SUMMER SHOW ISSUE
TECH: SHORTEN YOUR PAN
ADJUSTABLE DECKLID STANDOFFS
staff Editor-In-Chief: Dan “DG” Leadbetter Creative Director and Odd Jobs: Ron Petro Layout, Editing, and Kitchen Sink: Jason Smith Advertising Sales: Bruce Simurda Social Media Guru and Street Team Leader: Larry Bohannon
CONTRIBUTORS Rich Crafton, Bob Daniels, Eric Geisert, Nate Henderson, Arthur Junior, Paul Morton, Bruce Simurda, Jason Smith, George Trosley, David Zemla
STA PUBLISHING Publishers: Dan Leadbetter and Rich Crafton Chief Financial Officer: Beckyjo Ohlendorf Subscription info: vwtrendsmagazine.com VW Trends Magazine ISSN APPL100001111, USPS MID 903010850 is published whenever we get around to it (but for now, we get around to it quarterly) by STA Publishing, LLC, 4533 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 5208, Newport Beach, CA, 92660. Reprinting in whole or in part is expressly forbidden except with written permission from the publisher. Copyright 2022, STA Publishing, LLC. Periodical postage paid in Newport Beach, California and at additional mailing offices. If you’re reading this, this is Dan. I’ve accidentally locked myself in the utility closet of the STA Publishing towers, 12th floor, next to the vending machines. I’m okay for now, as this is where all of the PopTarts and Red Bull are kept. But it’s not going to last long. I’ve already gone through 15 strawberry Pop-Tarts and 10 cans of lukewarm Red Bull. I feel kinda funny. But the rat I’ve been talking to says that’s completely normal. Send help, please. The rat is starting to look at me funny… CHANGE OF ADDRESS: A minimum of six weeks’ notice is required, and you must provide STA Publishing with old and new addresses. Send all change of address info to: STA Publishing, Attn: VWT CHANGE OF ADDRESS, 4533 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 5208, Newport Beach, CA, 92660. Or change your address via email to info@ vwtrendsmagazine.com. POSTMASTER SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: STA Publishing, Attn: VWT CHANGE OF ADDRESS, 4533 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 5208, Newport Beach, CA, 92660. SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S. and U.S. Possessions $29.99 for one year (4 issues). ADVERTISING: Please direct all ad inquiries to bruce@ vwtrendsmagazine.com or STA Publishing, 4533 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 5208, Newport Beach, CA, 92660. You know you want to advertise with VW Trends Magazine. We’re not too proud to beg, people. EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS are welcome but not guaranteed unless by express written approval of VW Trends magazine staff. Photographs and/or articles must include signed photo and property releases from the writer, photographer, vehicle owner, property owner, and any recognizable people. STA Publishing is not responsible for the return of any manuscripts or photographs. DISTRIBUTION: Want to distribute VW Trends Magazine at your place of business? Let VW Trends stick their nose into your business! Send your inquiries to info@ vwtrendsmagazine.com to see how you can sell VW Trends, and actually make some money! VW is a registered Trademark of Volkswagenwerk AG. VW Trends Magazine is in no way affiliated with Volkswagen.
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SUMMER 2022 • VOL. 2 NO. 1
DEPARTMENTS 4 TOP DEAD CENTER: The heart (attack) of the matter. 6 WHAT’S NEW: The latest loot and where to get it. 56 TOYS IN THE ATTIC: ADAC Tippco garage diorama-rama. 60 GARAGE BUILT: Each issue we feature another DIY-er. 62 COMING EVENTS: A coast-to-coast list.
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64 TROSLEY: VW Friends. FEATURES 14 BEST OFFER: Rodney Sanford and his eBay prize. 18 OUT OF THE ASHES: More than 300 VWs lost in a salvage-yard fire. 38 SUBLIME SUB HATCH: Andrew Hamilton’s Split Camper. 52 SK8 UTE: The Quinones brothers’ New Beetle Truck. 54 PROJECT CRUISIN’: Well-worn driver to street-savvy warrior, part one.
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EVENTS 8 VWT AT FLUFFY FEST: Good times at Dodger Stadium. 10 VWT FOUNDERS’ PARTY: Our guests gather in Huntington Beach to celebrate the one-year anniversary of reviving the best VW magazine ever.
20 BUG BLOOM 4: A perfect day for a VW show in Phoenix. 24 MID AMERICA’S FULLY LOADED FUNFEST: Dubs at The Ham. 30 WINTER VOLKSFEST 16: An all-indoor show, Carolina style. 34 BLACKSTAR CAMPOUT & EL PRADO ’22: ...at a new venue. 42 EMPI OPEN HOUSE: In which we go behind the curtain at the biggest name in aftermarket parts.
