Lets Talk Dubs Classic The Classic VW podcast

Bill Tsagrinos
  • 4.9 (319)
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The classic Volkswagen podcast committed to the history of the hobby. The people that made it what it is today. Uncovering history from the early days of the aftermarket Volkswagen hobby

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep 358 Rick Sadler & his Type 4 racing history.

    Rick Sadler is one of those names you may not always hear first—but if you've been around the vintage Volkswagen scene long enough, you've definitely seen him. A member of the legendary Der Kleiner Panzers (DKP), Rick is what you'd call the Forrest Gump of the VW world—always there, always involved, and somehow part of some of the most iconic moments in VW history. In this episode, Rick takes us  into his journey through the Type 4 performance scene—a path far less traveled when most builders were focused on Type 1 engines. From his early days racing at Ascot Park Speedway to pushing the limits in drag racing, Rick shares the evolution of his builds, including custom cylinder head development, experimental setups, and the relentless pursuit of horsepower. One of the highlights of Rick's story is living out a dream that most VW enthusiasts only imagine—getting the opportunity to rebuild the engine for the legendary Schley Brothers' Type 4 dragster. It's a full-circle moment that perfectly captures the passion, persistence, and community that define the VW scene. This episode is packed with history, innovation, and firsthand insight into what it really takes to go against the grain and develop serious performance from a Type 4 platform. If you're into vintage Volkswagen racing, engine development, or just love hearing stories from the guys who were there, this is one you don't want to miss.

    1 hr

  2. APR 28

    Ep 357 The Big Super charger Kit from Rababak performance

    Supercharging a classic Volkswagen isn't a new idea—it's been around since the 1960s—but today's technology is taking air-cooled performance to a whole new level. With the rise of modern kits like the AMR500, more VW enthusiasts are exploring forced induction as a serious upgrade for their street and performance builds. In this episode of Let's Talk Dubs, we welcome back Ron and Kevin Trewhella from Rababak Performance to break down their latest innovation—the all-new MK supercharger kit. Designed specifically for larger displacement air-cooled VW engines like 2276cc, 2332cc, and 2.2L+ builds, this system is built for real, usable power. We're talking dyno-proven numbers pushing up to 240 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque at just 3000 RPM—the kind of low-end torque you can actually feel on the street. We get into the development process behind the MK kit, what makes it different from smaller AMR500 setups, and what engine combinations work best to maximize performance and reliability. Whether you're building a street-driven Volkswagen, a weekend warrior, or just curious about bolt-on supercharger kits for air-cooled VWs, this episode is packed with insight straight from the source. If you're into supercharged VW engines, air-cooled performance upgrades, Volkswagen engine builds, or forced induction setups for classic Beetles and buses, this is one you don't want to miss.

    1h 15m
  3. Ep 356 Dino Mendoza Real Street Race Director

    APR 17

    Ep 356 Dino Mendoza Real Street Race Director

    What does it really take to build a true street Volkswagen that can survive the cruise… and then go heads-up on the drag strip? On this episode of Let's Talk Dubs, we sit down with Dino Mendoza — one of the driving forces behind the VW Real Street racing scene — to break down one of the most exciting and authentic forms of air-cooled Volkswagen drag racing happening today. Dino gives us an inside look at how Real Street VW racing was built from the ground up, what separates it from traditional bracket racing, and why the rules—pump gas, all motor, carbureted, and mandatory street cruise—are what make this class so competitive and respected. We dive deep into: The origins and evolution of VW Real Street racing What it takes to build a fast, reliable air-cooled VW drag car Why "real street" means more than just a name Engine combinations, tuning strategies, and common mistakes The difference between heads-up drag racing vs bracket racing Stories from the track and the people pushing the limits of street-driven Volkswagens If you're into classic Volkswagen performance, VW drag racing, air-cooled engine builds, or street-driven race cars, this episode is packed with real-world knowledge straight from someone shaping the scene. Whether you're building your own VW or just love the culture, this is one you don't want to miss.

