In this episode of *Let’s Talk Dubs*, we sit down with Tom Simon, an iconic figure in the world of drag racing and a long-time enthusiast of classic Volkswagens. Tom shares his incredible journey, from early days in the racing scene to the challenges and triumphs of competing on and off the track. We delve into the technical secrets behind building a high-performance VW drag car, the evolution of racing culture, and Tom’s personal insights into what it means to live a life of speed. If you’re a fan of VWs, racing, or the stories of legends who push boundaries, this episode is a must-listen. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com https://www.facebook.com/simonracing325/
On this weeks episode, we discussed the Vegas world finals drag racing. I bring on Adam Wik to get a drag racers perspective on how the event went down and his impressions. Also, I give my thoughts and two cents on the dragracing community what they can do to come together and also what's gonna happen now that Irwindale is gone. After that, we get on the microphone from world finals in Las Vegas and discuss drag racing in Belgium with the Belgian drag racing Association representatives. We sit down with Vito Versluys and Michael Spiessens. Vito runs a Drag bug that's running quite fast into the tens second-quarter mile. We get how they started and how the Belgian drag racing Association came about. Also what it's like to race in Belgium versus what we have here in the US. cool guys, great story good podcast. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1575682792751616/ https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkdubspodcast
This weekend coming up is the Vegas world finals drag racing at the Las Vegas motor Speedway. We discuss a little bit of that toward the end of the podcast but we spent some time talking about the new video that Bill and @VegasMicahG. just put out on the crew cab, a.k.a. the carbon cab. Micha does some pretty rad videos and I really like his style so we decided to collaborate on shooting a cool video for the carbon cab. Some rolling shots driving through Vegas as well as the story and the build process of it and what went on I've had to request for some wal spot make sure you watch this video on your Hi-Rez TV. It shot in a cinematic format so it should come across really cool. Also hoping to be able to interview a lot of W. drag racers this weekend at the Las Vegas motor Speedway for the Vegas world finals I know there are people coming from Austria, Hawaii, belgium, England, and much much more looking forward to a good drag race weekend here. Make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel link below so if I live stream, you'll be there with us. https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkdubspodcast9361 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6FQ4XI03wg
This year December 7th is the first Cory Mac's Vegas world finals. Putting on a drag racing event is no small feat. Las Vegas motor Speedway is one of the premier tracks on the West Coast and to put on a Volkswagen event. There is a special thing. We have Brian Watts on the podcast today the promoter for this event and we discuss some of the details with, this car show Swap meet and drag race event. Without events like this, what happens to our hobby my suggestion is to promote and support these events. For more information click the links below. We also discuss with Jorge some of the One crazy weekend changes for this following year as well as the link for room reservations for 2025 for One crazy weekend. Get Tickets for Vegas World Finals here www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com OCW 2025 Room Discount Link
On this episode, we discussed the history of the type three 1500 better known in the US by the models the square back, the notchback and the type 34 ghia were never officially imported to the United States. This podcast will give you a summarized history of VW's purpose behind designing the type three 1500 the reasoning behind it and what went into producing this car. In addition to those fun facts, you'll also get to hear a lot of specific details that make the type three different than the type one also, stumbles across a bunch of reviews that he's never read from overseas and goes through a half dozen reviews so if you never heard your shot out, you'll get your shot out today. So if you love VW history, you will love this podcast. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com
Restoring the oldest type 34 Karmann Ghia. In this month hot VW's December 2024 check out Lee Hedges oldest type 34 Ghia fully restored. It's the 11th Type 34 ever produced. This is the in-depth interview for tons of detail on the uniqueness of an early 1962 type 34 Ghia. These cars are really unique to begin with, but this one's even more special, being the first handful that came off the assembly line there were lots of other really unique parts and pieces for this car that make it very special. Who better to own it than Lee Hedges who is the foremost expert of type 34 Ghia has started the registry years and years ago and a guy who , He's helped the hobby in such a massive way and we always learn something when we talk to Lee Hedges https://www.t34world.org Www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com
The binz all right double cab is kind of a mystery mostly produced from 57 to 59. The first Sales literature shows up as a special order for Volkswagen in 1953. On this podcast we go through the story of the Binz double cab, the purpose that ignited the creation and a lot of the details and history that went along with this pick up truck that was built essentially for two years. Now there may be more out there that we're built from 53 to 57. None that are on the registry at this point for more information go to the links below. Also, we interviewed my friend and special guest Chris Vuchovic and hear the story of how he purchased his two bins double caps one being a 1957 one being one being in 1958 one being in 1959 Volkswagen went onto produce the double cab in 1959 as the first production year. It's a pretty cool story and thanks to my listener for requesting this history. If you have any history you'd like to hear, or hit me up on Facebook and reach out to me through the website www.let’stalkdubs.com https://hayburner.co.uk/binz-coachbuilt-history/ http://dropgates.com www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendzmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com
