Auto Repair Shop & GM Vehicle Specialist in Pasadena, CA
We are your General Motors dealer alternative! Keep your car running at its best. From routine maintenance to complex repairs, get personal service from a shop with deep Pasadena roots.
At Spence & Frye, we believe in doing things the right way. With roots in Pasadena dating to the mid-1940s and a long history of GM repair, we bring hands-on experience and personal attention to your vehicle. Get to know our story.
1979Art purchased the shop
GMVehicle specialists
PasadenaLocally rooted
Full ServiceMaintenance & repair
Experience you can count on
Specialized knowledge. Personal service.
GM expertise and complete automotive care, right here in Pasadena.
Spence & Frye GM Specialist is an independent automotive service center in Pasadena, CA, specializing in Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, and Hummer vehicles and featuring quality ACDelco parts.
We are dedicated to providing professional customer service and quality automotive services to the Pasadena community.
We offer complete vehicle maintenance, service and repair for all makes and model vehicles. Not just GM vehicles. From oil changes to engine repairs, our goal is honest, timely service and quality workmanship at affordable rates.
Our experienced technicians follow manufacturer guidelines for domestic cars, trucks, and SUVs. Whether you need routine maintenance, major repairs, or answers to questions about your vehicle, call us or request an appointment. We are here to answer general questions about your car and help you keep it on the road as long as possible.
Whether your vehicle requires major repairs or is due for maintenance checks, Spence & Frye GM Specialist of Pasadena, CA is qualified to handle it all.
Our technicians are experienced and trained in automotive repairs and service. We follow manufacturer guidelines for GM vehicles, domestic cars, trucks and SUVs to help keep your vehicle on the road as long as possible.
If your car is giving you trouble or requires repairs, call us or request an appointment online. You can also contact us with general questions about your car. We are here to help our customers in any way we can.
Whether you are close to home or on the open road, this Professional Service Center Program participant offers you the benefits of quality, dependable ACDelco parts. The ACDelco Consumer Assurance Program is our way of letting you know that we stand behind each and every quality ACDelco part we sell.
If a qualified select ACDelco product installed by an ACDelco Professional Service Center fails within 24 months or 24,000 miles* from the time of the original repair, we’ve got you covered.
Here is all you need to do to get back on the road:
01
Within 25 miles
If the failure occurs within 25 miles of the original repair facility,** please return to the original facility for possible ACDelco warranty coverage. The installing ACDelco Professional Service Center will conduct the warranty repair and you will be on your way.
02
More than 25 miles away
If the failure occurs more than 25 miles from the original repair facility, call the Consumer Assurance Program toll-free at 800.ACDelco (800.223.3526), prompt 3.
03
Present your receipt
Present your original receipt to the repair facility for authorization.
04
Get back on the road
After the repair facility authorizes your receipt, the repairs will be made and you will be on your way.
First-time customer special
More care for your car.
Bring your coupon when you leave your vehicle. Call our Pasadena shop to arrange service.
FIRST-TIME CUSTOMERS ONLY
The Works
$89.95
Oil, filter & lubrication service (up to 5 quarts)
Excludes diesel and synthetic motor oils. First-time customers only. Not valid with other coupons or discount offers for the same service. Present coupon when leaving your vehicle.
“I am so glad I took my 2015 Chevy Sonic here, it needed a lot of maintenance due and the staff were so helpful in informing me what it needed and a precise day/time it would be done. I love this place!!! My car was vibrating and I didn't know for what reason and when I picked it up it drove as smooth as the first day I bought it off the car lot. :) such an amazing place and team, I will be coming here again and recommending more people here.”
“fast friendly and thorough job!!! the owner even test drove my van!!! highly recommend!!!”
Bob KentSpence & Frye GM Specialist Customer Review
A★★★★★
“They changed my fuel pump . Fast and awesome service. I highly recommend this mechanic.”
Alain MuradianGoogle Review
M★★★★★
“Very honest people, friendly.”
Maria SheridanGoogle Review
S★★★★★
“My son-in-law, who is a car guy, always had his vehicles taken care of by Spence and Frye.... he referred me to them as the best place to go to have my car repaired...That was several years ago and I wouldn't consider going anyplace else. Art is kind and gracious, and good at explaining what needs to be done, to someone who knows little about the mechanics of cars. His staff is excellent at what they do and I trust them completely to do the best job possible.”
“The mechanics have been replacing several parts on my 1987 Regal. I am trying to keep the car as original as possible. The shop is very flexible because many of the parts for my car are extremely hard to find. Their workmanship is excellent and as a a result my car runs much better.”
