Lets Talk Dubs Classic The Classic VW podcast

Bill Tsagrinos
  • 4.9 (320)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Weekly

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. 20h ago

    Ep 361 Tony Moreci his 54 bug Crashed at Samoa

    What started as a great weekend at the drag strip quickly turned into a moment no racer ever wants to experience. Longtime Volkswagen enthusiast and drag racer Tony Moreci joins us to share the story behind the crash that damaged his iconic 1954 Ragtop Beetle during a recent racing event. Tony has spent decades behind the wheel of this legendary Oval-window Beetle, campaigning it at tracks across the country and earning respect throughout the vintage Volkswagen drag racing community. In this episode, we break down exactly what happened on race day, the sequence of events leading up to the accident, and the emotions that follow when years of hard work and history are suddenly put at risk in a matter of seconds. Beyond the crash itself, we take a look into the history of Tony's '54 Ragtop—its evolution from a classic street car into a well-known drag racing machine—and the memories attached to a car that has become part of his identity. We also reflect on our longtime friendship, the experiences we've shared over the years, and our connection through the legendary DBK Car Club. This conversation isn't just about bent sheet metal and damaged parts. It's about perseverance, friendship, the risks that come with motorsports, and the passion that keeps racers coming back to the starting line. Whether you're a Volkswagen drag racing fan, a vintage VW enthusiast, or simply appreciate the stories behind the people and cars that shape our hobby, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    44 min

  2. May 22

    Ep 360 Bill & George Roundtable

    On this episode, Bill and George catch up on projects that they're currently working on. George is in the shop busy working on a 21 window Bus super Beatles and producing videos for his YouTube channel. Bill talks about the existing status of his projects plus Pookie's dream what's happening with that and One craLuft Ziegen Car Show Registrationzy weekend talk the weekend with the off-road ride to Goode Springs Nevada. Bill also shares his story about getting car jacked with his close friend Mark D back in the early 90s in South Central Los Angeles. Lots of fun stuff don't miss it.. www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com    https://type-emotorsports.com/collections/featured-collection/products/icon-forged-piston-set-aircooled-vw

    1h 15m

  3. May 15

    EP 359 Bill Talks summer events, Magazine & Old VW inventions.

    On this episode Bill reviews the latest shows coming up for this summer in the never-ending SoCal weekend festival of shows throughout the entire summer. Lol I talk about the shows I will be at which is gonna be Luft Zegen and also Empy 70th anniversary happening June 20th. Also discuss the passing of Takashi Komori of Flat 4, Japan. I didn't get a chance to mention before I finish the recording the passing of legend Fred Simpson from performance technologies I'd like to get some people on to do a special podcast just for him. Also, I discuss some of the unique features you could find and some of the early issues of the magazine and some wild inventions, which will be a new feature coming up. also couple magazine reviews   ICON pistons www.VWtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use disocount code LTD10 for 10% off any purchase ar Ross Wulf

    46 min

  4. May 1

    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

  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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

  8. 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
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4.9
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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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