Let’s Talk Dubs

The ultimate VW air-cooled podcast. From history to drag racing, Vintage to rarest of the rare. We hit them all. if you love air-cooled classic Volkswagens then this podcast is for you.

Ep 264 UK's Rusty Lees Rock N Roll Beds 04/19/2024

Ep 264 UK's Rusty Lees Rock N Roll Beds Rusty Lee Pickering started in the Volkswagen hobby with a bright pink beetle. He couldn't have been more proud to drive that pink beetle in the early 90s. That led to a succession of different Volkswagens to own and always looking to make friends with other VW enthusiasts. When his neighbors owned buses and he wanted to meet him, an opportunity came where they could use his skill set. After leaving school, he learned to become a welder fabricator. When his new friend needed help with a rock 'n' roll bed, he looked at it and thought he could make a better version. That begins Rusty Lee's rock 'n' roll beds. At first he was just making them to presold orders by word-of-mouth before long. He was missing shows for an entire weekend because he never made it out of the car park from delivering pre-sold rock 'n' roll beds. With the help of a supportive wife who told him to bet on himself, he decided to go full-time and into making rock 'n' roll beds. He now has eight people helping build those beds in their workshop he's never been busier, a hard-core VW enthusiast from the beginning and a love for all things. Volkswagen is clear when you talk to him. Betting on yourself to win. Check out his website below. use code LTD for a discount. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30896563

Ep 263 Rick Mortensen Phoenix Bug or Rama Founder 04/13/2024

Ep 263 Rick Mortensen Phoenix Bug or Rama Founder Rick Mortensen has been a VW enthusiast for over 50 years. His love started in northern California in the late 60s. Building his first cow look car in the early 70s. He has a love for all things early style col-look. on this episode we discussed his history moving from Northern California to Phoenix, Arizona. Starting the Phoenix Bug o rama. The original Bug o rama in Sacramento, He used to fill-in when Dyno Don wasn’t available as an announcer. We discuss the varied vehicles that he’s had and his cover car from 1996 Cal-look edition Hot VW‘s magazine. His Chop Top Bug and Numerous other cars he’s had throughout the hobby. Cool stories about driving his 2276 from Arizona to Michigan to the VW factory and his friendship with Gene Berg and much more. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30809698

Ep 262 Roundtable!Clubs, shows, Find Bill’s Bug. 04/05/2024

Ep 262 Roundtable!Clubs, shows, Find Bill’s Bug. Roundtable! On this podcast, Bill and George discuss YouTube channels, Instagram followers, upcoming events and much much more. Also, Bill finds his Vin number for his original 1963 ragtop beetle that he would like to buy back any help would be much appreciated. We talk about the problem with, il the VW scene is larger than just southern California. Why do some people not pay attention to that. People that post on Instagram just to be posting. The problem some people have with car shows today. Motivation to build cars where it comes from and what gives cars sentimental value. www.thewagen.com /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30691073

Ep 261 Thump Thump's Jay Townsend 03/29/2024

Ep 261 Thump Thump's Jay Townsend 1990's UK VW Scene. Thump thump is a name synonymous with wild custom out of the park builds from the 90s. Jay Townsend's on this weeks podcast. His eye for style and creativity was exuded in the cars that were built through thump thump. Whether it was custom script where the rear air vents used to be. To reverse intake, manifolds and carburetors hidden behind the fan shroud. His ideas were definitely ahead of their time and style was the most important part of the build. It wasn't always good times on the road to build in custom cars at thump thump. Friends, family, and lots of different avenues of your life get impacted when you're immersed in working on cars seven days a. Sometimes the site gets lost when you're so focused on building something new and cool for the hobby. The creativeness in the ideas still show in some of the things that Jay does to this day whether it's his unique bubble man suit that he wore a Volk world or trophies, he custom designs, always marches on a beat of his own. And find out which custom car builder that's in the UK today was given some tough love and went back to the drawing board when given some constructive criticism by Jay. A great podcast and a great guy one thing you can always say is Jay tells it like he sees it. Use Lets talk dubs for $100 discount /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30589923

