Dan Leadbetter, publisher and editor of VW Trends magazine, joins DubLife Diaries to share his journey from buying a 1964 Beetle to becoming a defining voice in the VW community. He recounts early days typing on a Selectric, working at Small Car Specialties, and the magazine rivalries that shaped the scene.
The episode dives into the magazine revival story—how Leadbetter and a small team crowdfunded VW Trends back into print in 2021—and explores the global passion for air‑cooled Volkswagens, the value of storytelling, and the tight‑knit support among builders and fans.
Listeners will hear behind‑the‑scenes memories, practical advice for aspiring VW storytellers, and the enduring message that the car may be the star, but the story is king.
Get in touch with Dan : dan@vwtrendsmagazine.com
Sponsors and Shout Outs :
• VolksMania Magazine → www.volksmania.com • Use code dublife10 for 10% off.
• Chris White & Riverbank Customs → Watch their builds on YouTube: Riverbank Customs.
• Salty Dub — From the beach to the bay, tearing up the scene with VW swag + epic events → www.saltydub.com • Use code dublife10 (merch only) for 10% off.
🎧 Love this episode? Please follow/subscribe, rate 5⭐️, and share with your VW crew—it helps us keep the stories rolling.
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