes, so I watch it.

[Steve Proctor]

Yes, Bruce. I recently read of the difference between Reality Shows and Documentaries.

Reality Shows: "Reality television has faced significant criticism since its rise in popularity. Critics argue that reality television shows do not accurately reflect reality, in ways both implicit (participants being placed in artificial situations), and deceptive (misleading editing, participants being coached on behavior, story lines generated ahead of time, scenes being staged). Some shows have been accused of rigging the favorite or underdog to win. Other criticisms of reality television shows include that they are intended to humiliate or exploit participants; that they make stars out of untalented people unworthy of fame, infamous figures, or both; and that they glamorize vulgarity."

Documentaries: "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS) defines Documentaries as Films dealing with historical, social, scientific, or economic subjects, either photographed in actual occurrence or re-enacted, where the emphasis is more on factual content than entertainment."

[Mike Wilson]

I wholeheartedly agree with the assessment.

Mike

[Wes Bender]

It's intended for entertainment and, in that capacity, I believe it has been successful. A good reference source it isn't.