Lets Talk Dubs

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 developed a specialty in carburetors—something he's become widely known for throughout the VW community. Today, Rick rebuilds carburetors for professional engine builders and enthusiasts alike. His deep knowledge of Weber and Dellorto carburetors helps people choose the right setup for their engine combination and get the most performance out of their dual-carb systems. We talk about the differences between popular carburetor model

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 1973 Sport Bug so unique, how rare these special edition Beetles really are, and what his plans are for this latest addition to the fleet. We also dive into the 2026 Volkswagen show season, previewing some of the major VW events coming up this year. Plus we recap Desert Dub Fest 5 in Phoenix, Arizona, which took place over Valentine's weekend and brought out a great crowd of air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiasts. George T. joins the

  "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. Turmoil raised the bar. Karma shattered it. The 1955 Lowlight Karmann Ghia is already one of the rarest early production Volkswagens ever built — the very first year of Ghia production. Owner Dennis Troggio was also hands on with this build. But this car goes far beyond restoration. Nearly everything on Karma has been re-engineered, re-imagined, or custom-machined from scratch. The list of untouched parts is shorter than the list of one-off componen

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 Grand National Show, where he went to support the VW community and those competing for the prestigious Al Slonker Award. Congrats go out to Buddy Hile with One Restoration, who took home the top honors. Rounding things out, Bill shares thoughts from stopping by the Doug Berg Memorial Celebration of Life, reflecting on legacy, community, and the people who shaped the VW world. Packed with updates, stories from the road, and what's coming

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 camshaft technology and ask the big question: has cam design kept pace with modern cylinder head development? To round it out, Fred shares his unfiltered take on exhaust systems—what works, what doesn't, and which designs he says flat-out choke an engine. If you're into engine theory, real-world results, and no-BS technical insight, this is one of those episodes you won't want to miss. www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use L

I made it a whole two weeks into the new year without buying a new project… and then I blew it

The baddest "Kat" in the Chevy truck world might surprise you—because it all started with Volkswagens. In this episode, we sit down with  "Dino Battilana, the mastermind behind the world-famous Dino Git Down Chevy truck show in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the largest and most influential classic Chevy C10 events in the country. For more than 10 years, Dino Git Down has drawn Chevy pickup trucks from all over the United States and international visitors, growing into an absolute monster of a show. With over 13,000 trucks attending last year, it has become a must-attend event for classic truck enthusiasts, custom builders, and C10 fans worldwide. But before the C10 fame, Dino's automotive journey began in the Volkswagen world. In this episode, we dive deep into his VW roots, his passion for air-cooled Volkswagens, and how that foundation shaped his approach to building, design, and community. We also break down his latest personal build—a jaw-dropping 1960 Volkswagen that defies categories. While it looks like a c

Jake Raby is widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts on the Volkswagen Type 4 engine, with more than 30 years of hands-on experience building, developing, and refining air-cooled Type 4 VW engines. Since the late 1990s, Jake has been deeply involved in Type 4 engine rebuilding, performance development, and long-term reliability testing for platforms used in VW Bus, Porsche 914, and high-performance air-cooled Volkswagen applications. Over the decades, Jake has pushed the limits of the Type 4 air-cooled engine platform, pioneering advancements in cooling systems, cylinder head porting, plenum and intake temperature control, camshaft profiles, and custom internal components. Many of the bespoke Type 4 engine parts used in his builds were designed or commissioned specifically to solve known weaknesses and extract maximum horsepower while maintaining street-driven reliability. What sets Jake apart in the air-cooled Volkswagen Type 4 engine world is his uncompromising work ethic and attention to deta

San Leandro, California—an industrial Bay Area city shaped by its Portuguese community and a deep-rooted Volkswagen culture—holds a story few outside the neighborhood ever knew. Tucked away behind an unassuming fence was a Volkswagen collection unlike anything else in the region. For years, local kids would stop, peer through the slats, and take it all in: early Beetles, split windows, rare convertibles, stacks of glass, and parts that hinted at decades of careful accumulation. It was a forgotten archive of Volkswagen history—silent, untouched, and unexplained. Then came the revelation. The cars belonged to Stuart Alexander, the owner of the Sausage King facility and the man later convicted in one of San Leandro's most infamous criminal cases—the murder of health inspectors at his warehouse. A crime that shocked the community also cast a long shadow over what had once seemed like a harmless automotive mystery. In the years that followed, the Volkswagen hoard was quietly dismantled. With the help of a voluntee

2025 was a huge year for documenting Volkswagen history—and in this episode, we take a full look back. We review the entire 2025 podcast episode list, breaking down highlights and key moments from nearly every show in case you missed an episode or two along the way. From early Volkswagen drag racing history and legendary builders, to modern VW product development, fresh builds, and stories shaping the hobby today, this year covered it all. With over 50 episodes released, there's a ton of ground to cover. This recap episode ties everything together, revisits standout conversations, and reflects on why preserving and sharing air-cooled Volkswagen history still matters. So sit back, relax, and get a full rundown of the stories, guests, and moments that made 2025 an unforgettable year for the VW community.   www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use code LTD10 for 10% off www.ssaircooled.com ICON pistons  

What if the Volkswagen you built as a teenager never really left you? In this episode, we get into the incredible full-circle story of David Lawler and his 1971 Volkswagen Beetle from Southeast England. David bought his very first VW at just 14 years old, poured years into building it, and saw that dream rewarded when the car landed in a Volkswagen magazine in 1995. But life changes. Priorities shift. The unthinkable happens—and the car is sold. Watching your first show-winning Volkswagen drive away is a regret that never fully fades. For decades, the Beetle would resurface in David's life, always just out of reach. Nearly 30 years later, he finally gets the chance to buy it back—only to discover it's far worse than he imagined. Rather than restore what was lost, David makes a bold decision: start over and build something entirely new. The result is a radically re-imagined 1971 VW Beetle—a modern, hot-rod-inspired machine that stands completely apart from anything else in the Volkswagen world. From extensive

