Lets Talk Dubs Classic The Classic VW podcast

On 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.   www.letstalkdubs.com ICON pistons  

Sewfine Interiors has been a cornerstone in the Volkswagen community since 1983, building a reputation as one of the premier upholstery and interior shops for classic VWs. Known for their award-winning craftsmanship, Sewfine has had their interiors featured in high-end show cars, concours-level restorations, and even on the hit TV series Bitchin’ Rides. Now based in Denver, Colorado, the new generation of Sewfine owners continues the tradition of excellence—specializing in factory-style VW upholstery, OEM-quality restorations, and full custom interior design for air-cooled Volkswagens, hot rods, and beyond. Whether you’re restoring a vintage Beetle, slamming a Bay Window Bus, or building a one-of-a-kind Cal-Look Bug, Sewfine can bring your vision to life with unmatched attention to detail. In this episode, Logan from Sewfine shares their process, from custom fabric matching and stitching to modern upgrades that blend seamlessly with classic Volkswagen style. If you’re looking to restore your VW interior or create a show-stopping custom look, Sewfine is the shop that Volkswagen enthusiasts around the world turn to. We’re proud to have Sewfine as a sponsor of the 80s Car Display at this year’s One Crazy Weekend VW Show in Las Vegas. Come by, meet the Sewfine crew, and see their craftsmanship up close.   https://sewfineproducts.com/Home www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com www.letstlakdubs.com  

The Bay Window Volkswagen Bus — affectionately (and sometimes not so affectionately) known as the Fat Chick, Late Model, Round Window, or Big Boy — covers the iconic 1968–1979 VW Bus era. It was the successor to the legendary split-window Bus, made famous on TV shows like Eight Is Enough, and while some purists dismissed it at first, others saw its potential and fell in love. In this episode, we look into the culture, history, and revival of these late-model Type 2 buses with Craig Gonzales (AKA Bay Window Mafia)  a true champion of the Bay Window scene. Craig’s passion for slammed, stylish late bays led him to create an Instagram page that exploded almost overnight, feeding the community’s hunger for photos, inspiration, and connection. He’s especially fond of early bays (1968–1971) — from high-roof postals to deluxe models — but appreciates every version in the lineup. We break down the key differences between early, mid, and late bay windows, explore their evolution, and talk about how Craig puts his own spin on styling them. Whether it’s cruising into a split-bus-heavy show and turning heads, or highlighting the unique character of the 68–79 VW Bus, Craig proves that bay windows are every bit as cool as their predecessors. If you’re a vintage Volkswagen enthusiast, a classic VW bus collector, or just curious about the growing new generation of bay window fans, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and plenty of VW bus love.   Check out Craigs Socials Here www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com Use code LTD10 for 10%off Buy ICON pistons here  https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com  

If you’re restoring a classic Volkswagen, chances are you’ve thought about the details that make your VW truly authentic – and few details matter more than a properly restored speedometer. Steve Burdett is one of the most interesting craftsmen in the hobby today. With a background in shaping fiberglass and building custom surfboards, Steve has always had a gift for creating things by hand. When the surfboard industry began to slow, he turned his skills toward another passion – vintage vehicles. Having restored Vespas and Lambretta scooters, Steve’s love for mechanical artistry eventually brought him back to his first automotive love: Volkswagens. After buying back his original Super Beetle from his brother, Steve began rebuilding VW speedometers, combining precision craftsmanship with a deep passion for the hobby. Today, through his business SpeedoKing.com, he offers expert speedometer restoration, repair, and customization for classic Volkswagen Beetles, Buses, Karmann Ghias, and more. In this episode, we dive into the world of VW speedometer restoration – from common issues to watch for, to performance upgrades, custom faces, and personalized touches that make your dash stand out. Whether you’re restoring a split-window Beetle, a ’60s Bus, or a Type 3, Steve shares insider tips and stories that only come from years of hands-on experience. If you care about authenticity, craftsmanship, and working with someone who truly loves the Volkswagen hobby, this episode is a must-listen. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com Use code LTD10 for 10%off Buy ICON pistons here 

On this episode, Bill and George discuss last several videos that George put out as well as the four shows that Bill went to little bit. Americna Cal-LOOK caravan, DKP reunion & EMPI History Tour with Dena Kirsten. Plus some projects in the work and a little bit of talk about electric AC on a Volkswagen.  Another round table for you guys to enjoy. Enjoy.   www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.russwulf.com use LTD10 for 10% off your order ICON pistons here   https://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkdubspodcast

