20 Questions with Pedal Werks

Meet Scott Stuart, owner of Pedal Werks. Scott specializes in restoring and customizing foot pedal assemblies for any and all Air Cooled VW chassis based vehicles. Scott’s a long-time friend of the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show (look for him on Road 34, Space 5), and we recently had the chance to catch up with him for a quick round of 20 questions.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF…

PSM:  What’s your name and title?
SS:  Scott “Pedal Boy” Stuart, Owner/Janitor.

PSM:  When and how did you get started in this industry?
SS:  I bought a 1962 VW Baja Bug for my 16th birthday. I spent so much time at my local VW shop repairing or modifying it that one day they put me to work, and I’ve been working on them ever since. Except for when I was serving in the Air Force, I have always owned at least one VW.

PSM:  What’s the best part of your job?
SS:  By far people’s reactions when they receive their pedals, or see them on my table at my spot. I get a lot of complements on them and I’ve been told many times that they look too nice to put on a car. I take great pride in them.

PSM:  Have you always been interested in restoring cars?
SS:  Yes. I can remember modifying my Tonka trucks, then Hot Wheels, bicycles, and finally cars.

PSM:  Do you currently own a classic car? What’s the make/model and how long have you had it? What repairs/modifications have you done to it?
SS:  Yes, I currently own a 1959 Single Cab Transporter, a 1957 Bug, and 1955 Bug. I first owned the ’55 Bug in the late 80s. I sold it, but several months later it was abandoned. I got it out of impound and have been restoring it ever since. Pedal Werks is paying for the restoration (and a few beers). So far the ’55 Bug has been upgraded with disc brakes, taller gearing, and a larger 2017cc engine (stock was 1200cc), and probably the world’s largest roof rack on a VW Bug. Mechanically, it’s brand new. I am currently doing a mechanical restoration with similar upgrades to the ’59 Transporter, as it’s my primary transportation to the show.

PSM:  Any favorite memories of the Pomona Swap Meet that you would like to share with us?
SS:  I have several. Recently, I found a pair of original front fenders for my ’55 Bug in perfect condition. These are ’55, ’56, ’57 U.S. models only, and they are very  rare. I had been looking for many years. Also, one Saturday night before the show, some kids, probably in their early 20s, didn’t bring any food so they were starving. I gave them an extra pizza I just happen to have. I thought they were going to eat the box they were so hungry. Anybody who knows me knows I do not go hungry!

PSM:  Why VWs? What’s the appeal?
SS:  They just have so much character. How can you not love them? And it’s like going back in time when things were a lot simpler, when people actually enjoyed the drive and knew that if it happens to break down, some duct tape, bailing wire and a hammer will get you going again.

PSM:  What’s your best VW story? Any special memories?
SS:  Yes, many I probably cannot talk about! But late one night in my ‘62 Baja Bug I was doing donuts in an off road area, when I unexpectedly got traction and we rolled over on the right side. My friend and his girlfriend were in the passenger seat and my little brother was in back. The rollover didn’t hurt anyone, but my 300 lbs. squished my friends pretty good! We got out, had a good laugh, and then rolled it back over… and it started right up!

NOW TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY…

PSM:  How can customers contact you?
SS:  My cell is 909-289-9655, and our website is PedalWerks.com. Or on TheSamba.com, search PedalWerks. And, of course, I’ll be on Road 34, Space 5 at Pomona!

PSM:  How long has your company been in business? Tell us a little about your company’s history.
SS:  Around 2004 I removed the foot pedal assembly from my ’55 Bug to restore it. I couldn’t find the parts to repair it so I borrowed my brother’s lathe and made them myself. I told some friends and they asked me to do theirs too. I started to buy up cores, and then started to sell them. I had been going to Pomona as a buyer for a while so it made sense to get a vendor spot. I have been there several years now, and people expect me to be there in my spot. If I miss a show, I get calls and e-mails saying they missed me!

PSM:  What’s your company’s main focus? A simple mission statement, if you will.
SS:  To help my clients improve the safety, performance and longevity of their beloved VWs by providing the best quality pedals available, anywhere in the world.

PSM:  What differentiates you from the competition? What makes you special?
SS:  I am taking the restoration/build to the extreme by addressing every issue that has gone wrong or worn out with pedals over the years, and I’m improving what the factory produced many years ago. You should not have to buy another set for your VW ever again.

PSM:  What are your company’s specialties? What do you do best?
SS:  I build each set of pedals with the car and driver in mind. I look at the engine/clutch size, type of carburetors, type of driving, driver’s foot size (I offer a widened version to keep drivers from hitting the wrong pedal), budget, and, of course, style – from concourse to full custom.

PSM:  Where do you get the parts that you sell?
SS:  I source parts from the best available on the market, and only if they will improve safety or performance.

PSM:  What’s your most popular product? Tell us a little about it.
SS:  Probably my Bulletproof Pedals. After I’m done with them, they are far stronger than stock. I have several race/street cars running these pedals with 3,000–pound clutches and no problems. In the past, people’s only option was to modify their cars with hydraulic clutch systems that are expensive and can fail without notice.

PSM:  Any new or different product offerings that we should know about?
SS:  Not right now, but I’m always thinking about ways to improve our products.

PSM:  What are different options that someone restoring a VW might have? Any recommendations for someone new to the hobby?
SS:  Whether you’re doing the work yourself or getting help, go to shows and talk to people about their cars, and the good or bad experiences they’ve had. I have not met anyone that did not like talking about their VW. Also, ask the vendors lots of questions about why their product is best, the pros and cons, etc. I personally give advice and information freely. People who withhold information have something to hide!

PSM:  What’s trending right now? Is one restoration method currently more popular than another?
SS:  In the VW world, it’s common for people to have a different year body on top of the chassis (pan). I can build a set of pedals to fit the current chassis, but still look like the period correct one to match the body. Many people don’t know that VW changed their foot pedal design several times over the years.

PSM:  Any other community events that you sponsor or attend?
SS:  I sponsor several shows throughout the year, and a couple of off-road, class 5 race cars.

PSM:  Do you offer any special swap meet deals or discounts?
SS:  I’m offering free shipping to people who place orders, with a deposit, at the Pomona Swap Meet.

PSM:  Anything else customers should know about your company or products?
SS:  I started my career in 1978 working on VWs. I was proud to serve our country in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 1986, and I am an FAA licensed aircraft mechanic. I also currently work for the railroad… so the term “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” really does apply!