Let’s Talk Dubs

Ep 217 The race shop's own Dave Andrews

The 1972 EMPI was sold to filter dynamics. Just before that happened Darrell Vittone started the race shop which was a separate entity from the VW dealership. One day some kid from the East Coast is peering through the window and Darrel sees him. Darrel opens the door and meets Dave Andrews these two for the next few years campaign the inch pincher plus the race shop cars. Everywhere the race shop went there was Dave Andrews campaigning his own 1967 beetle that he purchased brand new. Hear h...

Ep 216 Early type 3 details with Lee Hedges

The type three Variant & Sedan (Squareback & Notchback) was the car that was debuted at the 1961 Frankfurt auto show in order to develop a new upgrade level vehicle for people that wanted to upgrade from the Beetle. In the early years of the type three there were a lot of one year only and earlier only design attributes. In this podcast we break down all of the early details that are known to be on 63 & earlier type three's. Today on the registry only 75 early pre-1963 & earlier type threes ...

Ep 215 Cross Country Road trip with Bryce & Kathy

Bryce Allemann and Kathy Hicks are a road tripping power couple that first hit the road in 2017. The first journey across the United States northern half consisted of 8,754 miles.  That article can be seen in August 2018 Hot VWs magazine. They scheduled a month off of work to accomplish this feat in the 1967 SO42 Westy. Since then, they've had a desire to do it again which we were lucky enough to catch them on the return home from the latest southern US trip in their 67 VW bus. We discuss wh...

Ep 214 Round table

we discuss who would be the top builders non-Volkswagen that we would like to see build a VW platform vehicle. Bill takes a trip to Volksworld show 2023 we talk about some of those details. We also discussed some of the people bills tried to get on the podcast. Some new episodes that will be coming out and some insight on a few of those upcoming podcasts. We get a project update and much more.

Ep 213 Lime Bug Craig Shaw

I'm sure you've heard the name Limebug. Limebug out of the UK makes air suspension and much more for Classic aircooled Volkswagens. Craig Shaw and his partner Leeann. Her purchase of a lime green beetle is the cause for Craig to start working on suspension in the Air-cooled world which then developed into trying to bring something to the market that didn't exist. With a background in machining and engineering he put to use what he new, to try to develop some new suspension for Volkswagens. I...

Ep 212 Frederic Peeters EBI & Freddie Files

Frederick Peeters is a man who wears a lot of hats, as the managing Director of European bug-in, he also puts on the Freddy files, and now does the Ardennen Rennen. From Nenovine Belgium he's been a VW enthusiast since he was a child. With a passion for type three's he loves his notch back. His commitment to the hobby means that he puts it all in the line to put on one of the largest VW vents in Europe. The European Bug-in known as EBI is unparalleled in VW shows. Being hosted in the city of...

Ep 211 Gavin Jones Trailer Queen Restorations

On our continued British invasion from Volksworld 2023 show. Trailer queen restorations Gavin Jones on this episode. Starting out with his first VW in the late 80s he cruised around in a pretty cool convertible super beetle. Later moving up to some of the early year VW's with his Bahama Blue 64. He tells a legendary story of how he left his last job for sake of family and trailer queen reostorations is born. Trailer queen Reostorations is Just He and his Wife doing a family business. Gavin d...

Ep 210 Rikki James & The fast barndoor

In the early 2000s while trying to figure out what to do with my bus and surfing the Internet I ran across a website called vintagebus.com. On that website was a gallery for people to upload pictures. I ran across Rikki James from England & his 1954 Right Hand drive barn door bus. This bus was sporting big power type 4 with a 2600cc 48 IDA's and Porsche five speed. This bus would serve as a template for me to build my first bus. Rikki's been ahead of the curve for a long time, an avid VW ent...

