DubLife Diaries The VW Lifestyle Podcast

On Episode 81 of the DubLife Diaries Podcast, we sit down with Volkswagen collector, entrepreneur, and lifelong VW enthusiast Eliot Vancil.
Eliot has spent years building an incredible collection of rare and historically significant Volkswagens, but this conversation goes far beyond the cars. We dive into the adventures, friendships, and unbelievable stories behind finding some of the most unique VWs in the hobby.
From traveling to the Czech Republic to purchase a rare Fridolin Volkswagen, to chasing down a Hebmüller, acquiring historic Split Windows, and taking unforgettable road trips to bring home another piece of Volkswagen history, Eliot shares stories that every air-cooled VW enthusiast will appreciate.
We also talk about the difference between a Volkswagen that is simply rare and one that is truly important. Eliot shares his passion for originality, preservation, documentation, and protecting the stories behind these historic cars for future generations.
But like so many conversations on DubLife Diaries, this episode is ultimately about more than Volkswagens.
It's about the people you meet, the friendships you build, the memories you create with your family, and the community that keeps the Volkswagen hobby alive.
Whether you're into classic Volkswagens, vintage VW collecting, air-cooled cars, Split Windows, Hebmüllers, Fridlins, or simply love hearing incredible stories from passionate people in the VW community, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Every Volkswagen has a story. Eliot Vancil has spent a lifetime collecting them.
🎙️ DubLife Diaries Podcast — Episode 81
🚗 Guest: Eliot Vancil
Follow DubLife Diaries for more conversations with the people, builders, collectors, and personalities who make up the incredible Volkswagen community.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dublife-diaries-the-vw-lifestyle-podcast/donations

In Episode 80 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Spud Hughes for a deeply personal conversation about Volkswagens, family, loss, rebuilding, and the lifelong memories that make these cars so much more than metal and machines.
Spud’s connection to the Volkswagen world started as a kid, riding off-road with his father and learning the skills that would eventually shape his career and his life. His father—known as “Uno Mas”—was always working on one moreproject, and that name would eventually become the perfect tribute for Spud’s beloved 1965 Beetle, Uno Mas.
From Baja builds and lowered Volkswagens to bodywork, paint, custom interiors, and years spent chasing the perfect build, Spud shares the stories behind the cars—and the people behind them.
We talk about losing his father, finding a 1965 Baja at exactly the right moment, and discovering that the money to buy it came unexpectedly from his father's estate. That car, The Beach Bum, became a rolling tribute to his dad and a way to keep his memory alive.
We also get into the reality of rebuilding after tragedy. After an accident left Uno Mas badly damaged, Spud refused to let the car go. He rebuilt it piece by piece and got it back on the road in time for a show, proving once again that sometimes rebuilding a Volkswagen is about much more than fixing a car.
Along the way, we talk about the unmistakable smell of an old Volkswagen, why these cars seem to find their owners, the personalities we give our Volkswagens, becoming a father himself, and what it means to pass the passion on to the next generation.
And, of course, we finish with a little DubLife Diaries rapid fire—favorite VW year, color, engine, and more.
This is a story about Volkswagens, but ultimately it's about family, legacy, memories, and the people who keep us moving forward.
Episode 80 features:
• Spud Hughes
• Uno Mas — 1965 Volkswagen Beetle
• The Beach Bum — 1965 Volkswagen Baja
• Volkswagen Baja builds & restoration
• Air-cooled VW culture
• Custom VW interiors, paint & bodywork
• Rebuilding after an accident
• The legacy of a father
• Fatherhood and passing the VW passion forward
• Colorado & Southern California VW culture
• The emotional connection between people and their cars
If you've ever owned a Volkswagen that meant more to you than it probably should have… this episode is for you.
🎙️ DubLife Diaries — the VW lifestyle podcast celebrating the cars, the culture, and the stories behind the people who live it.
Subscribe, follow, and leave us a 5-star review—and send us the story of the VW person you think should be on DubLife Diaries next.
#DubLifeDiaries #Volkswagen #VW #AirCooledVW #VWBeetle #VolkswagenBeetle #VWBus #BajaBug #VWLife #AirCooled #VWCommunity #VolkswagenCulture #VWBuild #VWRestoration #ClassicVW #1965Beetle #VWStories

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dublife-diaries-the-vw-lifestyle-podcast/donations

In this episode 79 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Mark Laue, one of the founders of Dubsplash, to talk about Volkswagens, skateboarding, business, community, and what it really takes to build a successful car show.
Mark takes us back to his early days growing up in Southern California, discovering Volkswagens as a teenager, and balancing his love of cars with skateboarding and hockey. His passion for skateboarding eventually led him into the skate park business, where he helped build and operate parks across California and Texas.
From there, Mark found his way into the Volkswagen event world and helped grow Dubsplash into one of the premier Volkswagen gatherings in the country, now drawing hundreds of cars, thousands of attendees, and dozens of vendors.
We talk about how Dubsplash evolved, the challenges of putting on large-scale VW events, the impact of social media and YouTube on the Volkswagen hobby, and why keeping the community welcoming and inclusive matters.
Mark also shares his thoughts on the future of VW culture, supporting younger enthusiasts, leadership, sponsorships, and the importance of simply stepping back and appreciating what you've built.
Whether you're into air-cooled Volkswagens, VW shows, skateboarding, event promotion, or the community behind the cars, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Follow Dubsplash: dubsplash.com
Episode Topics:
Volkswagen • Dubsplash • VW Shows • Air-Cooled VW • Classic Volkswagen • Skateboarding • Skate Parks • Car Culture • VW Community • Event Promotion • Volkswagen Events • VW Lifestyle