Brian Hyerstay G Dragster has a 1680cc engine revs to over 10,000 RPM & has a best ET of 8.43. And thats with NO POWER ADDERS. Brian has been involed n VWs since his first Bug in the early 70's. Since then hes raced his 1962 Beetle that hes owned since then. He then switcehd over to a Manx buggy for drag racing. When he reched the pinnacle of that, he bought a used G-Dragster and started his journey up the ranks of Competition Eliminator. His 1680 CC has custom builr cylinder heads, an overhead cam, fuel injection, all off of a stock case. Hes racked up over 20 Wally's the covedted NHRA award for any racer. Brian is pusing the envelope with this 1680cc engine. He also ha a 1977 348 RWH street beetle in all stock trim. Can you say SLEEPER. Come meet him December 7th at the World Finals in Las Vegas. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/g6DkTQNAhEyM1h3c/ https://www.facebook.com/p/Brian-Hyerstay-racing-engines-100062928716496/?_rdr https://www.facebook.com/groups/1028580878239828 www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com www.letstalkdubs.com
Bill, Andy Finch (Spikes Vintage Restoration) Tory Alonzo @vdubber4life discuss One Crazy Weekend 2024. The Strip Cruise, The car Show & The Poker Run!!!!! Jumping the El Ritchie Ghia tribute car.. Crusing the strip and all teh fun that follows. Desert dubs did a video on it. George T did a build video check out the links below. Andy discusses the 3 Day 80's Tribute build of the 1986 VW Trends Cover car of Ritchie King. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com https://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen https://youtu.be/IRN-xsGXk-s?si=i1d3J9Cxl8K9H4pp
The 1980s were a super cool time and show cars. Most of the guys in the scene were in their early 20s and not only did they have a big hand in building their own cars. A lot of guys drove them to the shows and back with full wheels off mirror displays. Cal-dub was no different. Built by Jack Digiacomo painted by Steve Knecht coming out of Bakersfield. These guys were ready to shake up the SoCal Vw scene. And that, they did with lots of battles out there in the show circuit. This story is about cal-dub the car built by Jack Jack Digiacomo Sen, sold during life changes and re-purchased by his son some 20 years later. The next time the car debuts at the Grand National Roadster Show where I originally did this interview with father and son and Steve Knecht which that original podcast is lost in Mexico. Fastforward to 2024 One crazy weekend, we were all reunited again where we could record that podcast over also displaying three cars all painted by Steve connect and two he built. We discussed the Bakersfield days and what it was like during competitions. A great story about how these cars sometimes mean more than just steal, glass, and rubber. Enjoy. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com www.thewagen.com https://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkdubspodcast9361
What Happend to the original inch pincher? A fviral Video from a podcast called west of Tulsa had a guest Peter Kappen He spoke about a guy Blase Mcfadden who claimed to have the orignal Inch Pincher. This podcast takes on a wild ride as to who exactly blaze McFadden was as well as the history of the inch pincher years and dates when things happen modifications took place to try to validate whether this is the actual inch pincher or not or something totally different. The VW hobby is filled with so many different intricacies with respect to, the trails, the different cars and people took and this is no different. There's lots of interesting tidbits of information that have crossovers to other parts of the automotive world. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswullf.com https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkdubspodcast9361 https://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen
Andy Finch From spikes VIntage restoration is in the studio. He has brought Zorba, the Ghia and his bus here to Las Vegas. For a couple weeks of fun in the sun. We discuss how the Zorba project started some of the challenges we ran into and as well a lot of the people that really helped in the build process. What he thought of my theme when we started. The bumps in the road as builder and customer, but the culmination of my ideas the spikes, vintage teams, hard work and the successful unveiling at George's Shop. It was definitely experience of a lifetime for me and to be able to have who I now consider a really great friend. Be able to build it for me in a record amount of time and debut it at my favorite Volkswagen event. ONE CRAZY WEEKEND. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrends.com www.spikesvintagerestoration.com for the best how to Videos got to https://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen www.rosswulf.com
Sometimes steering is the craziest thing to deal with on your vintage bus. Rusty, who hail out of the Netherlands, decided to help some friends, modify their buses and install some rack and pinion set ups. From that became a business. Since then he sold over 100 rack and pinion bus steering set ups. We get into the details of what makes the difference between a warm drive and rack and pinion steering. Also what it takes to install and what the difference is between the different set ups. Can you have a bus with big tires in the front and have it feel like power assist steering? Will find out on this weeks episode Don't forget to check out One crazy weekend sponsored by EMPI www.empius.com http://www.airteriors.co.uk https://www.rustys.nl www.vwtrends.com www.rosswulf.com www.letstalkdubs.com