In this episode, we dive into the story behind Discipline Child — a wildly custom 1955 Volkswagen Beetle owned by Cali Springer, originally from the Virgin Islands. What began as a simple inquiry about fuel injection turned into a one-of-a-kind build by Alvin Lawrence of Auto Fanatic, also hailing from the islands. This isn’t your typical classic VW Beetle. Discipline Child features a Subaru engine swap, full air suspension, electric air conditioning sourced from a Tesla, and a top-tier custom sound system. The level of craftsmanship and attention to detail reflects the dedication and discipline it took to see this project through to the end. From the island roots to the custom Budnik wheels, this car blends old-school air-cooled Volkswagen soul with cutting-edge modern tech — and it’s all done in true island style. If you’re passionate about vintage VWs, air-cooled culture, and radical custom builds, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Cali Springer is also the promoter for the VI bug out. We also take some time to discuss the VI bug out! An insane Vw show that takes place in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Happening this year 2025 December 28 through January 1. We'll bring you more information soon.    https://www.instagram.com/autofanatik/ www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com.   www.rosswulf.com use code LTD10 to get 10% off your puchase

In this episode, we sit down with Rick Wright, owner of The Wright Gearbox, a name synonymous with precision-built transmissions in the off-road and high-performance VW world. Growing up wrenching in his family’s VW shop, Rick turned childhood passion into a powerhouse business dedicated to building and rebuilding transmissions for street, strip, sand, and race. Rick shares his journey in the VW industry , and how years of hands-on experience and customer-first philosophy help him deliver bulletproof gearboxes that stand up to serious abuse. We get into everything from working with major manufacturers on product development to testing gear sets with top race teams. Plus, Rick breaks down what sets The Wright Gearbox apart—whether it's magnafluxing every part, custom finishes, or dialing in the perfect gear ratio. And if you’ve been to a Southern California VW show lately, chances are you’ve seen one of Rick’s personal builds—a world-class VW Crew Cab pickup. Sitting on air suspension and powered by a fuel-injected 2332cc engine, it’s built for both style and speed—thanks to a custom transaxle engineered for top-end performance. This head-turning build has already taken home multiple Best of Show awards and is a rolling showcase of the craftsmanship Rick and his team bring to every project. If you're into Volkswagens, sand rails, or off-road competition, this one’s for you.   www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use code LTD 10 For 10%off your order ICON PISTONS HERE    

Being a Volkswagen Bus enthusiast is a challenge—but being a classic VW Bus guy in Canada is a whole different story. With harsh winters, salted roads, and constant snow and ice, early VW Buses are rare survivors in the north. But every now and then, someone gets lucky. In this episode, we sit down with AJ Welsh, a true OG in the Canadian air-cooled VW scene and a proud member of the Four Stack Mafia. AJ shares the incredible story behind his 1967 VW Bus, which became so iconic it was featured on a Canadian postcard and postage stamp. If you've ever seen a Volkswagen Bus on Canadian mail, chances are—it was his. We also dive into the wild backstory of his latest project, a 1955 VW Kombi Bus with suicide doors and retro 1980s scallop paint. First spotted on Vancouver Island in 1987, the Bus went from a local treasure to a touring band’s rig, before AJ finally tracked it down decades later. AJ also tells us how the Four Stack Mafia got started and gives a preview of their epic Niagara Falls VW Campout, a pre-show event leading into the Niagara Falls VW Show & Social. If you're into air-cooled Volkswagens, Split-Window Buses, and vintage VW culture in Canada, this is an episode you don't want to miss.   www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use code LTD10 for 10% off https://www.youtube.com/@the_Wagen https://www.youtube.com/@letstalkdubspodcast Buy ICON Pistons here Watch Bullrun here!

What does NASA Volkswagens have in common Joe Varga. Known as Carbon Joe on Instagram Joe Vargas spent the last 16 years working on project X 37B with Boeing an unmanned working in Aerospace most of his life gave him a skill set of problem-solving up against just about anything. In the early 2000s of friends brother ask him to make some carbon fiber parts for his friends Drag bug. From then it's been on Joe's first car he still owns to thi this day. And he enjoys driving his super beetle convertible. With the goal of completing a German look ride soon he's totally into it. On this podcast, we talk about a lot about carbon fiber technology what is the difference between vacuum bagged with a clave without a clave auto clave this clave and every other type of clave. It's great to talk to someone knowledgeable about this type of process. That's also an enthusiast so there's lots of good information content if you're thinking about carbon fiber parts. Joe makes them on a specialty basis only remember, he's retired, but he can probably help you save some weight on that racing Volkswagen that you have. Enjoy.  www.letstalkdubs.com www.rosswulf.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com buy ICON pistons here

