Discovery News of 1 hour ago: For American Pickers Mike Wolfe Fans Breaking! It will shock everyone

Mike Wolf Scores Rare $100,000 Flying Merkel Motorcycle in Epic American Pickers Deal.

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Up in the most recent episode of American Pickers, Mike Wolf earns a $100,000 Flying Merkel motorcycle rather than merely winning it.

John “Jersey John” Salet and Wolf travel to Rhode Island to see the renowned collector Dick Shappie.

Shappie, who has spent decades conserving history rather than reselling it for financial gain, is well known for his painstakingly repaired vintage cars and motorcycles from before 1910.

However, Shappie gives up one of his most valuable items, an almost unique Flying Merkel, at a crucial point.

The goal of this sale was to share history with a genuine admirer rather than to make money.

One of the most well-known collectors in Rhode Island, Shappie has been collecting and restoring vintage cars for more than 20 years.

According to the episode, Wolf has spent a lot of time with him.

The picker explains that Shappie is one of the top buyers in the industry and commends him for having a sharp eye.

In fact, if Wolf wants to sell an ancient car to someone who genuinely appreciates its value, he is among the first people he contacts.

It wouldn’t take an expert to figure out that this collection, which includes antique Cadillac V16s and classic Duesenbergs, is a treasure trove.

With all the cars he has accumulated over the years, Shappy’s garage hardly has space, but each car is an expression of his skill and imagination.

Each car has been expertly restored with unparalleled attention and accuracy.

Shappy states that he prefers to keep these machines in their most pristine state, with each knob and gear in its proper place, rather than giving them new life.

Because these minor details can raise a car’s worth by hundreds or even thousands of dollars, Shappy’s attention to detail serves a purpose as well.

Wolf refers to Shappee’s fantasy car as a prime illustration of his love for vintage automobiles.

This customized car has the engine of a Curtis JN from World War I.

Shappy has centered the entire automobile around the Jenny airplane.

He sees vintage car restoration as more than just a business.

The collector honors his love of history in this way.

Despite all of this, Wolf remains more intrigued by the collection Shappie maintains at home because not everyone has easy access to it.

The collector then leads the pickers to his home, where he keeps all of his motorcycles in what he refers to as “the shop.”

The native of Rhode Island reveals that he entered the motorcycle industry more than 10 years ago after dealing in luxury cars for years.

His collection includes original paint, pre-1910 Indians, early Yales, and vintage Harleys.

The problem is that he had no intention of selling any of this.

But in a particularly memorable scene, Wolf takes away one of Shappy’s most sought-after items, a Flying Merkel with a two-speed gearbox and a self-starter.

“There are only two or three more models of this specific bike left in the world,” Shappie remarked.

Wolf was aware that Shappy’s $100,000 price tag was justified by that, and by the fact that the bike was still 75% original paint.

Rather than engaging in negotiations, the picker consents to fulfill his seller’s request and depart with one of the most renowned motorcycles in American history.

The reason this agreement occurred is just as important as the deal itself.

Wolf and Shappie have a long-standing relationship based on a sincere love of craftsmanship and tradition.

For years, the picker has been coming to admire Shappy’s collection without trying to close a transaction.

As soon as the collectors met, it was clear that they respected one another.

Nevertheless, the collector is persuaded to part with a motorcycle that he was obviously very devoted to, due to Wolf’s capacity to understand, listen, and appreciate Shappie’s work for what it is.

The fact that Shappie never intended to sell the Merkel to a wealthy man ultimately prevented him from doing so.

Shappy’s commitment to conserving the past is evident as a vintage car aficionado, and Wolf was the ideal recipient for this piece of history.

The transaction demonstrates that the vintage automobile specialist does occasionally sell, but only to deserving buyers.

As he puts the bike in his container, Wolf says, “It’s the right bike for me.”

And Shappie wholeheartedly concurs.

The History Channel presently broadcasts American Pickers season 27.

Those jaw-dropping, “Did that really happen?” deals are what make American Pickers legendary.

If you thought Mike Wolf had already hit peak rare collectible status, prepare to have your mind blown.

Because he didn’t just score a motorcycle, he plundered a hidden gem.

A Flying Merkel.

Yes, that Flying Merkel, for an eye-watering six-figure sum.

And the backstory?

It’s straight out of pick-and-hunter lore.

First, for those unfamiliar, Flying Merkel motorcycles were built in the early 1900s, circa 1911 to 1915, by the Merkel Company of Milwaukee and Philadelphia.

They combined ambitious engineering with elegant styling and lightweight frames.

But production was limited, and many of the original units were lost to time, neglect, or scrap drives.

That scarcity alone makes any surviving Merkel a prize, especially ones in decent condition or in a restorable state.

Collectors treat them like unicorns.

Because very few remain, the right Flying Merkel can command astronomical sums.

The hunt began with whispers of a long-forgotten barn deep in rural territory, where a heritage motorcycle collection had been stored, neglected for decades.

While inspecting dusty frames, Mike caught a glimpse of the distinctive engine case and exhaust routing of a Merkel.

The kind of reveal that sends antique motorcycle nerds into orbit.

The owner, clearly unaccustomed to dealing with high-end collectors, had a sky-high idea of what the bike was worth.

Mike countered, backed by his years of experience.

After back-and-forth drama, the deal threatened to collapse multiple times.

Then came the moment of truth.

In a crescendo of tension and boldness, Mike laid down the money.

$100,000.

Yes, $100,000 for a motorcycle that, until very recently, hung silently in a barn, forgotten by time.

Big ticket.

Big history.

And a massive win for the American Pickers legacy.