Tony Viera hails from San Jose, California. His connection with Volkswagens started at an early age working at a speed shop (Goodies speed shop) and thinking they were cool. He built a Manx he saw those cars being so cool. He opened up a business by the name of Meg's house. After a few years moved on and partnered in a company called Bugformance and Sunnyvale, California. His history starts in the 60, late 70s with Volkswagens. Being an exclusive Manx dealer for a few years as well as the "thunder bug" buggy. He dabbled and off-road racing in the early days. Even racing at the old Stardust raceway here in Las Vegas in 1968. He's got a lot of great stories from the early days of, the dune buggy craze Volkswagens and customizing those cars which eventually evolved into more than this. It's a great story with lots of history. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com
After my podcast last week talking about a Myers Manx that I was posting up for sale I got an inbox message from Kenny Nash. Kenny referred me to his body Todd Cooper, who had a really great story on finding an all original one owner Max in the basement of a house in Virginia. When he tried to buy it from the original owner, it was a no sale. Things changed when the owner passed away. He left his good friend in charge of all the cars, but the buggy was supposed to go to an ex-girlfriend as luck would have it, Todd ends up with the car. It's a wild story and a cool project. Also, we follow up on Bill getting flamed on a Face classified for Myers Manx Cars. When he post his 1969 titled series one makes up for sale. Bill has no problem getting attacked by the gatekeepers. But as fate would have it, Bill would soon be vindicated. We call out some of those Facebook people by name and we denounce their expertise in the Manx forums. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com https://booksbymeyers.com
Bill & Tory talk about OCW updates. How can shows effect / enhance the VW scene. Bill found his 1963 VW. The 3rd owner has had it over 25 Years... I owned it for 5 years hes owned it 25. Im conflicted. We discuss the 80s Car stereo scene. What was the set up that you have ? Lufhause Blake sends me some MB Quart Speakers. What I have been collecting for vintage car audio. Some of yor favorite test tracks. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com www.lufthaus.com
Bill & Tory Alonzo discuss the last podcast it got some good response. It was about why do we not see people expressing their individuality through their cars like they once did in the 1980s and 90s. Lots of factors came in to play. We read some listener feedback. We also discussed in evolution of what could've caused this change and what factors are pressing on this. Also, our car shows part of the problem? Have they fed into this lackluster scene that we see right now? Will, Tori, Alonso and myself have a lot of ideas about this. You can give us your feedback if you think we're wrong. www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com www.letstalkdubs.com
Has the VW scene gotten stock? Are we seeing a lot of the same cars being featured at the shows focused on stock paint stock engines wheels lowered? Does it seem like people are more focused on keeping cars stock colors than doing custom. Are people building cars within guidelines of keeping it as close to vintage and original and resell Abel? On this episode, Bill takes a deep dive and we walk through his opinion of the evolution of the hobby since the early 80s. The different styles that have been prominent and where he sees a majority of the scene building cars. All of this to lead up with decisions made during the build process of Zorba the Ghia, if you think you've got an opposing opinion, feel free to email me at bill@let’stalkdubs.com www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine https://www.twitch.tv/djricoradio
Damon Harmon name should be familiar if you've followed Volkswagen Drag racing. He was the dirver for Quarter Toy 1, 2 & now 3. He loves racing so much he even had campained 2 cars at once. He seems not be able to get enough. He held the record until it was taken by Pat Downs, but He holds the best MPH record 5.99 @117mph (Pat Downs holds the ET record at 5.90 @116mph) this podcast took place at European Buggin in 2024 in the pits of Max speed Carmenia. That's where I met Damon in Belgium in the drag pits as he was pitting for a fellow drag racer. If that doesn't tell you, the quality of people drag racing I don't know what does. He's got some awesome stories specifically one about Denver where he actually had to push a car across the finish line. We talk about engine building also transaxle building and some of the specifics with regards to building reliable drag cars. He's a great guy and if you get a chance to meet him, you'll be glad you did. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com
On todays Round table. Bill & George discuss Bills European trip. 1500 miles in the Katasrtophenshutz supplied by andy Finch. From Badcamburg, to Wolfsburg, to Chimay for EBI.The expereiance and where to see the videos. We discuss the build of Zorba the Ghia. Some of the details. How the scene is with car builds and what some of the trends are. Check out Georges Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen My Youtube Channel Here www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com
Leif Jørgen Grangård
Inspiration 👍
David Werner
what a great podcast talking to the legends in the VW scene. you hear behind the scene stories and the history of vw. great job!
david ruiz
real talk!