This week on Windblown Mic, PCA San Diego Region President Michael Zurich sits down with Niko Sougias, owner of Charlie's Foreign Car in Encinitas. Niko's dad, Charlie, came to the U.S. from Thessaloniki, Greece, at age 10, started tuning Volkswagens in the back alleys of Leucadia, and opened his own shop in 1978. Niko grew up in that shop. At 12, he was handed an '84 Guards Red 944 that needed a water pump and a clutch, along with a shop manual and zero help. It took him three years to finish it, and the car was sold before he ever got his license. Niko talks about growing up around 356s and 911s, blowing up a BMW engine at 17, autocrossing a 914-6 with PCA, and buying the business from his dad in 2016 (with a Starbucks gift card always on hand for Dad's shop visits). He also shares how the shop now trains the next generation of technicians, why old cars still teach young mechanics the most, and how Encinitas Cruise Night grew into one of the best European car nights around. It's a conversation about family, cars, and keeping a legacy running. Recorded at Amplified Studios in Carlsbad, CA. 🎙️ Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts 📸 Follow us on Instagram #WindblownMic #PCASanDiego #PorscheClubOfAmerica #Porsche #Porsche944 #CharliesForeignCar #Encinitas #FamilyBusiness #CarPodcast
This week on Windblown Mic, PCA San Diego Region President Michael Zurich sits down with Niko Sougias, owner of Charlie's Foreign Car in Encinitas.
Niko's dad, Charlie, came to the U.S. from Thessaloniki, Greece, at age 10, started tuning Volkswagens in the back alleys of Leucadia, and opened his own shop in 1978. Niko grew up in that shop. At 12, he was handed an '84 Guards Red 944 that needed a water pump and a clutch, along with a shop manual and zero help. It took him three years to finish it, and the car was sold before he ever got his license.
Niko talks about growing up around 356s and 911s, blowing up a BMW engine at 17, autocrossing a 914-6 with PCA, and buying the business from his dad in 2016 (with a Starbucks gift card always on hand for Dad's shop visits). He also shares how the shop now trains the next generation of technicians, why old cars still teach young mechanics the most, and how Encinitas Cruise Night grew into one of the best European car nights around.
It's a conversation about family, cars, and keeping a legacy running.
Recorded at Amplified Studios in Carlsbad, CA.
🎙️ Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts
📸 Follow us on Instagram
#WindblownMic #PCASanDiego #PorscheClubOfAmerica #Porsche #Porsche944 #CharliesForeignCar #Encinitas #FamilyBusiness #CarPodcast