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dublife-diaries-the-vw-lifestyle-podcast/donations

What happens when a song about a Volkswagen Beetle wins an international songwriting competition—and eventually leads you to the exact car you wrote about?
In Episode 78 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with 18-year-old Volkswagen enthusiast Aiden Fleischman to hear the incredible story behind his 1972 Super Beetle, Maggie.
Aiden takes us from falling in love with a Beetle he couldn't afford, to writing a song about it, winning an international competition, and eventually finding and purchasing that same 1972 Super Beetle for $4,000. From oil leaks and broken fuel pumps to pulling the engine multiple times, Aiden didn't just buy a classic car—he taught himself how to build, repair, and understand it.
We talk about his journey through the Volkswagen community, his experience at a 48-hour tech session with Glenn, the people who helped him along the way, and the lessons he's learned about humility, perseverance, and following your dreams.
Aiden also shares his plans for the future as he heads to college on a full scholarship to study aviation maintenance and engineering—and how his passion for air-cooled VW engines connects surprisingly well with aircraft engines.
We'll talk Beetles, restoration, car shows, future builds, the VW community, and why Aiden plans to keep Maggie for the long haul.
This is a story about more than an old Volkswagen. It's about following a dream, learning by doing, and finding your people along the way.

🎙️ DubLife Diaries Episode 78 — Aiden Fleischman

Aidens Song Contest Winning Tune : https://youtube.com/shorts/tcvR95jmODU?si=8579HIFlqF6pQpTI
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with another VW enthusiast!
Sponsors & Friends of the Show:
VolksMania Magazine www.volksmania.com
Trippin' Seed Tie-Dye check them out on Facebook
Salty Dub Events www.SaltyDub.com
Vara Upholstery www.VaraUpholstery.com

#DubLifeDiaries #Volkswagen #VW #VWBeetle #SuperBeetle #AirCooledVW #VolkswagenBeetle #ClassicCars #VWLife #VWCommunity #CarRestoration #DubLife

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dublife-diaries-the-vw-lifestyle-podcast/donations

What happens when you trade the 9-to-5 grind for life on the road in a 1962 Volkswagen panel bus?
In Episode 77 of DubLife Diaries, we sit down with Vanessa Cassada, a longtime Volkswagen enthusiast, pinstriper, hand painter, and full-time traveler who has spent more than a year exploring the country in her vintage VW bus with her husband, Adam.
Vanessa takes us back to where her Volkswagen journey began at just 16 years old with her first air-cooled Beetle, and how that early love for Volkswagens eventually led her to a completely different way of life.
We talk about what it's really like to travel in a vintage VW bus, from keeping a 1962 panel bus running across thousands of miles to navigating mountain roads, camping, attending VW events, and discovering some of the most beautiful places in the country.
Vanessa shares stories from driving the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, exploring Oregon and Idaho, attending Volkswagen campouts, and experiencing firsthand the incredible generosity of the VW community. From fellow enthusiasts offering a place to work on her bus to someone lending her a Volkswagen for a campout, Vanessa's stories are a reminder that the Volkswagen community is about so much more than cars.
We also dive into Vanessa's journey as a pinstriper and hand painter, her inspiration from legendary artists like Ed Roth, and how a hobby eventually opened doors.
And of course, we talk about the philosophy behind it all: simplicity, freedom, adventure, and just doing it.
Vanessa and Adam have embraced a minimalist lifestyle, downsized their possessions, and built a life centered around experiences rather than things. Her message is simple: you don't have to wait for the perfect time to start living the life you've dreamed about.
If you've ever dreamed about VW bus camping, traveling the country in an air-cooled Volkswagen, living a minimalist lifestyle, or simply taking the leap into your next adventure, this episode is for you.
🚐 One bus. Two people. An open road. And a whole lot of Volkswagen culture.
In This Episode:
Vanessa's first Volkswagen at 16
Life in a 1962 VW panel bus
Traveling full-time with her husband
VW bus camping and minimalist living
Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park
Volkswagen campouts and the VW community
The people who helped keep her bus on the road
Pinstriping, hand painting, and Ed Roth inspiration
Building and maintaining a vintage VW for long-distance travel
Favorite destinations and road-trip discoveries
Why simplicity can lead to a richer life
Vanessa's advice for anyone dreaming about their own adventure
Keeping Volkswagen culture alive for the next generation

Follow DubLife Diaries for more stories from the people, cars, adventures, and communities that make the Volkswagen lifestyle so special.
#DubLifeDiaries #Volkswagen #VWBus #VWBusLife #AirCooledVW #VolkswagenBus #VWCamping #VanLife #VWCommunity #VintageVW #VWLife #VolkswagenCulture

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dublife-diaries-the-vw-lifestyle-podcast/donations