Ped LopGoogle Review
H★★★★★
“5 Stars!”
HeRsEy GarciaGoogle Review
d★★★★★
“I have had Spence and Frye do several jobs on my kit car and they have performed every job optimally. They have accurately diagnosed tricky problems and corrected them. They also work very fast and complete jobs in just a couple of days. Don't put up with mechanics that want to keep your car for weeks! I always deal with Art, who is friendly, honest and knowledgeable. I have wasted thousands of dollars on mechanics that did poor quality work. I'm so glad that I now know to go to Spence and Frye for mechanics I can trust!”
dangerrussmetalGoogle Review
J★★★★★
“Spence and Frye GM Specialist is super clean and well origanized. I highly recommand you call Omar and he is a very nice guy, professional and trustworthy. I sent my car to him for the regular maintenance and totally sastified with there services. Thanks Omar!”
Jason SGoogle Review
A★★★★★
“Had some electrical problems on my 06 Yukon Denali. Took it here since they were the only shop to confirm that they had the ability to program a body control module. The new bcm didn't resolve the issue, but I brought the truck back and they performed extensive troubleshooting and got the truck fixed right. I'm not happy about the cost of the repair since it was money that I was saving for vacation, but the truck is repaired correctly and appears to be ok. A lot of my issues was from third party garbage that was improperly installed on the truck. The shops expertise got the issues resolved and while my wallet is a lot lighter, at least it's fixed until the next thing breaks. The shop is clean and the staff is very friendly. They explain everything going on in detail and will follow up with you before any repairs are made. Art even stayed late so I could pick up my truck after the shop closed. I got all of the garbage that they uninstalled to I could see all of the work they did. If I ever have a problem again, I'm going back to these guys as they really know their GM's.”
Arvin P.Yelp Review
T★★★★★
“Really great service, super fair prices, HUGELY appreciated:)! I took mom's car there on the recommendation of my mechanic. I really didn't expect them to repair it without an appointment as they appeared to be quite busy. Art was exceptionally friendly (even though I interrupted his lunch) and said they'd take a look at the car & see what they could do. He gave me a quote and asked if I could wait about an hour. The car was repaired in no time and Art charged me less than he quoted (that never happens!). I dreaded going to a mechanic I was unfamiliar with but this ended up being a pleasant surprise. I can't recommend this business HIGHLY enough! Thanks again for saving the day;)!”
Teresa S.Yelp Review
G★★★★★
“When I first walked into this auto shop, the first thing I noticed were the clean and pressed uniforms worn by all of the technicians. Had a very old school service station vibe. Inside the waiting area, there are certificates of various GM specialty training hanging on the wall. Kind of like a doctor or lawyer has behind their desk, in an effort to relax any anxiety, and create a feeling of safety that comes from expertise. The service itself was very thorough. Clear diagnostics, explanation of services rendered as well as potential problems brewing. As I driver of an older truck, it becomes important to maintain, and use proper replacement parts. I was very happy with the attention to detail that was given. The price is a little high, especially considering it is on a street with dozens of other auto shops. It's what you would pay at a dealership, versus an independent. I winced a little bit at first, but then I drove my truck for months without a problem. Worth the extra nickels. My 2002 Chevy Tahoe loves it here. It's like a spa for a GM vehicle.”
Geoff G.Yelp Review
O★★★★★
“I've been taking both my service vehicles and personal cars to Art at Spence & Frye for over 10 years, since I learned of them from a former employer, who swore by them. My first experience was a quick and successful diagnosis and repair of an ignition problem that had baffled several other mechanics. Since then, I've never regretted my choice for service. Prices are reasonable. Communication is prompt, honest, easy to understand, and not couched in salesmanship. Estimates are accurate. Service is prompt. I recommend Spence & Frye very highly, particularly to owners of GM products and service/fleet vehicles, but they are well versed in other makes as well, foreign and domestic.”
Otto P.Yelp Review
K★★★★★
“I have taken my 2010 Suburban and 1990 Sedan Deville to Art since I found out about them earlier this year. Prices are reasonable but the true benefit is how knowlegable Art is with the GM vehicles and he explains in detail every estimate and diagnostic to you in a way that you can understand so you are not lost and so that you can better understand what the problem is. I have enjoyed my services so far and look forward in taking my cars back to him with any issues. I highly recommend this to anyone with a GM vehicle or any other make for that matter. Keep up the good work Art.”