Ep 209 Pandraggers Levi Weir

Levi Weir is from  Phoenix Arizona and runs a company called Pandragger parts. Since about 14 years old he's been working on Volkswagens. Taking up a trade in welding and fabrication with a raceshop he learn the skills that his friends utilize to help them work on their VW's he eventually turns that into a business fabricating and building air suspensions as well as paint and bodywork through his business pandragger parts. There's also a car club named Pandraggers out of Arizona that they st...

Ep 208 Resto Johnny & rare EMPI collectibles

Resto Johnny as he's known on the samba, has been in the VW collecting since the early days of Pomona. One of the original Pomona swap meet vultures he's been on the lookout for super rare parts since the early days of the hobby. Finishing his first car when he was just 14 and selling it at the Pomona swap meet. How do you get home from that situation? You buy another car at the Pomona swap meet. That started his lifelong passion for buying collecting and trading rare VW parts and pieces. Fr...

Ep 207 Richard Guraino Empi of New york

Richard Garaino owned competition foreign car parts in New York. After seeing the interest in Volkswagen beetles aftermarket parts he reached out to Joe Vittone and became an authorized EMPI distributor in New York. He didn't just sell parts and bring to the people of New York the high-quality aftermarket performance parts of Empi of days gone by. He also raced the inch pincher three a really cool 1952 beetle that set plenty records and upset lots of people in the dragstrip. 

Ep 206 El Burro owner Jamie Wiseman

Is this The ultimate overlanding bug? Thats what Jamie Wiseman set out to build. After listening to this podcast you may agree Jaime is a certified master tech for Honda after working for dealerships decided to open his own garage. Buying a bug for his wife back in 2015 spurred his interest and Air-cooled VW's. His commitment to reliability and uniqueness led him to eventually stumble across the 67 that you hear about on this podcast. From custom making his own a-arm suspension to modifying ...

Ep 205 Best Magazine Cover of 2022

https://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen https://vwtrendsmagazine.com https://rosswulf.com https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkdubspodcast9361 On this episode of Bill and George break down the magazine covers of 2022 and pick their favorite covers from Volksworld, Hot VW's VW trends and Volksmania magazine. We also discussed some customer service issues with the new weld through primer metal. Project updates for Bill. How happy I am with what I have so far for the hydraulic suspension.? Also ...

Ep 204 Life of a VW salesman Don Weir

Don where was the first salesman hired at Steuben motors in York PA. On this podcast we get an inside look at what it was like to be a salesman for Volkswagen in the 60s. How much the commission rates were. How the car was received in a state of union ironworkers. Don has a great collection of brand new literature that he saved from the trashcan while he worked at the dealership. He also runs a really cool Brewster site an American car that was built for Rolls-Royce originally. I picked up s...

Ep 203 RAD Designs Rodney Adams

Rodney Adams with RAD designs out of Turlock California has been enthusiast for many years starting off with his first bug when he was 15 converting that to a water cooled 2.3 L Ford Pinto motor. He's had years of experience in different lines of work learning to TIG welder young age working in food processing plants repairing and machining equipment. He took that skill set and developed one of the coolest turbo set ups that's out there to date. He has a 1600 cc car that runs 12's in the qua...

Ep 202 The most expensive 1977 Beetle

Lately we've been going down the rabbit hole of the late model Beetles. Late model Beetles were the most technologically advanced type 1 Volkswagens of the air-cooled brand. As they got later into production sales numbers dropped considerably for multiple reasons we talk about that on this podcast. We also discussed Mike Goode and his collection of Volkswagens that he's had over the years and his passion for the hobby. He has an affinity for late model Volkswagens growing up in Chicago not a...

Ep 201 Import & restore a VW From Brazil with Brien Hamrick

3 years ago we had Brien Hamrick on the podcast. He owns USA KombI Connection and imports may cars from Brazil. On this podcast we discuss starting a buisness of passion. How the process goes and the callenges in between. Since just before the pandemic we started to see a rise in shipping cost. How have the shipping challenges have effected the cost of importing theses cars and the recent change in the shipping costs. Its not jsut Volkswagens he can get you either. There are Chevy C-10's Toy...

