Hartzel Automotive
A Monterey Peninsula Mazda shop run by multi-time Spec Miata champion Barry Hartzel, trusted with everything from race cars to like-new NAs.
Visit shop website ↗A champion's shop
Barry Hartzel has been fixing Mazdas on the Monterey Peninsula since 1990, and he has a shelf of Spec Miata championships from the 2000s, including the 2010 NASA Northern California title. His shop puts Spec Miata parts and services front and center, and that racing know-how carries over to street cars. "I don't think they do bodywork but they're obsessed with Miatas," wrote u/BonesJackson on Reddit.
Worth the drive
Hartzel's Miata owners don't always live nearby. One owner of a like-new, low-mileage '92 drove 50 miles each way from San Jose on a fellow Miata owner's recommendation. The shop did a timing belt, water pump and radiator in a single day and treated the car like the special thing it is. Another Miata owner in San Mateo has their car towed about 100 miles to Barry for the honest pricing and good work.
Racing roots, street manners
Beyond maintenance and repair, Hartzel offers street performance upgrades for owners who want a little of the race car in their daily, and it's an authorized Flyin' Miata dealer. If you're getting into Spec Miata, it's hard to imagine a better person to talk to.
Know before you go
This is a mechanical shop. If your Miata needs paint or body repair, plan on going somewhere else for that part.
Last updated on October 21, 2026.
Generations with documented work
- NAdocumented
- NBnot documented
- NCnot documented
- NDnot documented
Services with a source
Location
Sand City, CA
510 California Ave, Sand City, CA 93955
About the business
What they do
- Repair & installation · Hartzel Automotive official site - Spec Miata and Mazda pages · Hartzel Automotive - map-listing review excerpts (Exa place mirror)
- Parts seller · Hartzel Automotive official site - Spec Miata and Mazda pages · Maker listing: Flyin' Miata lists Hartzel Automotive as an authorized dealer
The shop's own website puts Spec Miata parts and services front and center, and Miata owners describe maintenance and repair work and travelling long distances to the shop.
Evidence in the ledger: Line 01Line 02Line 03
Documented Miata focus, not a quality or customer review rating. How the scale works ↗
Sources and details
One line per source, with the claims it supports and when we checked it.
| Line | Claim | Evidence | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Timing belt, water pump and radiator on a low-mileage 1992 Miata in one day. They performed some major preventative maintenance (timing belt, water pump, radiator, etc.) and completed it all in one day. | Outside review Hartzel Automotive - map-listing review excerpts (Exa place mirror) | Open source ↗ | |
| 02 | Offers Spec Miata parts and services. Hartzel Automotive provides a range of parts and services with the emphasis on the popular Spec Miata racing series. Mazda service and repair since 1990. In 1990, Hartzel Automotive committed to the service and repair of Mazda passenger cars. | Shop website Hartzel Automotive official site - Spec Miata and Mazda pages | Open source ↗ | |
| 03 | A Miata owner has their car towed about 100 miles to the shop. I live in San Mateo and have my Mazda Miata towed 100 miles to Barry's shop for one reason. | Outside review Yelp (via Brave snippet) - Hartzel: San Mateo owner has his Mazda Miata towed 100 miles to Barry Hartzel's shop | Open source ↗ | |
| 04 | Listed by Flyin' Miata as an authorized dealer. Hartzel Automotive, Sand City | Shop website Maker listing: Flyin' Miata lists Hartzel Automotive as an authorized dealer | Open source ↗ |
Hours and directions
Sand City, CA
Workshop · Hartzel Automotive - map-listing review excerpts (Exa place mirror)
Hours not yet verified. Contact the shop before visiting.
Call the shop to confirm they can take your car and your project.