EP 333 Eddie Fiore The Targa Fast Back
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
Release Date: 09/26/2025
Let’s Talk Dubs a Classic VW Podcast
On this episode, Bill and George catch up on projects that they're currently working on. George is in the shop busy working on a 21 window Bus super Beatles and producing videos for his YouTube channel. Bill talks about the existing status of his projects plus Pookie's dream what's happening with that and One crazy weekend talk the weekend with the off-road ride to Goode Springs Nevada. Bill also shares his story about getting car jacked with his close friend Mark D back in the early 90s in South Central Los Angeles. Lots of fun stuff don't miss it..
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On this episode Bill reviews the latest shows coming up for this summer in the never-ending SoCal weekend festival of shows throughout the entire summer. Lol I talk about the shows I will be at which is gonna be Luft Zegen and also Empy 70th anniversary happening June 20th. Also discuss the passing of Takashi Komori of Flat 4, Japan. I didn't get a chance to mention before I finish the recording the passing of legend Fred Simpson from performance technologies I'd like to get some people on to do a special podcast just for him. Also, I discuss some of the unique features you could find and some...
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Rick Sadler is one of those names you may not always hear first—but if you’ve been around the vintage Volkswagen scene long enough, you’ve definitely seen him. A member of the legendary Der Kleiner Panzers (DKP), Rick is what you’d call the Forrest Gump of the VW world—always there, always involved, and somehow part of some of the most iconic moments in VW history. In this episode, Rick takes us into his journey through the Type 4 performance scene—a path far less traveled when most builders were focused on Type 1 engines. From his early days racing at Ascot Park Speedway to...
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Supercharging a classic Volkswagen isn’t a new idea—it’s been around since the 1960s—but today’s technology is taking air-cooled performance to a whole new level. With the rise of modern kits like the AMR500, more VW enthusiasts are exploring forced induction as a serious upgrade for their street and performance builds. In this episode of Let’s Talk Dubs, we welcome back Ron and Kevin Trewhella from Rababak Performance to break down their latest innovation—the all-new MK supercharger kit. Designed specifically for larger displacement air-cooled VW engines like 2276cc, 2332cc, and...
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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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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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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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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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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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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...
info_outlineFor anyone who lived through the classic Volkswagen scene of the 1980s, the Raspberry Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback with the Targa Top is impossible to forget. This one-of-a-kind custom VW build captured the spirit of the era and became one of the most talked-about Type 3s of its time.
In this episode of Let’s Talk Dubs, I sit down with Eddie, the man behind this legendary Fastback, to hear the full story. From the moment a teenage enthusiast first stumbled onto the car, to the late nights in the neighborhood garage, this build represents the passion that fueled the VW hobby in the 80s.
We cover how the custom Type 3 Fastback dominated the awards at Type 3 Day, went on to appear in Volkswagen magazines across the globe, and cemented its place in VW history. Whether you’re into Type 3 restoration, 80s Volkswagen culture, or iconic show cars that changed the scene, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.