Ep 260 Pat Downs Performance 03/22/2024

Ep 260 Pat Downs Performance Pat Downs Has been building perfromance motors for the last 35 years. He was the main engine builde rat CB Performance for 30 years. On this episode we discuss what was the reason he left his last emolyer. What life has been like starting your new career in your mid-50s. What his expectation was and how it's turned out so far. We also discuss several new product lines. He's bringing to market the problem with main bearings and the solution. And we can't have this conversation without talking about drag racing. Pat also owns the ECPRA Pro Stock record at 5.90 seconds. 1/8th mile. That's right 5.9 seconds all motor no power adders that's very impressive. We also discussed the challenges and building performance motors today . Pat also went down to Texas versus the world and we talk about what happened that weekend. use code LTD need a supercharger click "lets talk dubs" for discount /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30491423

Ep 259 Oldspeed's Russell Ludwig 03/15/2024

Ep 259 Oldspeed's Russell Ludwig Russel Ludwig is the owner operator of Oldspeed out of Paramount California. His shop has been in business since the late 80s. Starting as a source of income to get through college it turned into a business that filled a need in the Volkswagen scene. From buying and flipping cars at Pomona and giving them the "Oldspeed "look. Starting in the early 80s he seen it all in the Vw scene from days of the street races to building engines and cars for drag racers and gang members alike. His shop in Long Beach was neutral territory. His best friend Roland made for his first employee and they were together until Roland passed away. We get an insight to his early upbringing, his parents wanting him to be an accountant, and the draw that Volkswagens had on his desire to pursue his passion. Through the ups and downs oldspeed has been a constant. If you know Russel you know he give you the shirt off his back. A genuine guy and a great friend. A wealth of knowledge and always willing to share. discount code LTD /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30383908

EP 258 T2D Paul Medhurst 03/08/2024

EP 258 T2D Paul Medhurst If you've read any issues of Volks World over the past 20 years I'm certain you know the name Paul Medhurst from his early days with the square back they gave him the nickname "Puppy". Setting off early in his days to roam the world his experience was cut short due to lack of funds. After he spent some money buying a lot of type three parts posting them for sale in the magazine advert Paul came back to an answering machine full of request for parts. Asking his friend Ivan to use the name type three detectives Paul then kicked off a successful business supplying NOS type three parts in the early days of his career. Seeing the change evolve into lots of buses being put back on the road it was only natural that the transition was made to type two detectives. It's good to hear the stories from the enthusiast that turn their hobby into a career and the path he took to do it. Now he's got a YouTube channel out where they're starting to film a lot of the work that they're doing at their shop. Subscribe to their channel today and check out what the lot over there at TD2 is up to! www.type2detectives.com /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30290933

Ep 257 Alex Boughen UK Young Gun Home built Show winner 03/01/2024

Ep 257 Alex Boughen UK Young Gun Home built Show winner It doesn't always take tons of money to make a showstopper. Alex Boughen and his father are proof of this. Alex having a desire for an air cooled beetle picks up at 1975 1200. The seller says it needs just a little bit of work on a few weekends to get it on the road. Removing the carpet revealed that the nails holding the carpet down to the wood screwed to the holy floor pan meant trouble. Luckily Alex's dad is a welder by trade and they took on the rebuild of this project and it turned out way better than expected. In 2022 Alex won the builders choice award that's given by the top builders in the UK to their favorite car. This car is loaded with air suspension custom three-piece 17 inch wheels a 1641 cc engine and tons of custom brass pieces built by Alex and his dad. This just goes to show it's not always about money it's more about determination. You're just in luck Alex is currently working on a 1968 Beetle to debut at Volksworld 2025 and we are looking forward to seeing that debut. Follow alex here https://www.instagram.com/harlekin.alex/ /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30180368

Ep 256 Texas Vs the World Promoter Clint Cox 02/23/2024

Ep 256 Texas Vs the World Promoter Clint Cox /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/30075688

Ep 255 Paul Morton VW Trends Contributing photographer & Editor for Auto sound & Security 02/16/2024

