It’s always sad to hear when someone who’s experienced a lifelong passion for collecting cars has passed away, with Chevrolet Corvette connoisseur Bill Slavens managing to acquire 21 examples of his favorite sports car before his unfortunate passing last year. Decades earlier, a teenage friendship formed between Slavens and classmate Bob Kuykendall, who also shared a mutual interest in seeking out the cool Chevy two-seaters, and the pair spent years traveling the county searching for their next Corvette. However, these guys had one major difference when it came to mindset, as Bob bought to sell while Bill wanted to save. Since his passing, Bob has gone through and sorted out Bill’s collection, resulting in a great variety of Corvette offerings to choose from now up for auction.
PRA4SNW, thanks so much for your great tip here! With the number of cars here from different eras, this is one of those hoards that likely has something of interest for just about any Corvette enthusiast, with the earliest example being this 1953 Corvette Roadster. This one’s been stowed away for decades and hasn’t been driven since 1975. It’s got a non-running Blue Flame 6-cylinder engine under the hood, along with the 2-speed Powerglide transmission. So far, bidding has reached $30,500 for this first-year example.
One of the more desirable entries is this 1963 split window offering, which is also equipped with factory A/C. It’s been hidden for more than 40 years and is believed to still be wearing the original paint. The 327 is also a factory component, although it is not running at this time. The high bid is sitting at $65,000, and it’s worth noting that there’s a separate ‘63 roof and split window rear clip body section being offered if you or a friend happen to be in need.
For fuelie fans, this 1964 Corvette features its numbers-matching fuel-injected 327, and it’s another car that’s been idle for some 40-plus years. Originally painted Riverside Red, this one’s now got a blue finish, plus a California black plate on the rear. So far, this one’s up to $17,750.
If it’s a C3 you’re after, this 1972 coupe seems to have a decent body and appears to be complete. It’s a small block, with the 350 not currently running, although things in the engine compartment look to be in surprisingly good order. The price is likely to climb, but the current high bid here is only $3,200.
Originally silver, this 1987 model is now in gray primer and has an unusual spoiler planted on the rear. It’s probably not one of the ‘Vettes that will get a large amount of attention, but with the price currently at $325, there’s always the possibility that even by the time the auction’s in full swing, this one could remain a bargain.
There’s also some memorabilia plus plenty of mechanical parts, such as this Rochester Fuel Injection unit, which has a high bid of $240 as of this writing. Numerous other Corvettes are also available, and the entire collection can be viewed here on the VanDerBrink website, with all offerings on-site at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Jefferson, Wisconsin, on Saturday, October 5. That’s when the live, on-site auctioning begins. However, if you can’t make it in person that day, no worries, as simultaneous online bidding will also be taking place. Is there a particular car here that might be the Corvette you’ve been waiting for?
I have to salute Bill and Bob, (I’m ex military so it’s ok). I’m a Ford man, but there passion for Vettes, along with there life long friendship, it’s the only way I know how to appreciate them.
Btw I want the split window, always loved these, as a kid, it was amongst the first model cars I built.
Love the 327 vettes. 🏁
Doesn’t Bill have any family who wants to carry on with the saving of his collection of vettes? I would find out and get Bobs greedy hands out of Bills stash of vettes! Doesn’t anyone have the decency to carry on Bills legacy? This is just plain bad karma to Bill! He’s probably turning over in his grave right now hoping someone would respect his legacy! Very sad 😞 very very sad 😞!
You should step up and save the family from themselves …
As a long time friend o f Billy, I can tell you he never married, no kids, and I believe he was an only child. Never hard him talk about any siblings.
That’s why the family is having this auction.
The family does have the “Decency” to carry on Bill’s legacy in someone else’s garage!
He or she who dies with the most crap is still DEAD!
LOL, I tell my kid all the time when she asks what am I going to do with all your stuff, I don’t care I’ll be dead.
Problem devolves to one’s heirs and assigns. My Old Man used to say he wanted his money and his life to run out at the same time, and if he could die by noon tomorrow he’d come out just right!
Bull and Michael, Well said, when you reach a certain age, your perspective changes.
I’ve been thinking this for a long time and not sure why I picked now to voice my opinion.
I truly don’t understand why people (especially those with money to burn) buy so many cats. I understand the love of the car or the “I’m gonna restore it someday” mentality, but these people with 21, 40, 80, 120 cars can’t possibly drive them all. Hence, 95% of their collection sits, become non-running cars, rotting away, even if they are indoors, homes and condos and apartments to mice, rats and any other rodent and bug that pees and poops and builds nests to give birth in.
When I had my collection I had 7 cars max at one time. They all were registered and insured runners. Sometimes I’d take a different car to work everyday.
My point is, I drove my cars. I enjoyed my cars. I restored them as I used them. They didn’t rot.
I realize a lot of people get enjoyment out of just looking at their collection, whether they run or not. I enjoy going to junkyards.
I just think the hobby and the people in the hobby would appreciate more if the cars were available to restore instead of just rotting away in a barn. It would also keep prices down but I might have just answered my own question with that.
Please don’t get me started on “investors.”
Should I be fortunate enough to have the funds and start collecting again, yes, even at my age, I wouldn’t have more than 8 or 9 cars total again. Drive a different one everyday.
Opinions? From around the world?
Oh, and please don’t point out my typo. At the beginning where I say I don’t know why they have so many cats. You know it’s supposed to be cars. I’m doing this on a smart phone, not a computer keyboard.
Bill saw the Vetts as his retirement fund / life ins.
As an all out car lover and life lover, my biggest question is how come so many people are dying ?
What about the elephant in the room?
Don’t get me wrong , i love the cars but do not remember seeing so many ads of owners passing away and cars sold but i must admit that talking about it is painful…
Claudio,
The boomers of American generations were born 1945 – 1965. That would make those born during this generation between 60 and 80 years old. These are the guys (and gals) who basically started the hobby.
I myself am 71.
The original hobbiest are dying off or are too old to work on or enjoy their prize processions. Not to mention many of the newer hobbiest are not interested in their 1926 Reo, or their 1936 Airflow. They’re not even interested in 1948 Lincolns! Even the gorgeous cars of the flashy 50s are becoming dredged on the market.
The younger generations are interested in the 1980s & 1990s and there’s nothing wrong with that, but us old timers are just that, old, dying off and our heirs are not interested in our beautiful modes of transportation, hence, cars are coming for sale. It’s the cycle of life. I just wish it was longer.
While i appreciate your answer and respect you for it , you are not seeing the elephant …