"Karma" is the latest ground-breaking creation from Type 1 Restoration — Dennis Troggio's 1955 Lowlight Karmann Ghia that just captured the coveted Al Slonaker Award at the Grand National Roadster Show, the highest honor for non-roadster vehicles at the most prestigious indoor custom car show in the world.

This wasn't their first shot at Slonaker glory.

We get into the second attempt — and how lessons learned from the legendary "Turmoil" split-window Beetle (a build that redefined what was possible in the VW and hot rod world) shaped the philosophy behind Karma. Turmoil raised the bar. Karma shattered it.

The 1955 Lowlight Karmann Ghia is already one of the rarest early production Volkswagens ever built — the very first year of Ghia production. Owner Dennis Troggio was also hands on with this build. But this car goes far beyond restoration. Nearly everything on Karma has been re-engineered, re-imagined, or custom-machined from scratch. The list of untouched parts is shorter than the list of one-off components.

From custom-machined brake rotors carved out of solid cast iron, to intricate mechanical detailing throughout, no surface was overlooked. The interior, crafted by the world-renowned Recovery Room, is a masterclass in craftsmanship and restraint. Power comes from a 300 horsepower, full-race engine built by Doug Gonzales of RevMaster — a monster Type 1 powerplant that proves air-cooled performance belongs on the biggest stage.

Competing against multi-million-dollar customs and elite coach-built machines, Karma didn't just show up — it changed the conversation. This win is proof that when precision engineering meets vision, a Volkswagen can stand toe-to-toe with the best custom cars in the world.

We also talk about the evolution of Type 1 Restoration, the misunderstood builds, the favorites, the setbacks, and the relentless drive to keep pushing the envelope.

If history has shown us anything, it's this: the next build coming from their shop will redefine expectations all over again.

This episode is about craftsmanship, competition, redemption — and changing the game for Volkswagens on the biggest stage in custom car culture.

On this episode, Bill dives headfirst into One Crazy Weekend 2026 and what you can expect from what's shaping up to be the biggest, baddest weekend of the year. If you're planning to attend, now's the time to start saving, booking rooms, and getting mentally prepared—this one's going to be special.

Bill breaks down the latest updates, including the new Sunday Cool-Down Pool Party, presented by Spikes Restoration and Werk Restoration—a perfect way to wind down after a full throttle weekend of Volkswagens, friends, and late nights.

The episode also covers Bill's road trip to the Grand National Show, where he went to support the VW community and those competing for the prestigious Al Slonker Award. Congrats go out to Buddy Hile with One Restoration, who took home the top honors.

Rounding things out, Bill shares thoughts from stopping by the Doug Berg Memorial Celebration of Life, reflecting on legacy, community, and the people who shaped the VW world.

Packed with updates, stories from the road, and what's coming next—this episode sets the tone for an exciting year ahead. Enjoy.

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There's been a lot of noise lately about engine performance, dyno numbers, and expectations—and instead of adding to the speculation, I brought in someone who actually lives this stuff. This week, I sit down with Fred Simpson for a good conversation on cylinder head technology, porting and polishing, and how all of it really translates into horsepower.

Fred breaks down engine combinations, airflow calculations, and what kind of power you can realistically expect from different motor setups—while also being honest about the limitations he's run into over the years. We also get into camshaft technology and ask the big question: has cam design kept pace with modern cylinder head development?

To round it out, Fred shares his unfiltered take on exhaust systems—what works, what doesn't, and which designs he says flat-out choke an engine. If you're into engine theory, real-world results, and no-BS technical insight, this is one of those episodes you won't want to miss.

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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.

The baddest "Kat" in the Chevy truck world might surprise you—because it all started with Volkswagens. In this episode, we sit down with "Dino Battilana, the mastermind behind the world-famous Dino Git Down Chevy truck show in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the largest and most influential classic Chevy C10 events in the country.

For more than 10 years, Dino Git Down has drawn Chevy pickup trucks from all over the United States and international visitors, growing into an absolute monster of a show. With over 13,000 trucks attending last year, it has become a must-attend event for classic truck enthusiasts, custom builders, and C10 fans worldwide.

But before the C10 fame, Dino's automotive journey began in the Volkswagen world. In this episode, we dive deep into his VW roots, his passion for air-cooled Volkswagens, and how that foundation shaped his approach to building, design, and community. We also break down his latest personal build—a jaw-dropping 1960 Volkswagen that defies categories. While it looks like a convertible, the window channels have been permanently sealed, making it a true open-air cruiser with a unique custom twist.

This VW features air suspension by Levi at Pan Draggers, traditional styling mixed with modern creativity, and even subtle Chevy-inspired interior details—a perfect crossover of two iconic automotive worlds. We talk shop on custom fabrication, air-ride setups, vintage Volkswagen styling, and how his love for VW culture helped influence the growth of one of the biggest classic truck shows in the country.

If you're into classic Volkswagens, Chevy C10 trucks, custom car culture, air suspension builds, automotive event history, or the evolution of car shows, this episode is a must-listen. We cover Dino's full journey—from air-cooled VW beginnings to building an automotive empire—and how Dino Git Down became the global phenomenon it is today.

Enjoy

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.

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San Leandro, California—an industrial Bay Area city shaped by its Portuguese community and a deep-rooted Volkswagen culture—holds a story few outside the neighborhood ever knew. Tucked away behind an unassuming fence was a Volkswagen collection unlike anything else in the region. For years, local kids would stop, peer through the slats, and take it all in: early Beetles, split windows, rare convertibles, stacks of glass, and parts that hinted at decades of careful accumulation.

It was a forgotten archive of Volkswagen history—silent, untouched, and unexplained.

Then came the revelation.

The cars belonged to Stuart Alexander, the owner of the Sausage King facility and the man later convicted in one of San Leandro's most infamous criminal cases—the murder of health inspectors at his warehouse. A crime that shocked the community also cast a long shadow over what had once seemed like a harmless automotive mystery.

In the years that followed, the Volkswagen hoard was quietly dismantled. With the help of a volunteer assisting the family, the cars were sold off—often at fair, reasonable prices—and released back into the Volkswagen world. One by one, these forgotten cars reentered the scene, restored, driven, shown, and enjoyed, largely disconnected from the dark chapter that once surrounded them.

In this episode, we Me & John Limnios explore the intersection of true crime and Volkswagen history—how a legendary Bay Area VW stash came to be, how it disappeared, and where those cars may be today. Many of them are still out there, living new lives, their origins unknown to their current owners.

If you own one of these cars, recognize the story, or have information about the San Leandro VW hoard, we invite you to reach out. This is more than a crime story—it's an unfinished chapter of Volkswagen history, and together, we may be able to trace it back to where it began.

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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.

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ICON pistons