    1h 25m
  4. Ep 355 Lyle Cherry pt 1 Interview by Dean Kirsten 2012

    APR 10

    Ep 355 Lyle Cherry pt 1 Interview by Dean Kirsten 2012

    One of my favorite parts of doing this podcast is preserving the history of the Volkswagen scene—and sometimes, that history shows up in ways you don't expect. While catching up with my friend Dean Kirsten, I was blown away to learn he had a collection of long-form digital interviews he recorded back in the early 2000s for Hot VWs Magazine. These weren't just quick quotes for print—they were deep, unfiltered conversations with some of the most influential figures in the VW world. What you're about to hear is Part One of a two-part series from one of those interviews—originally conducted for Lyle Cherry's feature article in the January 2013 issue of Hot VWs. And let me tell you—this is where long-form really shines. In a magazine, you're limited by page space and word count. But in a conversation like this, you get the full story—the details, the personality, the behind-the-scenes moments that never make it into print. Lyle Cherry was a true force in Volkswagen drag racing for over 40 years, representing Richland Hills, Texas, and a whole crew of racers who were pushing the limits of performance. The Texas scene wasn't just competitive—it was innovative. These guys were building fast cars and forcing the West Coast to step up their game. So as you listen, pay attention. You'll hear the roots of a lot of the technology and development that shaped VW drag racing—and a lot of it came straight out of Texas.

    50 min

  5. APR 4

    Ep 354 Super Beetles Only John List

    Super Beetles have long been one of the most misunderstood—and often underappreciated—air-cooled Volkswagens here in the United States. But if you look across the pond, or even dig into certain corners of the hardcore VW scene, the story is completely different. Built from 1971 to 1977, the Super Beetle was actually Volkswagen's most advanced evolution of the classic Beetle platform. With its MacPherson strut front suspension, improved handling, and increased comfort, it marked a major leap forward in performance and drivability. Yet despite those advancements, it never quite earned the respect it deserved in the U.S.—while in Europe, it's celebrated, raced, and even has its own dedicated series: the Kafer Cup. On this episode, we sit down with John List, one of the original founders of SuperBeetlesOnly.com, to dive deep into what makes the Super Beetle special. We talk about the platform's untapped potential, the best performance upgrades, and how parts from other Volkswagen and Porsche models can be adapted to take these cars to the next level. If you're into German Look Beetles, suspension tuning, or just want to understand why the Super Beetle might be the most overlooked performance VW out there—this episode is packed with insight, real-world experience, and inspiration to rethink everything you thought you knew about the Super.

    1h 34m
  6. Ep 353 about time Inc. oil filler adapter inventor Kent Wallace

    MAR 20

    Ep 353 about time Inc. oil filler adapter inventor Kent Wallace

    He's not dead… and neither is true VW innovation. In the world of classic Volkswagens, creativity has always been part of the DNA. From backyard builders to full-blown innovators, the VW scene thrives on people who see a problem—and build something better. That's exactly what happened with Kent Wallace and Dave Patten. Frustrated with the messy, outdated process of filling oil in their VW engines, these two enthusiasts set out to solve a problem we've all dealt with. What came out of it? A simple but brilliant oil fill adapter that changed the game. Originally selling for just $19, this clever piece has since skyrocketed—fetching over $300 on the secondary market. In this episode, we dive into: The early inspiration rooted in Las Vegas off-road racing The journey from idea to product development The challenges of manufacturing and bringing a part to market And the real question… what happened next? Did it become a lasting success—or did something come along that killed it? This is more than just a part… it's the story of the VW inventor mindset.

    1h 14m
  7. Ep 352 Rick Hunt VW Carb Rebuilding

    MAR 14

    Ep 352 Rick Hunt VW Carb Rebuilding

    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 models, common mistakes people make when selecting carbs, and what information you should provide when sending your carburetors in for a rebuild. The more details you give, the better the end result when you receive those freshly rebuilt Webers back. If you've ever wondered which carburetor setup is right for your VW—or how to get the most performance and drivability out of your dual carbs—this episode is packed with practical tips and real-world knowledge from someone who's been doing it for nearly 40 years.   Heres a link to one of Georges videos on Syncronizig carburators https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f5E1oZyajw&t=26s

    1h 10m

  8. MAR 6

    Ep 351 Roundtable Bill Buys a Sport Bug 2026 show talk

    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 conversation for a round-table discussion, along with updates on a few projects currently in the works. If you're into air-cooled VW Beetles, special edition Volkswagens, and the stories behind the cars, this is a fun one you won't want to miss.

    47 min
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The classic Volkswagen podcast committed to the history of the hobby. The people that made it what it is today. Uncovering history from the early days of the aftermarket Volkswagen hobby

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