Eric Justus grew up in Southern California, the son of a VW enthusiast Bill Justus. Bill was known for putting on some of the VW panic events in the mid 90s. Eric grew up with that as a foundation. Moving onto Street cars he obtained Type 34 ghia he decided he was going to make it a drag car. It was quite infamous in the early days as it was at Carlsbad Raceway quite a bit drag racing and he had that big type three moving pretty quick. After he sold it he took a step back for a little bit to fool around with some hot rods before jumping back into his 1955 window is incredibly detailed really fast. You can tell once you spot the kirkey seats that this thing is all business. We cover quite a few topics and it's more of a Freeform conversation in the middle but it's a great podcast. I know you'll love it. Enjoy.    www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com Check out ICON Pistons here

This week is a short podcast while Im out in southern California. The DKP 60th anniversary &  Hot VWs 50th Anniversary of the Cal-Look Edition. I was able to check out the the Schley Museum. I give you a very short inrtoduction in to the Schley Brothers hsitory.  www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use code LTD10 to receive 10% off on all purchase at Ross Wulf ICON pistons HERE

In this episode, I’m joined by Lee Bushaw and Joey Girodano from Workstat Restoration to break down everything that went down during VW Revival Weekend in Southern California. After seeing the buzz all over Facebook, I knew I had to get these guys on the mic to recap the multiple Volkswagen events that made the weekend one for the books. We kick things off with the legendary DKK (Der Kleiner Kampfwagens) Cruise Night on Friday, then dive into the Saturday coin toss: do you hit OCTO Bus Meet in Long Beach, or the **Rare Vintage Air Concours d’Elegance in Huntington Beach? We talk about who went where and why, plus the vibes at the ISP West Open House on Saturday afternoon. Finally, we dig into Sunday’s debut of the VW Revival Show—an event aiming to bring back the classic VW show weekend energy. Did it live up to the hype? Was it the spark the scene needed? Tune in as we talk split-window buses, slammed Ghias, show politics, and the future of classic Volkswagen events. --- Would you like a shorter version for podcast platforms that have character limits (like Spotify or Apple Podcasts)? www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com         use Code LTD10 for 10% off your order www.thewagen.com  

In the world of classic VW technology, innovation often comes from the enthusiasts—not the factory. That’s exactly the case with Andrig Miller of Andrig’s Air Cooled Technology, who took it upon himself to improve one of the most overlooked components in air-cooled Volkswagen engines: the cooling fan. In this episode of Let’s Talk Dubs, we dive deep into the development of a new **high-efficiency VW cooling fan** engineered for lower drag and increased airflow at low RPM. We cover how Andrig tackled the age-old challenge of VW fan efficiency, the science behind airflow and thermal management, and the process of prototyping and testing to meet performance goals. If you're passionate about air-cooled VW engine performance upgrades, cooling system innovation, or just love hearing how modern tech is pushing vintage VWs forward, this one’s for you.   www.letstalkdubs.com www.rosswulf.com Use Discount code LTD10 for 10% off on your purchase on Rosswulf website. www.vwtrendsmagazine.com BUY ICON PISTONS HERE  

  Mike Gleckler hails from Carmichael California. A lifelong VW enthusuest. He first got into Volkswagens at the age of 15. His Instagram handle is @vintage_volkswagens has over 3800 posts and 44.6K followers. Check out his IG for some cool vintage Volkswagne content. On this episode we talk about his bus collection. His 1967 Deluxe Bus and the story behind it. Also his 1954 Barndoor  era Single cab pick up. His 1967 HighRoof "Clinomobil". He has an afinnity for Highroofs by the way he ownes 2 of them. And his 1965 Highroof his dad cruises.  We also discuss his instagram page and how its helped him connect with other VW enthusiests around the world.    www.letstlakdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com   use Code LTD10 for a discount Buy Icon Pistons here  

Its been a crazy few weeks in the VW scene. The celebration of life for Bob Lacost at the Canyon RV park was disrupted by a shooting. An argument turns into a person with mental health issues, he runs his truck into some people, then gets out of his truck and starts firing off 10 rounds and hits 2 people. We play the news report. The sad passing of VW family, Stanley Ford and we tell you about when the celebration of life will take place.  He will be missed. Then the Anaheim Hills Murder suicide of Marco and Allison Gurrero. Its been a crazy couple of weeks. If your troubled with mental health issues PLEASE GET SOME HELP. Life is too precious to lose. We also discuss what George is working on at the shop and much more. Enjoy www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use LTD10 for 10% off your purchase   https://ktla.com/news/local-news/gunfire-erupts-at-park-in-orange-county-3-people-hospitalized/ https://abc7.com/post/orange-county-sheriffs-deputies-responding-reported-shooting-featherly-regional-park-yorba-linda/16323682/   https://ktla.com/news/local-news/2-found-dead-in-in-apparent-murder-suicide-in-anaheim-hills/ Jamie Benn Go Fund Me Leon Zoltzman GO Fund Me https://sewfineproducts.com https://www.westcoastmetric.com  

