Lets Talk Dubs Classic The Classic VW podcast

If you've spent any time watching the popular how-to videos from JBugs, you've probably seen Sam Mebane and his son Nathan working side-by-side, sharing their passion for air-cooled Volkswagens while helping enthusiasts keep their classic VWs on the road. From restoration projects and maintenance tutorials to building Nathan's own Volkswagen, the father-and-son team has become a familiar and trusted source of knowledge for the VW community. In this episode of Let's Talk Dubs, Sam shares a deeply personal story that goes far beyond Volkswagens. From a childhood spent in foster care to discovering purpose, building a successful career, and creating a life on his own terms, Sam's journey is one of perseverance, determination, and faith. His story is a powerful reminder that where you start in life doesn't have to determine where you finish. We also get into the history of JBugs, exploring how the company grew from a small mail-order Volkswagen parts business into one of the most recognized and influential names in the air-cooled VW industry. Sam discusses the evolution of the hobby, the challenges of serving a passionate customer base, and how JBugs has adapted through decades of change while continuing to support Volkswagen enthusiasts around the world. Whether you're a longtime air-cooled Volkswagen owner, a fan of JBugs' instructional videos, or simply enjoy hearing inspiring stories of overcoming adversity and building something meaningful, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Topics Covered Sam Mebane's journey from foster care to entrepreneurship Finding purpose and defining success on your own terms The origins and growth of JBugs The evolution of the air-cooled Volkswagen hobby Creating educational VW how-to content Working alongside family in business Building Nathan's Volkswagen project car The future of the classic Volkswagen aftermarket www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_n1PgUZ4Uw

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.

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

I made it a whole two weeks into the new year without buying a new project… and then I blew it 😆. This episode kicks off with the story of how I ended up with "Pookie's Dream," the iconic VW Trends August 1991 cover car. We touch on what that car meant to the hobby back then and why it still matters today. But the real heart of this episode is The Great Engine Debate. A recent dyno session sparked a massive discussion after comments posted by Ross Wolf revealed an engine that didn't deliver the expected results. What followed was an explosion of opinions—over 65 comments deep—covering engine specs, dyno expectations, real-world performance, and long-standing air-cooled engine-building philosophies. We get deep into the weeds on what numbers really matter, why expectations don't always match results, and how different builders approach power, reliability, and intent. To balance the conversation, we bring in feedback from both sides, including insight from Jared Winton and a direct take from Pat Downs Performance on the topic. This is one of those discussions that never really ends in the VW world—but that's what makes it so good. Grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy another episode of Let's Talk Dubs, where history, opinion, and air-cooled passion collide.

Jake Raby is widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts on the Volkswagen Type 4 engine, with more than 30 years of hands-on experience building, developing, and refining air-cooled Type 4 VW engines. Since the late 1990s, Jake has been deeply involved in Type 4 engine rebuilding, performance development, and long-term reliability testing for platforms used in VW Bus, Porsche 914, and high-performance air-cooled Volkswagen applications. Over the decades, Jake has pushed the limits of the Type 4 air-cooled engine platform, pioneering advancements in cooling systems, cylinder head porting, plenum and intake temperature control, camshaft profiles, and custom internal components. Many of the bespoke Type 4 engine parts used in his builds were designed or commissioned specifically to solve known weaknesses and extract maximum horsepower while maintaining street-driven reliability. What sets Jake apart in the air-cooled Volkswagen Type 4 engine world is his uncompromising work ethic and attention to detail. Every engine is built as a custom, customer-specific Type 4 VW engine, focused on longevity, drivability, and real-world performance—not shortcuts. His mission has always been the advancement of the Type 4 VW hobby, ensuring these engines remain viable, powerful, and dependable decades after their original production. Beyond engine building, Jake has played a major role in Type 4 engine education, offering classes, technical training, and early-2000s instructional videos covering Type 4 engine teardown, inspection, and rebuild processes—resources that helped countless Volkswagen enthusiasts understand and preserve this unique engine platform. That innovation didn't stop with Volkswagen. Jake later applied his engineering mindset to the Porsche flat-six engine world, where he helped develop the widely known intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing solution, along with numerous other reliability upgrades for Porsche engines. This episode is packed with deep technical insight into Volkswagen Type 4 engines, air-cooled performance development, engine reliability, and decades of real-world testing. If you're passionate about VW Type 4 engines, air-cooled Volkswagens, Porsche engineering, or engine development at the highest level, this is an episode you won't want to miss. www.letstalkdubs..com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use code LTD10 for 10% off your order Info for Luft Zeigen here

