The Man Behind the Bus: Leo Van Delft's Life in Air-Cooled Volkswagens Ep56
In this episode of DubLife Diaries, Joe sits down with lifelong Volkswagen enthusiast Leo Van Delft, whose passion for air-cooled VWs spans more than five decades.
Leo’s journey began in 1972 with a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle. What started as a simple love for the iconic cars quickly turned into a career. While still in college, Leo opened his own Volkswagen repair shop, building a reputation for keeping classic air-cooled machines on the road. He later transitioned into education, spending 23 years teaching automotive technology, sharing his knowledge and patience with the next generation of mechanics.
Now retired, Leo has fully embraced the bus life, traveling the country in his beloved 1967 double-door panel bus. Along the way, he’s become a familiar face at major Volkswagen gatherings like Buses by the Bridge and Volksgiving, connecting with enthusiasts who share the same passion for vintage VWs and the freedom of the open road.
In a surprising twist, Leo’s bus even became part of Oklahoma’s tourism promotions, turning him into an unexpected local celebrity featured in welcome guides and postcards.
Throughout the conversation, Leo reflects on the importance of community, patience, and hands-on learning, both in the classroom and under the hood. He also shares advice for anyone dreaming of hitting the road in a VW bus: travel with friends, learn the basics of maintenance, and enjoy the journey.
This episode is packed with stories from the road, classic VW culture, and the spirit that keeps the DubLife community rolling.
🚐 Topics in this episode:
• Leo’s first Volkswagen and early repair shop days
• Teaching automotive technology for 23 years
• Life on the road in a 1967 double-door panel bus
• Volkswagen events like Buses by the Bridge & Volksgiving
• Becoming the face of Oklahoma tourism (unexpectedly!)
• Advice for anyone starting their VW bus adventure
#DubLifeDiaries #VolkswagenBus #VWLife #AirCooled #VanLife #VolkswagenCommunity