48 TYPE 3 INVASION: Crescent City Fastbacks, Squarebacks, and Notchbacks.
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28 IT’S HOT TO BE COOL: Adjustable decklid standoffs. 42 GET SHORTY: Cutting your pan for a Buggy or 356, part one.
PHOTO: BEN NEWHARD
TECHNICAL
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VW TRENDS at
Gabriel Iglesias’ sold-out show at Dodger Stadium included a pre-show fan appreciation area with some of Fluffy’s VWs By Dan Leadbetter • Photos by Dan Leadbetter, Rich Crafton, Abel Arciniega, and Troy Conrad
There were great carnival games, like Spray Iglesias and the Fluffy Hat Toss.
This giant inflatable Fluffy greeted all the fans who came early to the show, with a couple of Gabriel’s Buses flanking it.
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hen the hottest comedian in the world asks you to be part of his historic sell-out show at one of the most iconic baseball stadiums in the world, how do you say no? You don’t. That’s what happened when we got the call from Gabriel Iglesias’ people (Team Fluffy, as we like to call them) to be at the fan appreciation area at Dodger Stadium on May 7. Turns out, Gabriel really liked the feature VW Trends did on his VW museum, and he felt it would be a natural fit to have us there, alongside several of his immaculate Volkswagens.
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The fan appreciation area was a really cool place to go hang out before the show. The first thing you saw when you walked in was a three-story inflatable likeness of Gabriel, greeting all the fans that got there early for a little pre-show fun. Dubbed “Fluffy Fest,” the area had a carnival atmosphere, which included games for a chance to win some Fluffy swag. Of course, there were some snacks, like corn in a cup and aqua fresca. A DJ was spinning some awesome tunes, and naturally there was a selection of VWs from Gabriel’s collection. VW Trends was handing out 10,000
Team VW Trends, left to right: Larry, Lucy, Vicky, Becky, Dan, Bruce, and Rich, right before thousands of Fluffy fans descended on Dodger Stadium!
Of course, Gabriel brought out one of his favorites, the “Ironman” Bus. You really need to see this thing in person to get the full impact!
Editor in chief and publisher Dan Leadbetter got to hang out with the Tapatio guy. Side note, the guy really likes VWs, too.
Here’s the ultra-clean Compound-Built engine in Gabriel’s recently acquired Bug. Look for a full feature on this beauty in an upcoming issue of VW Trends.
To say that Gabriel knows how to make an entrance is an understatement. How else would a die-hard VW fan hit the stage in front of 45,000 screaming fans, except in his beautiful black-and-red Single Cab? PHOTOS: LEFT, TROY CONRAD; RIGHT, ABEL ARCINIEGA
copies of our Fall 2021 issue, which featured Gabriel on the cover — that’s our number-one selling issue, by the way — to the throngs of Fluffy fans. We also gave out stickers and other swag. So many cool carnival-style games were being played: spin the wheel for a prize, ring the bell, hat toss, and so much more! The Tapatio hot sauce folks were in attendance, as well as the Tapatio man himself. People were almost mobbing the poor guy — he was a rock star in his own right. Lots of people came in to hang out, admire the VWs, play a few games, grab a copy of VW Trends, and get a bite to eat before the big show. The excitement for the show was so thick you could cut it with a knife. This was a big deal: It was the first time in history that a comedian has performed at Dodger Stadium, and this particular comedian sold out the venue! We can’t think of anyone who deserves the honor more. Gabriel’s the real deal — a down-to-earth guy that really appreciates his fans and hasn’t let fame go to his head.
At 7 p.m. they started closing down Fluffy Fest to get people over to the stadium for the show. As we were walking over, there were miles and miles of cars in line for parking, and a virtual sea of people waiting in line to get in. The Goodyear blimp was overhead, with Gabriel’s face on the side. We got so caught up checking it out that we bumped into people that were
stopped in line. When we finally got to our seats, the show was underway, with several other comics warming up the crowd. They were all amazing in their own right, and you could tell they were just as pumped to see Gabriel as the other 45,000 in attendance! Did we mention that this was being filmed for a Netflix special? The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and next thing you know, Gabriel Iglesias hit the stage driving his beautiful red and black Single Cab pickup! For the next 3 hours, Gabriel had the crowd in the palm of his hand, being the master storyteller he is. We laughed, we cried, we got it. Gabriel left it all on the stage, like a seasoned professional. This was a night to remember! The special should be airing on Netflix a few months after this issue goes to press, so be on the lookout for it. We at VW Trends cannot express our gratitude enough to Gabriel and the rest of Team Fluffy for allowing us to be a part of this history-making event!
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BEST OFFER
Rodney Sanford never thought his eBay bid would actually bring home this car. By Nate Henderson VW TRENDS • SUMMER ’22 15