Ep 200 Joe Cali Type 4 upright conversion

The Type 4 engine known as the VW big Block. VWs 2nd gen aircooled engine. Its a touqe monster. The was always an issue with getting it into a VW.  Well Thanks to Joe Cali the average VW enthusiest can convert the pankace type 4 engine into an upright engine. He was lucky enough to score a 2.0L type 4 914 engine. Joe literly wrote the book. Back in 1993 Joe an engineer by trade decided he would make a manual for the conversion that he did. Joe has an impressive story and some great luck as a...

Ep 199 Red E Motorsports Eric Allred

Salt Lake City in the house this week on the podcast! Eric Allred is the owner of Red E Motorsports in Salt Lake City. Eric's been a long time drag racer and has been in the VW scene in Salt Lake for 20+ years. His commitment to the hobby was so great he decided to open up his own shop a few years back. Putting it all online to see if he could make his passion work as a hobby. From Dino tuning, engine building, and general work on your VW. Eric loves the Volkswagen hobby and you can tell his...

EP 198 Distributor talk with Josh Honel

The VW Distributor is a critical part of any VW engine. On this episode, we discuss the differences with the VW style distibutors avaiable. On the points side of things. Josh Honel is a VW enthusiest who has gotten into the VW distributor to the point where he owns a Sun distributor tester. Like most of us, we take this passion to another level. He's been rebuilding VW distributors & carburetors. He also Dyno tunes engiines. He's locates in Midlothan Texas. We discuss if your 34 pict 3 is no...

Ep 197 2022 Year end wrap up

Bill ,George & Tory Alonzo review 2022. We walk through the year of podcasts & events that happend this year. From the GNRS, to the SEMA and much more. The poeple we interviewd some of our favorite podcasts. Which cars made an impression on the scene. We talk about some people we lost. Some crazy events that happend. A lot of good VW talk . 

Ep 196 Superbeetles with Wayne Dean

The superbeetle is the last generation of the VW Beetle 1971 -1975. Produced as an evolution to the beam front end the Mcphearson strut front suspension, larger front cargo area & curved windshield were some of the major differences in the model. We go over the histoy of the Superbeetle with Wayne Dean who runs the website https://superbeetles.com Wayne has a history as a contributing writer to VW Trends magazine. His La Grand edition VW Superbeetle is all original 1975. The first year for...

Ep 195 Chuck Beck builder of the Beck 550 Spyder

Chuck Beck loved racing, he was building tube frame cars while in the SE Pacific testing Atom bombs. When he got out of the air force he built a one good VW out of a 46' & 53 wrecked beetle. He would build whatever he could. He liked racing so he bought a Devon kit car and started that build. He made a chevy powered racecar. His first car he started making a mold from was a Porsche 910 before he could build one he came across a 550 car that his customer let him make a mold from. That began t...

Ep 194 Real Street 2022 Champ David Ruiz

As the 2022 Triple crown real street class wraps up this year we talk to David "Volkstroke" Ruiz. Hes been battling out on the 1/8th Mile with the real street racers for a few years. This year David stripped out last years car and swapped everyting over to a super clean Oval Rag. This car debuted heavier than his last car but ran a  bit faster. He then shaved some weight to get close to the spec and then he was ready for battle. With that he's probably the fasest Member of DBK car club. For ...

Ep 193 Roundtable Nov 2022

It's been a while since we've done a roundtable episode. On this show George and Bill review what's happened over the past few months. We talk about one crazy weekend, OCTO, and more. We call up across the pond and talk to our homeboy and the finch from spikes vintage restorations. We discuss what the experience was like how the one crazy weekend fairs to other shows that he's been to. We discuss the Las Vegas VW club cruise we did, what it's like to eat at an old saloon built in the 1900s. ...