Ep 255 Paul Morton VW Trends Contributing photographer & Editor for Auto sound & Security The name Paul Morton should ring a bell. Paul is a contributing writer and photographer to the new Vw trends magazine. Paul was also editor of autosound security magazine as well as import racer magazine and co-editor of drifting magazine. His first Volkswagen he bought in 1986 worked on it as long as he could and was forced to move on to mini trucks for reasons of convenience. Paul's an all-around car guy and he really has a wide breath of everything 80s. On this podcast we discuss Volkswagens, mini trucks, cruising, car audio and everything else having to do with the 80s. It's a great episode and I know you'll enjoy a trip down memory lane back when times were way more cool and the cars were even cooler. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29979043

Ep 254 Mark Akullian Hot VWs 2024 Cal-look Cover car 02/09/2024

Ep 254 Mark Akullian Hot VWs 2024 Cal-look Cover car Is this the ultimate Cal-look tribute car. The California look with something that started in the late 60s early 70s in Southern California. For the past few decades, there have been lots of tribute cars and some have gone over the top and some have chased every specific detail down to the last Lucas turn signal. Mark Akullian has been in the Volkswagen scene since he was 13 years old which means over 30 years he's been in the Volkswagen scene. He's no stranger to magazine covers in April 1988 his 1957 beetle was on the pages of Hot VW's magazine. This yeay His 1961 beetle graced the cover of Hot VW's California look issue. That about sums up the goal when building a cal-look car. This car's been in the making for dozens of years with the slow collecting of every part and piece to build what Mark felt was the perfect California look Beetle. 2387 cc engine dual 48 Idas. Custom hand fabricated deck lid, (all steel) to replicate the EMPI fiberglass deck lid from back in the 60s. Porsche 356 brakes and original EMPI steering wheel. Those are those are just a few things, to name the dozens of customizing thats been done to this car to pay the ultimate tribute to the most popular Style that seems to never run out of favor with the crowds. Great story for a great car. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29868458

Ep 253 BBB 2024 Trip & some 80's game 01/26/2024

Ep 253 BBB 2024 Trip & some 80's game Buses By The bridge 2024 is a wrap and we talk about the weekend. Bill drove ther & back in a day. George talks about how his bus did with the new IRS conversion. Bob Daniels from the Facebook page Custom VW's of the 80's & 90's. Bob is flying out to Vegas to ride to GNRS & OCTO with Bill in the Carbon Cab. While BOB is here we paly a game. Guess the cost of parts back in the 80's and what that means in todays dollars. We discuss what we watch on youtube. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29658538

EP 252 Boyz in tha Hood. William Noguera & Robert VW Kidd 01/19/2024

EP 252 Boyz in tha Hood. William Noguera & Robert VW Kidd On this episode we discuss the early days in La Puente California. Buggs Buddies founding member William Noguera comes on the podcast with Robert Vw Kidd and they discuss the late 70s early 80s VW seen in Southern California. With a heavy Latin influence the origins of the LA style seems to begin here. You'll get to hear some wild stories of what it was like being a member of Bug's buddies what was the story on all the cars and what "Combey" means. It was a wild time for young teenagers in La Puente California. Some of these stories involve the police teenage dance clubs in a lot of Porsche alloys. Turns out a lot of these cars were stolen. That's why it's called Boyz in tha Hood /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29557428

EP 251 Mid-west VW guys & Sick Summer Drag & Drive with Chuck Fryer & Prescott Phillips 01/12/2024

EP 251 Mid-west VW guys & Sick Summer Drag & Drive with Chuck Fryer & Prescott Phillips With recent podcast being about Drag & Drive events some of the original guys have been doing drag & Drive events in the Midwest have reached out to me. Prescott Phillips and Chuck Fryer respectively the beer Panzer and the corn panzer have been running Midwest Drive events for years. Both Street cars running 11 second quarter these guys have been representing the VW contingent on six summer. They go in a great detail about what it takes to do with these events the type of prep they do what their cars and how they are built from transmission specs to engines camshaft carburetors and what they do to prepare for the race. It's definitely an experience that I think everyone should get a chance to do. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29455518