2025 was a huge year for documenting Volkswagen history—and in this episode, we take a full look back. We review the entire 2025 podcast episode list, breaking down highlights and key moments from nearly every show in case you missed an episode or two along the way. From early Volkswagen drag racing history and legendary builders, to modern VW product development, fresh builds, and stories shaping the hobby today, this year covered it all. With over 50 episodes released, there's a ton of ground to cover. This recap episode ties everything together, revisits standout conversations, and reflects on why preserving and sharing air-cooled Volkswagen history still matters. So sit back, relax, and get a full rundown of the stories, guests, and moments that made 2025 an unforgettable year for the VW community. www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use code LTD10 for 10% off www.ssaircooled.com ICON pistons

The East Coast of Canada is cold, and the car season is short — usually May through October. New Brunswick isn't known as a hotbed for the air-cooled Volkswagen scene, but when the VW bug bites you out there, you're all in. Terry grew up in a drag-racing family, and everything changed the day his father gifted him a convertible Karmann Ghia. That single car sparked a lifelong obsession with all things air-cooled VW. From flat-towing a '67 Beetle over 2,000 miles from Alabama, to drag-racing a Herbie-themed bug, to eventually owning the legendary Save-A-Bugcampaigned by Jack Shacettie — Terry's passion has taken him across the continent. His vacations? They weren't for relaxing — they were spent in Southern California, wrenching in work clothes at Jack's shop just to be part of the action. Now retired from a career in insurance, Terry finally opened a small but official shop in New Brunswick. Not for business — but to help keep his cars and his friends' cars on the road. Terry's collection tells the story of a life dedicated to Volkswagens: "Cinco," his all-original 1955 Beetle, bought with just 25,000 miles. A 1955 Kombi running an SO-42 interior setup. And his driver — a 1950 split window, restored by Dr. Dick Christiansen, which he puts real miles on. So many cars, so many stories, and a lifetime of air-cooled passion from one of Canada's most dedicated VW enthusiasts. This is a great listen — tune in. www.letstalkdubs.com/store www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com BUY ICON Pistons https://www.ssaircooled.com

Social media has become a powerhouse in today's Volkswagen hobby, and if you've spent any time online, you've definitely seen the rise of content creators shaping the air-cooled VW scene. One of the biggest names pushing the culture forward is Chris Davern, better known as @Driven60VW on Instagram. Based in Arizona, Chris has built a massive following of over 100,000 VW enthusiasts by consistently posting high-quality content centered around classic Volkswagens, restoration insights, and the day-to-day life inside the air-cooled community. In many ways, social media has become the new VW magazine, delivering fresh Volkswagen content straight to your phone in real time. This week on the show, we sit down with Chris to talk about his journey into the VW world, what sparked his passion, and how his online presence has evolved over the past five years. Chris brings a ton of positivity to the hobby, and his enthusiasm for vintage Volkswagens truly comes through in his posts, videos, and behind-the-scenes stories. If you're into the air-cooled VW lifestyle—or you want to learn how to grow your own social media following within a niche automotive community—this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for a deep dive into building community, creating consistent content, and keeping the VW hobby fun and thriving. Follo his social https://www.instagram.com/driven60vw/ www.letstalkdubs.com www.vwtrendsmagazine.com www.rosswulf.com use cupom code LTD10 for 10% off BUY ICON PISTONS HERE