The East Coast of Canada is cold, and the car season is short — usually May through October. New Brunswick isn't known as a hotbed for the air-cooled Volkswagen scene, but when the VW bug bites you out there, you're all in. Terry grew up in a drag-racing family, and everything changed the day his father gifted him a convertible Karmann Ghia. That single car sparked a lifelong obsession with all things air-cooled VW. From flat-towing a '67 Beetle over 2,000 miles from Alabama, to drag-racing a Herbie-themed bug, to eventually owning the legendary Save-A-Bugcampaigned by Jack Shacettie — Terry's passion has taken him across the continent. His vacations? They weren't for relaxing — they were spent in Southern California, wrenching in work clothes at Jack's shop just to be part of the action. Now retired from a career in insurance, Terry finally opened a small but official shop in New Brunswick. Not for business — but to help keep his cars and his friends' cars on the road. Terry's collection tells the story of a

In this episode of the Let's Talk Dubs podcast, we dive into a big development in the VW drag racing world — the ROC Cory Mack Race cancellation and what it means for racers, fans, and the upcoming season. We also celebrate a major milestone as Zorba the Ghia finally appears in VW Trends Magazine after a year of waiting. Bill shares his unfiltered thoughts on seeing a go-kart featured on the cover of a major Volkswagen magazine and what that means for the direction of the hobby. From there we shift gears to the SEMA Show, breaking down the MST booth, the best Volkswagens at SEMA, standout builds, and trends shaping the air-cooled VW community for 2025. Plus, we get into updates on Bill's projects including new upgrades for #WhiteFlash, installing an Alpine audio system, tackling a new wiring harness, chasing down oil leaks, and dealing with powder-coating issues that every builder can relate to. If you're passionate about classic air-cooled Volkswagens, VW magazines, SEMA show coverage, Las Vegas VW culture,

Social media has become a powerhouse in today's Volkswagen hobby, and if you've spent any time online, you've definitely seen the rise of content creators shaping the air-cooled VW scene. One of the biggest names pushing the culture forward is Chris Davern, better known as @Driven60VW on Instagram. Based in Arizona, Chris has built a massive following of over 100,000 VW enthusiasts by consistently posting high-quality content centered around classic Volkswagens, restoration insights, and the day-to-day life inside the air-cooled community. In many ways, social media has become the new VW magazine, delivering fresh Volkswagen content straight to your phone in real time. This week on the show, we sit down with Chris to talk about his journey into the VW world, what sparked his passion, and how his online presence has evolved over the past five years. Chris brings a ton of positivity to the hobby, and his enthusiasm for vintage Volkswagens truly comes through in his posts, videos, and behind-the-scenes stories.

Brett Hawkbee is a name that's known throughout the UK for creating a legendary bug jam. The largest show in the UK and it's third year it broke all records for any show that was happening in the UK car show specific. Going to other shows and feeling like he could do better, he decided to put something together with an idea and a couple opportunities. The doubters were stacked against him thinking it would be a flop instead 38 years later it still, pushing right along. He's also the builder of the legendary Targa Ghia that was at One crazy weekend. That's now owned by Russell Ritchie. That car has a place in Volkswagen history of one of the most iconic 80s cars ever produced in the UK. This is a story of what happens when you have the desire, determination and a love for the hobby. Brett has gone on to do skateboard shows. Music festivals and other events. He was also the founder of the UK's VWDRC .  www.letstalkdubs www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use LTD10 doe 10% off ICON Pistons here      

Scott Hopkins hails from Hyrum Gerogia his 1956 oval window is quite unique. What happens when you build a Volkswagen that doesn't follow the norms of your typical fue wheels and original paint colors and no customization. Well, in this case it will get you noticed at the triple Crown of hot rodding car show. And receiving a top 30 award that's example of modern Volkswagen builds that blend some hot rod flavor with traditional Volkswagen enthusiast styling. Over the past few years, we've seen influx of Volkswagens starting to show up at some of the hot rod shows and picking off some of the top awards. It's a trend. I enjoy seeing because it continues to push the hobby further into a new crowd that can expand their ideas into other car builds not just hot rods. this is a unique build that has a really good balance of hot rod and Vw creativity. One of the great things is that other than Paint Scott has done a lot of this work himself out of his garage over the past few years. A true labor of love while trying t

Rick Stanchfield has VW history starting back in the 1970's. His passion was fuled by the hearing some fast VWs while slinging drywall. His life was changed forever. He started with a single port engine then off to the races with his new "race Motor" running in the 12's. His path is  long & winding with the likes of Steve Tims. driving for lots of different people like Eric Ballard and many more. He moves from drywall to transaxels. Steve Timms buys the Lee Leighton Oval then they rebuilt the car and ran 10.30's. So much history in this podcast. Crazy stories about drag racing events.    www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com ICON pistons here  www.letstalkdubs.com  

One Crazy weekend has passed and we sit down with Andy Finch & Trav lawton and discuss the weekend events from the weekend. Lots happend this week up to and during the event. Top 20 awards Best of show winner for $1,000 and the specialty awards. Travs perspective as a visitor from out of country. Andys push to get the OCW 68 & Sin City 69 to the finishline. We dicuss the events of the Poker tournament, Bowling torunament & strip cruise then the car show with the finally of the Poker Run! what an event!

For 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.     www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com