Ep 250 Eric Lussier one of the original EMPI Collectors 01/05/2024

Ep 250 Eric Lussier one of the original EMPI Collectors Ever wonder who's the guy on www.Thesamba.com with the super expensive original or NOS EMPI stuff. Wonder no more on today's podcast we've got Eric Lussier former VW collector, now owner of 2nd Avenue scooters in Phoenix Arizona. Eric is one of the original Pomona isle hounds that used to snatch up tons of EPMI & Rare stuff but before that he had an opportunity to go cross country several times and just grab tons and tons of EMPI and other cool collectible stuff from wrecking yards all over the east coast of the Midwest. This podcast has a lot of those stories of those adventures as to how he ran across different parts pieces and rarities. It's a fun podcast and we talk about quite a bit of the VW collecting hobby. We may even throw in a little bit of scooter talk every now and then. Eric still has a collection of VW buses which we break down and you may catch them out there in the Vw scene in Phoenix. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29356968

Ep 249 Karmann Konnection Ritchie King (El Ritchie) 12/29/2023

Ep 249 Karmann Konnection Ritchie King (El Ritchie) /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29268273

Ep 248 VW on the Power Tour and more 12/22/2023

Ep 248 VW on the Power Tour and more Bill discusses his Power Tour experience. What you should do if you decide to do the power tour and the good and bad of it. George and Bill discuss a letter that we received critiquing the one crazy weekend. It goes over some positives but more negatives than anything else and we address all the concerns for last year's event only to bring you a more exceptional event in 2024. George gets completely heated and loses it when he's accused of picking his friends cars for trophies. George is a man of integrity and I'm saying this as a hold a gun to my head. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29196128

Ep 247 Jeff Lain with Kaddie Shack 12/15/2023

Ep 247 Jeff Lain with Kaddie Shack More power on a budget? Kadron carburetors (The Brazillian Solex) have always been known for being the bottom level carburetor. Jeff Lane wirh Kaddie Shack will change your mind about that he's put down plenty of quarter mile passes that have been super fast and he got into tuning and dealing with cadre on carburetors years ago. Take a listen to a great story and interview on how Jeff decided to leave his full-time job and pursue his passion in the VW industry helping people get performance on a budget. Caddyshack has had a consistent presence in the drag racing circuit. The 71 beetle that you see on the dragstrip is there a drag car that they drive to the drag races and on a daily basis. Nothing says performance more and reliability in the car that you drive to the drag races and click off 12 second passes. Take a listen this podcast for some good information and some insight on finding hidden horsepower in those Kadron carburetors. use code LTDPODCAST /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/29092908

Ep 246 Icon Pistons Trevor Cleveland 12/08/2023

Ep 246 Icon Pistons Trevor Cleveland On this podcast we discussed piston technology and manufacturing. Trevor Cleveland with iKON brand pistons (manufactured by United Engine and Machine one of America's largest piston manufactures) Gives us the lowdown on pistons. We discussed the anatomy of a piston and the technology. We also get into what the VW industry is lacking with respect to quality pistons. Trevor is one of us, he's a hard-core VW enthusiast that drives a 1969 Volkswagen fastback with an odd combination 2110. Not only do we talk about pistons but we also get his history in the VW scene. If you're interested in being a distributor for icon pistons reach out to Trevor they are looking for more distributors. Check them out here. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28985268

Ep 245 2 Guys 1 race Death week 12/01/2023

Ep 245 2 Guys 1 race Death week Driving your Volkswagen is the most fun. One of the greatest experiences I've ever had was driving my Volkswagen in competition against other cars. This weeks episode is about the only Volkswagen that was in 2023's sick the magazine death week. It's a weeklong road trip that goes from track to track and plenty of oddball places in between for checkpoints. AJ Sims of low budget racing and Anton Walker piloted his fastback Volkswagen on this challenge. And what a challenge it was. It seems like they were destined for trouble from the beginning. It's a wild story about late nights, roadside repairs, not enough sleep, roach motels and all of the things that make road trips so memorable. I guarantee after you listen to this you'll want to take your Volkswagen on one of these events. It doesn't need to be the fastest but it definitely can be the most fun. Driving our cars is what this is all about. There's no fun just staring at it in the show room but the rubber the road and make tracks like these guys did. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28877248

