Last of a Driving Breed

The first episode of LOADB since I moved out of Los Angeles. In this episode I discuss the podcast, what I've been doing and it's future. I also discuss the challenges I've faced with building a business in a competitive market. Lastly, I touch on ethanol and ponder a question I'd like your input on.

The Grand American Tour - documenting an open ended road trip from Los Angeles to ??? via VW Bus.

October 17th, 3 weeks after our initial departure attempt, the Daftfalia has a totally fresh rebuilt engine and we talk about the little sense of magic that went into making this happen as fast as it did. 

The Grand American Tour - documenting an open ended road trip from Los Angeles to ??? via VW Bus.

September 28th, all the I's are dotted, the T's are crossed, every imaginable check performed to make sure  the Daftfalia is ready for the Grand American Tour and the road trip starts off with smashed spark plugs, metal in air filter, and a whole new engine rebuild. So far, we've gone -2 miles overall BUT if this adventure is anything like my last one, this is just a speed bump before the trip of a lifetime. 

Cover Photo credit: C. Connell on Facebook. 

2021 hasn't gone to plan, but that hasn't stopped Brendon from quitting his job. This episode is a quickie, covering the new direction for this podcast and covering an adventure that started with a camp and ended at the Mexican border. 

Dave Cormack is the former tech editor of VW Trends Magazine, Dune Buggies and Hot VWs Magazine, and of VolksAmerica Magazine.  Dave's history in the VW scene from his first time racing (and losing) to Darrel Vittone in the famed Inch Pincher, to being schooled by Gene Berg, to being banned from Irwindale Speedway for an epic cover photo opportunity is retold in this first part, covering just some of the wild rides of a VW Journalist. 

Dave Cormack is the former tech editor of VW Trends Magazine, Dune Buggies and Hot VWs Magazine, and of VolksAmerica Magazine.  Dave's history in the VW scene from his first time racing (and losing) to Darrel Vittone in the famed Inch Pincher, to being schooled by Gene Berg, to being banned from Irwindale Speedway for an epic cover photo opportunity is retold in this first part, covering just some of the wild rides of a VW Journalist. 

Ben Chavez is the owner of a daily driver 1993 Chevy S-10 and a project Mitsubishi Starion, but this episode takes a look at his previous career as a photojournalist for the once upon a time website OMGDrift and how this podcast likely wouldn't exist if it weren't for him taking Brendon on some great trips for the website. 

After a rollercoaster of a year, LOADB is excited to bring the feel good story of the year with Team Lucas, the Kusak family and friend Clayton met up with LOADB on a VW road trip to Oklahoma City. 

Rick Kusak is the owner of several air cooled Volkswagens but one very special Bus in particular that came to him in light of his newborn son Lucas, who needs a wheelchair and how Rick and his family came to acquire their wheelchair accessible VW Bus with the outpouring of support of the wider Volkswagen community. 

Clayton Capps, Rick's friend, is also the owner of several Volkswagens including "Million Mile Herbie", a 1963 VW Beetle decked out like the Love Bug that he has documented 1,000,000 miles of driving with (and an extra 20,000 miles just in the last few months!). 

Thank you to our friend Dustin for hosting LOADB in his garage for this episode!

Audio Note: due to equipment issues this episode was recorded directly on the LOADB laptop rather than through microphones. Headphones are recommended. 

The conclusion to Performance Garbage, Markos continues to tell the stories of building his 1965 Beetle, breaking it, and rebuilding it as he reminisces on young adulthood when he first started with Volkswagens, and offers advice for his daughter when she inevitably gets the 'Buzz Bomb'.