Ep 192 3 guys one race

In the final episode of podcasts recorded at fast 4 cartel blitz at the beach. I did two short podcast one with Paul Gelinas who has some history back from Bakersfield in the mid 80s hanging around Steve Knechts shop Volks Werks. He helped chop up the jow Future Shock. I thought it was really interesting to get a perspective from an enthusiast that was seeing things from a third-party perspective. He also has been featured in Hot VWs in 2010. The second podcast that we have on here is Mike P...

Ep 191 Racer Bret Matney

Ep 190 Bob Leighton

Bob Leighton the son of the late Lee Leighton was born into the VW covenant. Working for places like Revmaster and for his fatherLee Leighton racing engines at a young age.Bobby has a history of that is immersed in VW racing. We talk about his dad and some of the history from the early days of VW drag racing. We also discuss his off-road racing and other motorsports endeavors. We talk a little bit about Dan gurney who was a friend of the family. As well of as many of the people his father bu...

Ep 189 Bier Panzer & Author Prescott Phillips

You've heard of the corn panzers, now let me introduce you to the "Bier Panzers". Coming out of the Milwaukee area Wisconsin's own from new Berlin Prescott Phillips. Prescott is a VW enthusiast out of Wisconsin that's known for building tranny's motors and drag racing. He's had several show cars that have Grace the covers of VW trans magazine over the years. And if you're in the Midwest he's your engine tranny guy. He and a few guys from the Midwest are brave enough to go and be part of the ...

Ep 188 Widebody Buses Kenny Pfitzer

Kenny Pfitzer is no stranger to the VW world. Starting back in the 80's his VW bus "wet Dream" was on the cover of VW trends 1995. It was one of the cleanest buses around. $7000 in chrome and detail to the max. Kenny's had a long career working for concept car builder IAD West coast, Metal Crafters, Foose, West Coast customs as well as his own shop. Now Kenny runs his own place Kenny Pfitzer Design. they will build anything you want. From muscle cars to widebody buses. If you can think it, h...

Ep 187 Rick Sadler The Everywhere Guy

Rick Sadler could possibly be the Forest Gump of the VW world. Hes worked at Johnny Speed & Chrome, Dee Engineering & Empi. Before he could drive he was in awe of the Schley Bros Dragster. His involvment through the years would have him building the engine for that same dragster 40 years later! Dirt track racing modified VW at Ascot Dirt track. Then to purchase the world famous mousetrap drag car that was driven by Dean Lowrey. A member of a DKP III Car Club. His 1967 yellow Cal-Look beetle ...

Ep 186 Patrick Friel 90's M&M Green Chop Top

If you've been into VWs since the late 80's. You'll know the name Patrick Freil. His first car recognized in the magazine was his 1969 M&M Green chopped beetle. Featured in January 1990. With Help from Rick Eichler on the engine and paint & body work. He was a serious competitor. Having VW's in his blood. His DRKC car was on the cover of February 2006 Hot VWs as well. That car with a 2429cc agian with help of Rick Eichler It was a super clean 1956 Beetle. This car ran in the 12 second 1/4 mi...

Ep 185 "Jersey" Joe Koenig Drag racer engine builder

Joe Koenig is an East coast drag racer and engine builder. In high school he had his eyes set on building a 69' camaro. Helping a buddy out on his super beetle changes his trijectory on his car out look. On this episode we talk about Street racing in Philly. How he transitions to dragracing since he is known for engine building. He starts early with a turbo engines then nitrous. we also talk about the East coast racaing scene. https://www.letstalkdubs.com My Prison podcast https://ross...

Ep 184 The Fastest street racing bug? Johnny Osmundson

Street racing has been going on for years. Recently there has been a resurgence with TV shows like street outlaws and 1320 Video. Johnny Osmundson has been making a name for VWs on the no prep steet world. His Strret bug is a 1965 Blue Right hand drive with a 1915 Turbo with a full polished 48IDA on a draw through set up. His 1962 primered drag bug is his first car. The car sat for year then he finallly started to build it for the street. Hes been on 1320 Video & TX2K. He has been representi...

