Let’s Talk Dubs Bill Tsagrinos

John Maher is known to some people as the drummer for the early punk rock band the Buzzcocks. Starting in a punk band in the beginning of the punk rock era is pretty legendary. He also happen to be at the same place in the UK in the early days of when Volkswagen dragracing started to takeoff. John, after being in a band had an engine mishap (done by another shop) started repairing Volkswagens and soon after started rebuilding engines. His competition started at his first VW event when he entered the engine pull competition. Soon after he was building competition race engines on to building his first oval window drag car studying the pages of hot VW's magazine to see what was happening in the US. On this podcast you'll hear a lot about the early days of drag racing in the United Kingdom. Lots of good information and we go over what John's favorite engine build. Why did he move to Isle of Harris and more. Although he's living on the isle of Harris off of Scotland. He still builds engines to this day, so if you're needing an excellent motor built, check him out at johnmarracing.com 
 
https://johnmaherracing.com
www.letstalkdubs.com
www.vwtrendsmagazine.com
www.rosswulf.com
 

Some projects are more extreme than others. When buidling a custom VW, how far do you go? Well, if its an all out project and you team up with illegal speed shop prepare for it to go crazy. This project started as a brainchild of one of their customers that laid dead in another shop for about 10 years. It was put up for sale and when Harrison saw it, he reached out to the owner to talk about the project and he ends up, convincing the owner to bring it to illegal speed shop and get that project finish. Already started on a full frame down the center, they went forward and full tubed the whole car moving the seats back for the driver who 6 foot eight. This thing has it all 400 hp TDI motor. Six speed manual transmission, C6 front brakes and cantilever rear suspension. Harrisons' a hard-core VW guy and we also talk about his 64 Beetleand some of the cool ways that he slammed the living crap out of it and drove it static. Check out their YouTube channel on the link below and give them a follow on Instagram. I believe these guys will be around doing some cool stuff so be on the lookout. 
https://www.illegalspeedshop.com
https://www.youtube.com/@Illegalspeedshop
https://www.instagram.com/illegalspeedshop/
www.letstalkdubs.com
 

Transaxles have always been a shifty subject. With less and less people rebuilding them it seems the world is getting smaller in the world of transaxles. Ben Berniklau is a second generation transactional builder. His father was half owner of one of the largest transaxle rebuilding shops in Riverside. He learned how to build tranny mostly on his own after not listening to his dad and following his heart and being in the VW industry. Working for several different shops and learning how to build transaxles because he was always good with his hands. We always hear their VW stories and we get to hear the trail as how he learned to build trans axles. Now today he's the owner of Benco transaxles in Riverside California. He personally has built hundreds of transmissions over the years. His years of experience in dealing with parts alone give him the insight as to what parts work and what parts don't. With an industry leading five year, unlimited mileage warranty on his trans axles we peel back the layers and a him lots of questions specifically pertaining to your transaxle needs. from diff covers to shift forks bearing covers and axle tube and castings. We talk about it all. What are some of his favorite trans axle combinations for gearing and what he thinks about five speeds. He'll also change your gears for free for the life of your transaxel.
https://bencotransaxles.com
www.letstalkdubs.com
www.rosswulf.com
www.vwtrends.com
George's Youtube channel
LTD Youtube Channel
 
 

Rusty Lee Pickering started in the Volkswagen hobby with a bright pink beetle. He couldn't have been more proud to drive that pink beetle in the early 90s. That led to a succession of different Volkswagens to own and always looking to make friends with other VW enthusiasts. When his neighbors owned buses and he wanted to meet him, an opportunity came where they could use his skill set. After leaving school, he learned to become a welder fabricator. When his new friend needed help with a rock 'n' roll bed, he looked at it and thought he could make a better version. That begins Rusty Lee's rock 'n' roll beds. At first he was just making them to presold orders by word-of-mouth before long. He was missing shows for an entire weekend because he never made it out of the car park from delivering pre-sold rock 'n' roll beds. With the help of a supportive wife who told him to bet on himself, he decided to go full-time and into making rock 'n' roll beds. He now has eight people helping build those beds in their workshop he's never been busier, a hard-core VW enthusiast from the beginning and a love for all things. Volkswagen is clear when you talk to him. Betting on yourself to win. Check out his website below. 
https://www.vwrustylee.com
www.letstalkdubs.com
www.vwtrendsmagazine.com
www.rosswulf.com
www.kompressorhaus.uk
use code LTD for a discount.

Rick Mortensen has been a VW enthusiast for over 50 years. His love started in northern California in the late 60s. Building his first cow look car in the early 70s. He has a love for all things early style col-look.  on this episode we discussed his history moving from Northern California to Phoenix, Arizona. Starting the Phoenix Bug o rama. The original Bug o rama in Sacramento, He used to fill-in when Dyno Don wasn’t available as an announcer. We discuss the varied vehicles that he’s had and his cover car from 1996 Cal-look edition Hot VW‘s magazine. His Chop Top Bug and Numerous other cars he’s had throughout the hobby. Cool stories about driving his 2276 from Arizona to Michigan to the VW factory and his friendship with Gene Berg and much more.

Roundtable! On this podcast, Bill and George discuss YouTube channels, Instagram followers, upcoming events and much much more.
 
Also, Bill finds his Vin number for his original 1963 ragtop beetle that he would like to buy back any help would be much appreciated. 
 
We talk about the problem with, il the VW scene is larger than just southern California. Why do some people not pay attention to that. People that post on Instagram just to be posting. The problem some people have with car shows today. Motivation to build cars where it comes from and what gives cars sentimental value.
 
www.letstalkdubs.com
www.rosswulf.com
www.vwtrendsmagazine.com
www.thewagen.com