Ep 330 Paul Bernardo Pilot of the Mini Mite Drag bug
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
Release Date: 08/29/2025
Ep 356 Dino Mendoza Real Street Race Director
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
What does it really take to build a true street Volkswagen that can survive the cruise… and then go heads-up on the drag strip? On this episode of Let’s Talk Dubs, we sit down with Dino Mendoza — one of the driving forces behind the VW Real Street racing scene — to break down one of the most exciting and authentic forms of air-cooled Volkswagen drag racing happening today. Dino gives us an inside look at how Real Street VW racing was built from the ground up, what separates it from traditional bracket racing, and why the rules—pump gas, all motor, carbureted, and...
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Ep 355 Lyle Cherry pt 1 Interview by Dean Kirsten 2012
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is preserving the history of the Volkswagen scene—and sometimes, that history shows up in ways you don’t expect. While catching up with my friend Dean Kirsten, I was blown away to learn he had a collection of long-form digital interviews he recorded back in the early 2000s for Hot VWs Magazine. These weren’t just quick quotes for print—they were deep, unfiltered conversations with some of the most influential figures in the VW world. What you’re about to hear is Part One of a two-part series from one of those interviews—originally...
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Ep 354 Super Beetles Only John List
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
Super Beetles have long been one of the most misunderstood—and often underappreciated—air-cooled Volkswagens here in the United States. But if you look across the pond, or even dig into certain corners of the hardcore VW scene, the story is completely different. Built from 1971 to 1977, the Super Beetle was actually Volkswagen’s most advanced evolution of the classic Beetle platform. With its MacPherson strut front suspension, improved handling, and increased comfort, it marked a major leap forward in performance and drivability. Yet despite those advancements, it never quite earned the...
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Ep 353 about time Inc. oil filler adapter inventor Kent Wallace
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
He’s not dead… and neither is true VW innovation. In the world of classic Volkswagens, creativity has always been part of the DNA. From backyard builders to full-blown innovators, the VW scene thrives on people who see a problem—and build something better. That’s exactly what happened with Kent Wallace and Dave Patten. Frustrated with the messy, outdated process of filling oil in their VW engines, these two enthusiasts set out to solve a problem we’ve all dealt with. What came out of it? A simple but brilliant oil fill adapter that changed the game. Originally selling for just $19,...
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Ep 352 Rick Hunt VW Carb Rebuilding
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
Carburetors have long been one of the very first performance upgrades people make to their classic Volkswagens. But with so many choices out there—Weber DCNFs, IDAs, IDFs, and the various Dellorto options in 36, 40, and 45mm—it can be hard to know which setup is right for your engine. In this episode, we sit down with Rick Hunt of Rick Hunt Industries, a man who rebuilds carburetors every single day. Rick has been part of the Volkswagen scene since the mid-1980s, when he started working at a VW shop in Simi Valley. There he learned mechanical work, engine rebuilding, and eventually...
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Ep 351 Roundtable Bill Buys a Sport Bug 2026 show talk
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
On this episode of Let’s Talk Dubs, Bill breaks down his latest Volkswagen marketplace find — a 1973 VW Sport Bug, one of the coolest factory special editions Volkswagen produced in the early ’70s. These cars were offered in just two colors, Marathon Blue Metallic or Saturn Yellow, and came from the factory with a unique package that included wider sport wheels, close-ratio steering, Recaro sport seats, a custom sport steering wheel, blacked-out trim, and the signature side racing stripe that made the Sport Bug stand out from the standard Beetle lineup. Bill talks about what makes the...
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Ep 350 KARMA: The 1955 Karmann Ghia That Won the Al Slonaker Award | Type 1 Restoration at the Grand National Roadster Show
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
“Karma” is the latest ground-breaking creation from Type 1 Restoration — Dennis Troggio's 1955 Lowlight Karmann Ghia that just captured the coveted Al Slonaker Award at the Grand National Roadster Show, the highest honor for non-roadster vehicles at the most prestigious indoor custom car show in the world. This wasn’t their first shot at Slonaker glory. We get into the second attempt — and how lessons learned from the legendary “Turmoil” split-window Beetle (a build that redefined what was possible in the VW and hot rod world) shaped the philosophy behind Karma....
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Ep 349 OCW 2026 Type 1 Restoration wins at the GNRS
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
On this episode, Bill dives headfirst into One Crazy Weekend 2026 and what you can expect from what’s shaping up to be the biggest, baddest weekend of the year. If you’re planning to attend, now’s the time to start saving, booking rooms, and getting mentally prepared—this one’s going to be special. Bill breaks down the latest updates, including the new Sunday Cool-Down Pool Party, presented by Spikes Restoration and Werk Restoration—a perfect way to wind down after a full throttle weekend of Volkswagens, friends, and late nights. The episode also covers Bill’s road trip to the...
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Tech talk with Fred Simpson the “Great Engine Debate”
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
There’s been a lot of noise lately about engine performance, dyno numbers, and expectations—and instead of adding to the speculation, I brought in someone who actually lives this stuff. This week, I sit down with Fred Simpson for a good conversation on cylinder head technology, porting and polishing, and how all of it really translates into horsepower. Fred breaks down engine combinations, airflow calculations, and what kind of power you can realistically expect from different motor setups—while also being honest about the limitations he’s run into over the years. We also get into...
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Ep 347 I bought a new project! and Internet engine debate With Ross Wulf & Pat Downs performance
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
I made it a whole two weeks into the new year without buying a new project… and then I blew it 😆. This episode kicks off with the story of how I ended up with “Pookie’s Dream,” the iconic VW Trends August 1991 cover car. We touch on what that car meant to the hobby back then and why it still matters today. But the real heart of this episode is The Great Engine Debate. A recent dyno session sparked a massive discussion after comments posted by Ross Wolf revealed an engine that didn’t deliver the expected results. What followed was an explosion of opinions—over 65 comments...
info_outlineOn this episode, I sit down with my friend Paul Bernardo—an engineer, builder, and true mechanical savant who has left his mark on both Volkswagen and Porsche history. I first met Paul more than a decade ago, and ever since hearing his story, I’ve wanted to bring it to the podcast.
If you’re a fan of VW drag racing, you’ve probably heard of Mini Mike—the shortened wheelbase Volkswagen drag car that turned heads at the Bug-Ins back in the 1970s. That car was Paul’s creation. With a background in engineering, Paul could have gone in any direction, but he chose to dive into Volkswagens and eventually Porsches, turning his passion into a career that’s inspired countless enthusiasts.
Paul is a true Renaissance man: a builder who can make almost anything happen, a guy who sees opportunities where others see limits, and someone who has always been driven by creativity and precision. In this episode, we unpack his journey—from early VW drag racing days to building a legacy around some of the most iconic cars in our hobby.