Last of a Driving Breed

The first episode of LOADB since I moved out of Los Angeles. In this episode I discuss the podcast, what I've been doing and it's future. I also discuss the challenges I've faced with building a business in a competitive market. Lastly, I touch on ethanol and ponder a question I'd like your input on.

The Grand American Tour is put on hold as the first week back in the Bus leads to more repairs and a big opportunity for the next build. 

The Grand American Tour - documenting an open ended road trip from Los Angeles to ??? via VW Bus.October 17th, 3 weeks after our initial departure attempt, the Daftfalia has a totally fresh rebuilt engine and we talk about the little sense of magic that went into making this happen as fast as it did. 

The Grand American Tour - documenting an open ended road trip from Los Angeles to ??? via VW Bus. September 28th, all the I's are dotted, the T's are crossed, every imaginable check performed to make sure  the Daftfalia is ready for the Grand American Tour and the road trip starts off with smashed spark plugs, metal in air filter, and a whole new engine rebuild. So far, we've gone -2 miles overall BUT if this adventure is anything like my last one, this is just a speed bump before the trip of a lifetime. Cover Photo credit: C. Connell on Facebook. 

2021 hasn't gone to plan, but that hasn't stopped Brendon from quitting his job. This episode is a quickie, covering the new direction for this podcast and covering an adventure that started with a camp and ended at the Mexican border. 

Dave Cormack is the former tech editor of VW Trends Magazine, Dune Buggies and Hot VWs Magazine, and of VolksAmerica Magazine.  Dave's history in the VW scene from his first time racing (and losing) to Darrel Vittone in the famed Inch Pincher, to being schooled by Gene Berg, to being banned from Irwindale Speedway for an epic cover photo opportunity is retold in this first part, covering just some of the wild rides of a VW Journalist. 

Dave Cormack is the former tech editor of VW Trends Magazine, Dune Buggies and Hot VWs Magazine, and of VolksAmerica Magazine.  Dave's history in the VW scene from his first time racing (and losing) to Darrel Vittone in the famed Inch Pincher, to being schooled by Gene Berg, to being banned from Irwindale Speedway for an epic cover photo opportunity is retold in this first part, covering just some of the wild rides of a VW Journalist. 

Ben Chavez is the owner of a daily driver 1993 Chevy S-10 and a project Mitsubishi Starion, but this episode takes a look at his previous career as a photojournalist for the once upon a time website OMGDrift and how this podcast likely wouldn't exist if it weren't for him taking Brendon on some great trips for the website. 

After a rollercoaster of a year, LOADB is excited to bring the feel good story of the year with Team Lucas, the Kusak family and friend Clayton met up with LOADB on a VW road trip to Oklahoma City. Rick Kusak is the owner of several air cooled Volkswagens but one very special Bus in particular that came to him in light of his newborn son Lucas, who needs a wheelchair and how Rick and his family came to acquire their wheelchair accessible VW Bus with the outpouring of support of the wider Volkswagen community. Clayton Capps, Rick's friend, is also the owner of several Volkswagens including "Million Mile Herbie", a 1963 VW Beetle decked out like the Love Bug that he has documented 1,000,000 miles of driving with (and an extra 20,000 miles just in the last few months!). Thank you to our friend Dustin for hosting LOADB in his garage for this episode!Audio Note: due to equipment issues this episode was recorded directly on the LOADB laptop rather than through microphones. Headphones are recommended. 

To some, the art piece is the art. To others, the art is how the piece came to be. And Markos Markakis demonstrates how art is the evolution of expression with his 1965 VW Beetle that started as a free gift to his brother as young adults. The story of his bug is far from over, but on this episode he tells the stories of how through fires, tossed wheels, junkyard engines, and countless paint jobs his Volkswagen went from his young adult hot rod project in the late 90s to a future gift to his daughter as a truly one of a kind ride, pinstripes and shark teeth and all. 

The GMC Syclone, Ian argues, is the American answer to Japan's GTR. In Part 2 of our sit down, Ian talks about his experience with his Audi A6, why he bought his Quadrasteer Suburban, and what it's like to have a "project plane" to live in and then come home to his daily driver, the GMC Syclone. 

This one was a long time coming. Ian has been a kind of internet friend of mine for a decade; knowing each other from a certain car related image board of Japanese influence. Finally, we got to sit down while he was on a cross-country road trip to buy a specific kind of Chevy Suburban with Quadra-steer, but this episode covers each of his drivers from a GMC Syclone to his assortment of Toyotas, Hondas, and Mazdas. 

This episode is a solo one. After consulting the LOADB Facebook discussion group and announcing that Mark has stepped back from the podcast officially to focus on his new job, Brendon moved ahead will filling in a gap in episodes with 3 stories. This episode features The $400 Comanche, the story of the best truck that one could buy for less than a video game console. My first drive in a 911, and how it changed Brendon's understanding of driving fast forever. And finally, Panelgon Camping, and how cars can serve as a focus for family. Panelgon Camping is accompanied by "The Great Unknown", a song written by The Roman from Regular Car Reviews, with his full and explicit permission. Full credit about the song belongs to him, but it hit too close to home with Brendon and it simply had to be included in what it means to make Dads proud. You can find the song here - https://theromanrcr.bandcamp.com/track/the-great-unknown 

Conclusion to The Westmoreland Wagen

In Part 2 of The Girl Next Door, Brendon and our guest George discuss building engines and get into stories of V10 powered Dodge Rams. We also discuss our predictions for what cars already on the market will become the next collectible classics. George also gives his answer to the question, what makes a classic car? 

George Davis III is a mechanic for the Los Angeles Fire Department and owner of a very high mileage BMW for a commute car. But on this episode of LOADB, Brendon and George talk about racing Mustangs, how to beat speeding tickets, what it's like working for Jonathon Ward at ICON, the impact of a certain famous RX-7 youtube video, and so much more. Part 1 of our first 2-episode discussion about what life is like with The Girl Next Door, George's 1991 BMW 325i Join our Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/250199026198030/

Introducing Mark Sakurado, the TEQ tattoo sporting Toyota for Life. He joins Brendon as co-hosts for this episode of The Last of a Driving Breed with Alex. Alex tells the story of how he acquired his daily driver, which might be one of the cleanest 1988 Toyota Land Cruisers in California. 

For the inaugural episode of the LOADB Podcast, Brendon sits down with Cliff Crate, the eccentric San Fernando Valley resident with 21 air cooled Volkswagens, several of which he drives regularly. We discuss his history with the formation of what became the Vintage VW Club of America, his time with early VW scenesters, the jewels of his collection, and more. 

The conclusion to Performance Garbage, Markos continues to tell the stories of building his 1965 Beetle, breaking it, and rebuilding it as he reminisces on young adulthood when he first started with Volkswagens, and offers advice for his daughter when she inevitably gets the 'Buzz Bomb'. 

This week (and next) will be centered on Instagram user @Tonyseizes. Tony drives this excellent 1981 diesel VW Rabbit that hails from the short lived Pennsylvania Volkswagen factory and he got it for a steal. Check it out and be sure to listen as he and Brendon talk about what it's like to be into VWs at age 30