Ep 244 Jeff Patterson Type 4 Revolution 11/24/2023

Ep 244 Jeff Patterson Type 4 Revolution Jeff Patterson is with Type 4 Revoulution. Hes your east coast type 4 guy. WIth a back ground in the military being trained in helicopeter manitinance. His love for working on VWs comes from a need to fix his own cars. He loves type 4 engines. We discuss the type 4 engine pros & cons. While stationed in Germany he was able to access cool type 4 upgrades for his Super Beetle. While he was in town for the SEMA show we were able to connect & sit down & do a podcast. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28783758

EP 243 T3HQ Mario Steinhauser 11/17/2023

EP 243 T3HQ Mario Steinhauser Type 3's are a special VW, and the people committed to them area just as unique. Mario Steinhauser has had type 3HQ since 1991. An avid type three enthusiast he found a love for these cars at a young age. Realizing how difficult parts were to get in a few great opportunities he was able to start type 3HQ. They specialize in VW type three parts and lots of NOS pieces. If you have questions about type three originality details specifications and more you can always reach out to him on his Instagram. He often has lots of cool type 3Z has for sale as well. Another great story from another person that's in our hobby that makes things better.. Dont forget to use Code LTDPODCAST for a discount /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28696428

Ep 242 UK Drag Racing Legend john Brewster 11/10/2023

Ep 242 UK Drag Racing Legend john Brewster Drag racing in the United Kingdom with Volkswagens started in the late 70s early 80s. A lot of guys from the day are still around and we were able to track down one of them for today's podcast. John Brewster got into Volkswagens in the mid-70s eventually working for auto carava a VW restoration and supply company. That evolved into him building engines and performance motors. He I listed the auto caravan drag car that also worked for slalom racing and lots of other things back in the day. He was originally involved in the VW drag racing in the UK. One of the original pioneers that started a lot of this across the pond. Do you know owns and operates JB's Elite fabrication. A great story and interesting insight as to the challenges that they dealt with being in the UK and not having access to the parts and pieces that we have here. Follow his Instagram and check out the links below /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28585148

Ep 241 UK's Chris Godding 1973 Ghia 11/03/2023

Ep 241 UK's Chris Godding 1973 Ghia Chris Goddin is from Wales England the wet part of the country. Chris and his son Zach are podcast listeners we started talking & he showed me his car. His 1973 Karmann Ghia is spectacualr. The imprssive part of this car is he built it all himslef. Its an example of what hard work & dedicatin can make happen. Its pwoered by a 2332cc powerplant. Tucked in bumpers, air ride, leater interior make this ghia one rad car! He's also had rthe fuchs custom made, He is producing 3 piece wheels through his company Dogtown wheels. His first car had a set of 3pc 911 wide 5 fuchs. . <<<<<---- Georges Youtube /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28508252

Ep 240 Rob O'Rourke's Amazing type 34 10/27/2023

Ep 240 Rob O'Rourke's Amazing type 34 When you see a Type 34 Ghia they are a work of art. When this Italian designed car meets an interior to match, You get the Ghia we have here. Rob "Rourky" O'rourke is a man with an eye for style. He's raised in the trade of coach trimming (2nd generation). His father started the business and he worked for him eventually taking it over. He is quite a character. In his daily life he works on Ferraris, Lamborghini's & Jaguars. Using his knolwadge of the classic coachtrimming from the golden era of racecar, he blends these styles together. On his Type 34 he brought this all together. From the bronze knobs, to intergrated lights, and lets not for get the brass work. If you meet him, you'll remeber him always. I know I will, and I look forward to seeing anything else he builds. A true craftsman with incredible talent. Check out the talent of his team on thier YouTube channel. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28446872