Ep 183 Tom Kinney

Tom Kinney is a staple in the Crescent city VW scene. Originally from Hawaii He's been building VWs since he was 14. His first runner was a fast super beetle running in the 12's. Tom is the epitome of the Aloha spirit. His frendly style and enthusiasim for the VW scene is evedent when you meet him. Hes been running with the fast 4 cartel not only drag racing but also the Kinney Cafateria. Tom helps out the food for the weekend. He and his son-in-law Devon Earhart talk about there quest for b...

Ep 183 Mike Lawless Drag Racer DRKC Champ

Mike Lawlwess got hsi first VW in 1969. Building VW's since then had been his passion. Marriage and kids came along and he put his racing on hold. After his kids got a little older he decided to get back into drag racing VW's. Because it was cheap! You would know his VW 1965 karmann ghia its been a staple VW at all the drags since 1999 and early 2000's. Starting in the 13's he chipped away at it year after year. Deciding to up his game he talked to the judges about how he could better his ca...

Ep 182 Fast 4 Cartel

The fast for cartel was started by Jeff Kramarsic and Jeff Newcomb. These two guys have put in a lot of time effort and energy to create a racing organization for racers by racers. With big classes eighth mile drags and big payouts they've succeeded in putting on a family vibe atmosphere. A two day race event that's nothing but drag racing and a great time with great  their big tire class (the heavy) and the small tire class (the light) as well as the triple index have huge payouts when ther...

Ep 181 Keith Kid Dean South End Customs

Keith "Kid" Dean is a name you have heard on this podcast  before. His red chopped squareback was on the cover of March 1984 Hot VWs magazine. This was a hot rod inspired Squareback. T-bird seats a flaoting dash pod, split bumbers and much more. He owns South end customs in Hemmet California. His history goes back to the late 70's till today. He has been recognized by the Hot Rodding hall of Fame. Hs dad Dick Dean was a famous hot rodder & car customizer that has history with George Barris D...

Ep 180 Fred Simpson Perfromance Technology

Performance Technology is a name in the air cooled VW that is synonimous with some of the fastest cars on the track. The man responsible for this is Fred Simpson. Fred started out working for VWOA as a factory trained technician. He loved to race his car but found his niche in cylinder head fabrication and building. He eventually came out with the SHO VW cylinder head. We go deep in engine information and there's lots of info for you gear heads. We also talk about Andy & Tommy Costello and h...

Ep 179 Original Rag-berry David Garcia

 BACK IN THE EARLY 1980S THERE WAS A GUY IN EAST LOS ANGELES BY THE NAME OF DANNY A. He did pinstriping, back window logos and graphics on the side of cars. In the mid 80s there became a group of cars in the East LA area in south-central that were logoed cars. Obviously having the logo or the a.k.a. name on the side of the car. This week's podcast is with David Garcia owner and builder of the original rag – Barry car. A 1961 ragtop sunroof Volkswagen painted in Porsche indigo raspberry. Davi...

Ep 178 Jack Sacchette

From his early beginings in metal shop class. Jack started manufacturing parts in the 80's. Opening Jay Cee enterprises and making a name for himself in the VW world. Jack has had a passion for the VW racing world. Starting out street racing, after the death of 2 close friends he decided to hit the track. From there the records started falling. Hes an 8 time NHRA record holder. Buiding JayCee to the point where it was purchasd by the largest VW aftermarket company in the world. His Terminato...

Ep 177 Buggs Buddies original member William Noguera

Buggs Buddies was the original East LAVW club .A car club founded in east LA by the Chacon brothers. William Noguera was the Sgt. At arms. We briefly spoke about him on the podcast with VW Kidd. Wiliam is an author, Artist, podcaster & Co Host on Deathrow diaries a podcast from deathrow. He was one of the originators of the cal-style look with its origins in Low-Riding influanced VW Buggs. Mostly Rag tops or convertables. William liked them fast. He was hired on to work at Mikeys Precision V...

