In episode 004 of Spanners, we meet Mike Pixley, a car enthusiast with a passion for English classics and a history of blending artistry with automotive restoration. From restoring and tracking his Lotus Elan before sending it back to its homeland in England to breathing new life into his first MGA with a “wabi-sabi” approach, Mike’s journey is anything but ordinary.
Now, he’s diving into his most ambitious project yet: a 1956 MGA Coupe. With an eye for creativity and performance, Mike is pairing the MGA’s timeless chassis with a Nissan inline-6 engine from a 240Z, given the nickname the "MG A 2Z". His goal? To transform the coupe into a sports car it was always meant to be.
Mike also shares a glimpse into his lifelong love affair with cars and racing, sparked by track days with his father and hours spent playing in the shop as a kid. That passion led him to vintage open-wheel racing, where he now competes in Formula Continental. For Mike, cars have always been “his thing,” a constant thread tying together his love for cars, creativity, and competition.
Beyond the garage, Mike shares his background as a sculptor and how his artistic vision influences this project. The MGA Coupe’s body will be one of his largest and most personal works to date — a true fusion of art and engineering.
This episode captures Mike’s eclectic style, his love for English cars, and his drive to create something truly unique.
The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.
An AI-summarized transcript edited by a human staffer is below.
[Image: YouTube/Michigan Automotive Relic Society]
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Summary
This transcript is an interview/profile of Mike, a lifelong car enthusiast, builder, and racer, discussing how his passion for automobiles evolved from childhood exposure to racing and workshop projects into increasingly ambitious custom car builds.
Early Projects and Lessons Learned
- Mike first built a beautiful Lotus Elan that exceeded his expectations, but because it became valuable and precious, he sold it and wanted something rougher that he could enjoy without worrying about damage.
- He bought a very rusty MGA intending it to be a simple, beat-up beach car, but it became a major restoration project.
- Guided by his father, he learned welding, rust repair, and patience by tackling the project one small step at a time.
- Rather than fully restoring the car, he embraced a "wabi-sabi" philosophy, keeping its worn appearance while making it mechanically sound.
The MGA Engine-Swap Vision
- Although he loved the MGA, he felt it lacked power.
- After buying a Nissan 240Z with a turbocharged engine, he realized a straight-six engine might fit into the MGA.
- This sparked a larger vision: creating a custom MGA with a more powerful drivetrain while maintaining good weight distribution and handling.
- He modified the chassis, firewall, and transmission tunnel to fit the engine and gearbox, carefully engineering the package rather than simply cramming in more power.
Designing a One-of-a-Kind MGA Coupe
- Mike acquired a 1956 MGA coupe that was essentially a parts car.
- Wanting to learn sheet-metal shaping, he began designing custom aluminum bodywork.
- Inspired by classic sports cars such as the Jaguar E-Type, Ferrari 500, Maserati 350S, and Elva Mk VII, he experimented with sketches and mockups to create a unique front-end design.
- He also considered subtle body modifications, wider fenders, and larger wheels while preserving the MGA's classic proportions and period-correct appearance.
Childhood Influence and Racing Background
- Mike's love of cars started in childhood, spending time in his father's garage and helping with projects.
- His father raced, autocrossed, and instructed at track events, exposing Mike to rare and historic cars from a young age.
- As a teenager, Mike bought a Datsun 510 and entered vintage racing.
- He later became interested in Formula Continental racing because it would allow him to compete in the same class as his father for the first time.
Philosophy of Building and Learning
- Mike describes automotive problem-solving as addictive.
- He believes classic cars are approachable because their mechanical systems are relatively simple.
- Each repair builds confidence, leading to bigger challenges and more ambitious projects.
- He emphasizes that impressive builds are the result of years of gradual learning, experimentation, mistakes, and persistence.
- For him, the joy comes not only from driving but from creating beautiful, functional machines with his own hands.
Main Theme
The transcript is ultimately about the progression from curiosity to craftsmanship: how a childhood spent around racing and workshop projects led Mike to become a skilled builder who combines engineering, artistry, and problem-solving to create unique cars while continuously learning and growing.
via Autobuzz Today
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