Gerald Klaus: From German Roots to High-Performance Innovation Born in Germany and raised in the world of Volkswagens, Gerald Klaus grew up under the influence of his father, Rolf Klaus—a respected VW performance builder and parts manufacturer. With a split-window Beetle in the garage and a legacy of tuning engines for German enthusiasts, Gerald's path was set early. Armed with a degree in metallurgy and hands-on experience in industrial foundries, Gerald combined his technical expertise with his lifelong passion for Volkswagens to take on an ambitious challenge: designing and manufacturing his own performance cylinder heads. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Type 4 performance, exploring the science behind metallurgy, cooling, and airflow—and how Gerald's innovative designs address the shortcomings of traditional heads. Whether you're a hardcore VW builder or just love stories of passion meeting engineering, this episode is packed with insights into what makes a great performance head—and the dedication it takes to create one from scratch. www.rosswulf.com use code LTD10 for 10% off parts www.vwtrendsmagazine.com ICON pistons here. www.letstalkdubs.com Go Fund me for shooting victim Jamie Benn  

This is the story of a guy who just wanted his bug restored. Wayne Callahan bought a 1968 Beetle brand new and had that car still to this day after years of it sitting in storage and he wanted to find a good restoration shop. he talked to a few people and ended up taking it down to Type One Restoration  in Tempe Arizona. With his mindset, determined to do his bug back to all original, so he could just cruise it around and enjoy it. Things took a turn when Wayne spent a day at the grand national roadster show and saw in one building some of the most iconic Volkswagens ever built. From that moment forward, Wayne knew he needed a really cool hot Rod VW.  luckily he picked the right shop to begin with Type One Restorations does some of them sophisticated modifications to Volkswagens that  cross platforms with hot rods and Volkswagens and really bridges the gap to build some very unique cars. Buddy & his team over there knocked it completely out of the park they went from a zenith Blue to a custom mix of an Azure blue split window color changing it from a 68 visually to making you question what year it is the custom touches in and out of this Beetle are completely over the top. It was a few year process to get it back but well worth the wait! Now Wayne has his brand new beetle back in his hands and it's cooler and better than anything he's ever had in his life. Talk about the best way to pay tribute and restore, a car that means so much to you. It's a great story and it's an unbelievable car.  https://www.instagram.com/typeonerestorations/ www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com www.thewagen.com www.letstalkdubs.com Buy ICON pistons here One Crazy Weekend Registration here.

On this episode I am under the weather but I break down for you the big window Beatles from 1958 to 1967. The main differences we start by breaking them down in the three categories 58 to 1961 1962 to 1964 and the third category 1965 to 1967. We discussed the details and differences between these. It's a short one this week but a lot of information. I hope you enjoy it. 

Nicole Johnson has a lot of Motorsports experience and she's got an excellent YouTube channel called Nicole Johnson's detour. You probably have seen one of the videos her most popular is a 500 horse powered Subaru sleeper Bug. That video, her first one has over 10 million views. Since then she's built a Youtube channel where she seeks out unique cars to feature on her show, her motto is "I wanna drive everything". Last week (if you subscribed her channel parentheses which you should), you would've seen Zorba the Ghia featured on Nicole Johnson's Detour. My 1964 type 34 Karmann Ghia. This week we talked to Nicole and get all of her history. She actually raced 1600cc cars at one time. We talk about the process it takes to film the videos the way she looks for cars and trying to build a unique channel on YouTube. Lots of cool talk and if you're interested automotive shows this is a great one to listen to. Nicole also is known for her racing monster trucks for monster jam. She was a driver for the Scooby Doo monster truck. With a long history and rock, crawling, and offloading how she got selected to do that was pretty awesome.  Go subscribe to her YouTube channel today it's worth it. Nicole Johnson, Monster Truck Pilot, King of the hammers winner, Car lover & youtuber   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7UWVupqQ_U https://vwtrendsmagazine.com https://rosswulf.com ICON pistons here My Youtube Georges Hot to VW Videos

Jason Lindquist hales out of the northern California area. He's known for preserving and finding low mileage original Volkswagens, that's his passion. For other people he does restorations and preservations for them as well. Several Volkswagens he's built have been displayed throughout other peoples collections. When it comes to getting down to the details, that's where Jason really comes to the table. His attention to detail and understanding of midyear changes at Volkswagen from seats, seam locations to switches, knobs, heater vents, and all of the details in between he really drills down on the differences year by year and even midyear changes of just about any year of classic Volkswagen on this episode, we geek out a little bit and start splitting hairs on some of the differences in the 60s vehicles in them of thems. It's a great lesson if you're a geek and you like Volkswagen detail stuff this is your podcast.    www.letstalkdubs.com www.rosswulf.com www.vwtrends.com Get ICON pistons HERE