The van that carried Aerosmith to some of the first gigs of its Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career has been found after some 40 years in obscurity.
History Channel's Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, stars of the long-running antiquing series American Pickers, uncovered the 1964 International Harvester Metro during a trip to Chesterfield, Massachusetts.
The episode in which the find was included, "Roll Like a Rock Star," first aired on July 30. You can watch it on demand at History.com.
The Pickers arrived at the van after a game of rock 'n' roll telephone.
After receiving a tip about the van by another local, Wolfe and Fritz contacted their friend, Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach, who in turn contacted Aerosmith's Joe Perry. Perry then called former Aerosmith guitarist Ray Tabano — who lives near where the van was spotted — and Tabano verified its authenticity and location.
The green 1964 International Harvester Metro is emblazoned on one side with Aerosmith's early logo.
After making contact with the owner of the van the Pickers paid a healthy sum of $25,000. They are expected to reveal what they ended up doing with the historic vehicle on a future episode.
"I'm afraid to say how long it is, but it's been like 40 years since we've been in this thing," Tabano reminisced with Wolfe and Fritz.
He later described the van as Aerosmith's "rolling hotel" in the band's early incarnation.
"We'd drive from Boston up to New Hampshire for $125," Tabano said. "Then after the gas, the tolls, and the food and back, we'd made like $3 a piece...It just reminded me of the humble beginning and I look at where they've gone today — it's just amazing."
Photo: American Pickers