A man's secret collection of more than 140 antique Fords, Cadillacs, Chevys, and even a Ferrari will be auctioned off - see the collection that spans 6 decades

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A man's secret collection of more than 140 antique Fords, Cadillacs, Chevys, and even a Ferrari will be auctioned off - see the collection that spans 6 decades
Bob Regehr Collection.

VanDerBrink Auctions

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Bob Regehr Collection.

  • A massive collection of barn-find cars in Kansas, including a 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS, will be up for sale later this year.
  • The collection - which has been hidden away for nearly 30 years - includes more than 140 classic cars from the 1920s through the 1980s, including well over 50 Fords.
  • The cars belonged to the late Bob Regehr, who invented the bouncy castle, and will be sold off on October 24 through VanDerBrink Auctions.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

After being hidden away for nearly three decades, a Kansas businessman's extensive collection of classic cars - spanning six decades of automotive history - is up for auction.

The 140-plus-car collection - which is being sold through VanDerBrink Auctions - belonged to inventor and businessman Bob Regehr, who died late last year. Regehr isn't a household name, but perhaps he should be, as he and his wife invented the bouncy house, officially patenting the design in the 1970s.

Regehr had collected cars since he was 14 years old and at one point had amassed 226 vehicles, his daughter told local outlet KWCH. The vast collection up for auction - which was kept secret for many years, but was featured in Hot Rod magazine in 2009 - includes models spanning from the late 1920s all the way to the late 1980s. Evidently, Regehr had a fondness for Fords; he owned nearly 60 of them, including two Mustangs and well over a dozen 1932 models.

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The collection also features scores of Cadillacs and Chevrolets, including eight Corvettes from 1956 through 1978. Plus, there's one red Ferrari.

Take a closer look at the collection below:

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After being hidden away for almost 30 years, a stunning collection of more than 140 classic cars is up for sale.

After being hidden away for almost 30 years, a stunning collection of more than 140 classic cars is up for sale.

The extensive collection features models spanning all the way from 1928 to the late 1980s ...

The extensive collection features models spanning all the way from 1928 to the late 1980s ...
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... including scores of iconic autos from each decade in between.

... including scores of iconic autos from each decade in between.

The collection belongs to the estate of Bob Regehr, who died late last year.

The collection belongs to the estate of Bob Regehr, who died late last year.
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He's credited as the inventor of the bounce-house castle ...

He's credited as the inventor of the bounce-house castle ...

... and, judging by the number of gorgeous classics in his collection, Regehr made quite a fortune during his lifetime.

... and, judging by the number of gorgeous classics in his collection, Regehr made quite a fortune during his lifetime.
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At one point, Regehr had well over 200 cars in his collection, his daughter told local outlet KWCH.

At one point, Regehr had well over 200 cars in his collection, his daughter told local outlet KWCH.

Source: KWCH

He started collecting cars when he was 14, back in the mid 1950s.

He started collecting cars when he was 14, back in the mid 1950s.

Source: KWCH

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Regehr obviously had a soft spot for Fords ...

Regehr obviously had a soft spot for Fords ...

... given that he owned more than 50 of them, including 17 from the 1932 model year alone.

... given that he owned more than 50 of them, including 17 from the 1932 model year alone.
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There certainly isn't a shortage of Corvettes in the collection, either.

There certainly isn't a shortage of Corvettes in the collection, either.

There are eight 'Vettes spanning the 1956 through 1978 model years.

There are eight 'Vettes spanning the 1956 through 1978 model years.
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There's also a 1972 Pontiac GTO ...

There's also a 1972 Pontiac GTO ...

... a 1953 Buick Skylark ...

... a 1953 Buick Skylark ...
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... a duo of Mustangs ...

... a duo of Mustangs ...

... four 1957 Chevrolet Bel Airs ...

... four 1957 Chevrolet Bel Airs ...
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... including a convertible model ...

... including a convertible model ...

... and plenty of other treasures.

... and plenty of other treasures.
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Regehr evidently had a penchant for American cars ...

Regehr evidently had a penchant for American cars ...

... but that didn't stop him from owning a beautiful, 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS.

... but that didn't stop him from owning a beautiful, 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS.
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Auctioneer Yvette VanDerBink told KWCH that the vast collection is spread out across four locations ...

Auctioneer Yvette VanDerBink told KWCH that the vast collection is spread out across four locations ...

... and some cars have been sitting since 1954.

... and some cars have been sitting since 1954.

Source: KWCH

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That explains why some cars are in better condition than others.

That explains why some cars are in better condition than others.

VanDerBink said some of the Corvettes in the collection have been sitting for three decades.

VanDerBink said some of the Corvettes in the collection have been sitting for three decades.

Source: KWCH

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The warehouses where the collections are stored also have plenty of spare wheels, tires, and parts.

The warehouses where the collections are stored also have plenty of spare wheels, tires, and parts.

Bob Regehr amassed a truly stunning collection of classics from various eras and brands.

Bob Regehr amassed a truly stunning collection of classics from various eras and brands.
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The full collection is set to cross the auction block on October 24 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds and online, and is being sold through VanDerBrink Auctions.

The full collection is set to cross the auction block on October 24 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds and online, and is being sold through VanDerBrink Auctions.