VanDerBrink Auctions, LLC
Every car guy dreams about pulling into an old farm place and opening the doors to the barn and finding that hidden muscle car. For Bill Slavens, that was his dream, finding old cars and bringing them back home. Back in the 1950’s and 60’s, having a car in high school meant that you were one of the guys. Bill Slaven and Bob Kuykendall met in High School and instantly were friends. They both had cool cars and that one common factor, looking for cars, fixing cars, racing, and cruising.
For over 60 years, their friendship took them all over the United States hunting classic Corvette cars and parts. Bill and Bob would often jump in the truck and chase down a lead. This was before internet, and it meant listening to stories, newspapers, Hemmings, and talking to neighbors. Bill and Bob put the miles on going to swap meets, car shows, following leads, and auctions. Both car guys would bring home their finds to their places. Bill Slaven though, would buy to sell and Bob would buy to sell. Little did Bob know that his car friend, had accumulated such a hoard of Corvettes, parts, and more.
VanDerBrink Auctions, LLC
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Bill would bring them home and drive them for a while and then bring them to storage units, his building, and area farms for storage. The 2 car guys kept going on adventures until health issues started to plague Bill and he was not able to go on as many car hunts with Bob. Bill had a heart attack and then cancer. Bob kept him busy talking about cars and reminiscing.
Bob got that phone call and knew something was wrong. Bob went to his house and Bill had passed away from a heart attack. Bob planned a fitting farewell for his friend and had a Corvette cruise and took his ashes to the cemetery for one last car adventure. Bob now took on the task of going back through history and the years of friendship, by cleaning and sorting through Bill’s collection. Bob knew what they had bought, but did not realize that it had never left Bill’s stash or was sold. Bob found his friend’s secret, over 50 years of Corvettes, parts, and other items squirreled away.
After Months of cleaning and locating, Bob will now offer his friends collection at auction on October 5th, 2024 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Jefferson, Wisconsin. The collection has many rare cars, parts including a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette that is #108 built. With only 300 of these first for the Corvette, few are left and fewer yet as a rare project. There is a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window AC coupe that is 1 of less than 85 AC coupes. There is a 1964 Chevrolet Fuel Injected Corvette that is numbers matching and amazing project. There are 21 or more Corvettes, multiple hard to find fuel injection units, 4-speeds, and more parts.
This is an amazing story of friendship and Classic Car barn find story. The auction will be Live Onsite with also Online bidding. Being a Chevrolet gal, Yvette VanDerBrink of VanDerBrink Auctions had fun working with Bob uncovering several of the Corvettes from their resting places.
“It was sad to hear of Bill’s passing.,” Yvette VanDerBrink said. “I have seen Bill and Bob coming to my auctions for 23 years. They are and Bill was a true car guy. I am honored to work with this collection.“
Check out the amazing video of Bob’s journey with the collection and finding and uncovering all these classics. So, Plan now to attend this auction and the Bill Slavens Corvette hoard. For video and more info on the Slavens Corvette Hoard Collection www.vanderbrinkauctions.com
VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS, LLC
Yvette VanDerBrink- Auctioneer WI 2342-052
605-201-7005 or 507-673-2517
https://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/
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