Ep 176 Lizard Richard Mercado

If youve been on instagram you have seen Lizard aka Richard Mercado. Hes full of energy and he always has a lot going on. Hear his story on how he got started and how its going. He does everythig from tune ups to restorations. Located in Downey Ca. His collection of cars is impressive.  a good listen Support our sponsors https://www.letstalkdubs.com/showtime.html https://rosswulf.comhttps://vwtrendsmagazine.com https://vwtrendsmagazine.com

Lizard Richard Mercdo

If youve been on instagram you have seen Lizard aka Richard Mercado. Hes full of energy and he always has a lot going on. Hear his story on how he got started and how its going. He does everythig from tune ups to restorations. Located in Downey Ca. His collection of cars is impressive.  a good listen Support our sponsors https://www.letstalkdubs.com/showtime.html https://rosswulf.comhttps://vwtrendsmagazine.com https://vwtrendsmagazine.com

Ep 175 Rob Mulner EMPI VP Marketing

Rob Mullner is the new VP of Marketing for EMPi we sit down talk about his intoduction to the VW scene. How it copares to the other european car market, His thoughts on the VW scene as a whole. What plans does EMPI have for the future of the Ari cooled VW scene. Bill also does a bonus update on project stats a little Barrett Jackson talk & whats happening with the follwing projects. Future Shock, Type 34 Ghia, Rag Chop, Carbon Cab, Bullrun Bus, & Mock 11.

EP 174 Lee Bushaw one fast 58

Lee Bushaw put it down when he showed up He debut his Bug in 2005 and received the coveted DKP award during the VW classic weekend with his super clean 58 beetle. Lee then went on to devistate the compitetion on the track. Known for ripping wheelies in this clean bug hes not afraid to drive it hard. We discuss the build ans the engine details. How & why he decided to build the engine. The swap for the orginal car & much more. Its a great listen. Lee is proof you can build a super clean VERY ...

Ep 173 Brian Sharp Vintage Air cooled parts

Out of central Florida comes Vintage Air Cooled Parts. Bryan got into the hobby at a young age and a car accidnet side tracked him for a few years. Dipping into the min-truck scene for a bit. Then back to VWs. A compnay started by a couple of VW enthisiest that decided during the lockdown that they should start a VW parts company. First product was the foot rest with dimple dyes. The company starts from there going on to make several parts. The custom touch is what sets them a part from the ...

EBI Russell Ritchie

This year in Europe there are two big shows happening the first one is Hessisch Oldendorf . The second show the following weekend is European bug in. European Buggin is the premier event in Europe for the custom VW crowd. Held in Chimay Belgium they turn the streets into a dragstrip the parking and camping areas into a large rave and swap meet spaces. It is absolutely an event to behold. One of the best things out there is the gas or garage set up. Vintage gassers and drag cars from early Vo...

EP 172 EBI Russell Ritchie

This year in Europe there are two big shows happening the first one is Hessisch Oldendorf . The second show the following weekend is European bug in. European Buggin is the premier event in Europe for the custom VW crowd. Held in Chimay Belgium they turn the streets into a dragstrip the parking and camping areas into a large rave and swap meet spaces. It is absolutely an event to behold. One of the best things out there is the gas or garage set up. Vintage gassers and drag cars from early Vo...

Ep 171 Greg Sloma Jetta Bus

At the VW Classic this year tons of cars showed up for the first time. One of those I caught up with was the Jetta Bus that was featured in Hot VWs recently. Greg Sloma is a hadcore VW enthusiest. He was a born & bread Chevy guy. His son wanted a VW. From that point on he fell in love with the people in the scene. His 1965 VW bus that has been merged with a 2008 Jetta. Its a top notch job. His attention to detail and the quality of the build speaks for itself. Its a great bus & a great story...