Ep 239 Game Changer 1952 Split window Randy Gates 10/20/2023

Ep 239 Game Changer 1952 Split window Randy Gates There are cars that inspire other peoples cars to be built, with out the people that build those cars that wouldnt happen. Randy Gates is the man behind several cars that have infulenced the VW scene. First his 1957 23 Window bus that graced the cover of Hot VWs in 2003. Then his 1952 Split window bug that was built by Buddy Hale in Tempe Az. This car most certanly had a huge impact on the VW scene as a whole. It definitely had that impact on me. The azure blue 1952 crotch cooler split window was a perfect example of a Calle car done right. With all of the signature signs of Buddy Hale mild the paint custom fab shift light and line lock on the column two special viewing windows for the rear shift tunnel. This was one of the first cars that buddy put extra detail in to show off a lot of his extra fab work. This car when it hit the scene was legendary and raise the bar for a bunch of other vehicles. It's hard to say the exact influence this vehicle had on the scene but this podcast goes into the story behind building it and one man's approach to building his dream car. Randy has a history that goes back to the early 70s growing up in Southern California there was no shortage of cool VW's out there that lit his fire that burned and reignited in the 2000s. His 67 stock Bug then his 57' 23 window bus onto the split window and more Randy's owned in his life over 40 Volkswagens. A great podcast and a good listen . /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28372139

Ep 238 One crazy Weekend Wrap up show 10/13/2023

Ep 238 One crazy Weekend Wrap up show This episode is a round table about the One Crazy Weekend. The people on this podcast are Andy Finch UK (Spikes Restoration) Russell Ritchie Scottland (Gasser Garage) Johnny Osmondson US Worlds fasetest street bug, George Tsagrinos US (the Wagen). If youve never been to the One Crazy Weekend. This podcast will give you some insite on what its like. The perspective from participants from around the world. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28313189

Ep 237 Air Mighty's Niels Timmerman 10/06/2023

Ep 237 Air Mighty's Niels Timmerman Niels Timmerman is the man behind Air Mighty Megascene. The ultiamte VW Magazine. This is a great story about how one guy's passion for photography turns into a website which eventually turns into taking a huge risk and starting a magazine. Nils has been a staple in the VW community in the Netherlands. Just like the rest of us starting with nothing but hard work and a dream he's amassed a few car in his collection that he really enjoys. His background and graphic design is obvious when you look at the quality of the things that he produces. It's professional on another level. His eye for what looks good is evident with every issue of air mighty megascene /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28245344

Ep 236 Paul Irving of Irv's VW restoration 09/29/2023

Ep 236 Paul Irving of Irv's VW restoration Paul Irving is a guy with passion you can sense just from talking to him about how much he loves Volkswagens. His commitment to do a high-quality restoration shows in the work they produce. Starting in his early days working on cosworth Fords and import cars. He found his true love when he saw his first split screen. From that point forward he's been committed to the hobby ever since. Constantly pushing the envelope and he's been repaid by high customer satisfaction and a never ending list of cars to restore. He has people bringing him cars from all over the world to this remote place in the Lakes District of England for full restoration. A painter by trade he paid his dues started from nothing and built it into one of the most impressive shops in all of England today. Besides that Paul (Irv) is a great guy with a great sense of humor if you catch him at make sure you chat him up. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28180277

Ep 235 Round Table Pre Show & Bill Goes world wide Air-Might 09/22/2023

Ep 235 Round Table Pre Show & Bill Goes world wide Air-Might It Showtime!! Bill & George talk about OCW (One Crazy Weekend) Show details. Also Bill tells the story of his trip to Hawaii for the VW Club of Hawaii's Shaka VW show. The trip to Maui on the saturday for the Kruise For Kurt. Then Bill & his son head out for a flight to London then a 2 hour ride to Essex to Spikes Vintage restoration. They meet up with a 5 car caravan of top level show cars drive to an overnight ferry. The next morning off to the show a 2 hour drive in the Netherlands. 2 days at the Air-mighty show and some of the cars that are there. A great weekend that just gets better. Live your life. /episode/index/show/letstalkdubs/id/28110827

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