Klever Z.Yelp Review
J★★★★★
“Spence and Frye GM Specialist is super clean and well origanized. I highly recommand you call Omar and he is a very nice guy, professional and trustworthy. I sent my car to him for the regular maintenance and totally sastified with there services. Thanks Omar!”
Jun S.Yelp Review
H★★★★★
“I have been taking my cars (mostly Buicks and Cadillacs) to Spence & Frye for more than thirty years. Their repair estimates are always accurate and honest, and the prices are reasonable. They have the repairs completed when they say they would be, and Art, the owner, always explains to me what they have done. During routine servicing of my cars, when they find something that might go wrong--like a worn-out hose--they tell me about it first and make the repair before this becomes a major problem. I have complete confidence in Spence & Frye, and Frye, and I would recommend them to anyone.”
Harold S.Yelp Review
R★★★★★
“I have a kit car that has needed a lot of work. It takes real experts because there is almost nothing standard on a kit car. I have been through several mechanics, with disastrous results, and I'm glad I found Spence and Frye! They have done several big jobs for me already and each one was done competently, quickly and at or below the quoted price. I highly recommend them to any GM car owner.”
Russ F.Yelp Review
E★★★★★
“Have to say I was a little worried about going to any mechanic to get my car fixed. This place did come highly recommended so I thought I'll give them a shot. Thank God I did. Art was so knowledgeable, I felt very at ease with him. He walked me through everything and even followed up with updates on my car. When I called them I spoke to Omar who was also very helpful. Service was prompt and prices were reasonable. Several places should take note of their great customer service skills. I highly recommend them.”
Elsa C.Yelp Review
S★★★★★
“I've taken my cars to Spence and Frye for a long time and think of Art (owner) as a friend. Besides being friendly, helpful land honest, the guys are very good at what they do- diagnosing and repairing cars. Shop is always clean and orderly. A word that kind of sums up the way I feel about Spence and Frye is trust. I recommend them highly.”
Steve H.Yelp Review
P★★★★★
“I have had Spence and Frye work on my cars for many years. Their attention to detail and even the occasional follow up phone call after repairs has kept me safe on the road. When I bought a new car, I checked with Art first to make sure that he would be able the vehicle because I didn't want to change repair shops. Good guys, good work!”
Pat B.Yelp Review
C★★★★★
“Spence & Frye has provided service for our family for more than 20 years. (Maybe longer). They are professional, kind, and get the job done right. If you need service for your GM car, Nissan, Saturn or more, I highly recommend Spence & Frye.”
Carla F.Yelp Review
E★★★★★
“Spence & Frye represent the gold standard of independent auto service shops. Art and Omar are top-notch GM experts. They use AC Delco (factory) parts as a default, but tif you ask, they will also use generic aftermarket parts to save you some money, especially if it's something that doesn't really make a difference. (Word to the wise though, some AC Delco parts are truly better quality). Spence & Frye are more expensive to use than most generic automotive shops, but they're way cheaper than the dealer shops, and in my opinion they are better trained, and more customer focused (since service is their only business, and they need repeat customers to survive). I'm an engineer with a lot of automotive maintenance experience, and I research repairs before I have the work done, and I can say for sure that these guys are as good as it gets.”
Spence & Frye GM Specialist is at 1847 E Walnut St in Pasadena, CA 91107. Use our directions link or call (626) 792-2351 if you need help finding the entrance.
What are your business hours?
Spence & Frye GM Specialist is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Contact us before arranging a visit around a holiday.
How do I request an appointment?
Call (626) 792-2351 or use our service inquiry form. Share your vehicle and concerns; the team at Spence & Frye GM Specialist will confirm availability and your service arrangements.
Which GM vehicles do you work on?
Spence & Frye GM Specialist specializes in GM vehicles, including Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer. Tell us the year and model so we can discuss the work needed.
Do you work on other makes and models?
Yes. Alongside our GM specialty, Spence & Frye GM Specialist offers service for other makes and models, including import-vehicle maintenance. Call with your vehicle and requested service to confirm the right arrangements.
Are you an independent repair shop?
Yes. Spence & Frye GM Specialist is an independent automotive service center in Pasadena. We offer an alternative to dealership service with a long background in GM repair.
What should I bring to my service visit?
Bring your vehicle details, mileage, relevant service records and a description of the concern. If warranty coverage may apply, bring the original repair receipt or warranty documents for Spence & Frye GM Specialist to review.
Can I ask about a repair before booking?
Yes. Call (626) 792-2351 to describe your concern to Spence & Frye GM Specialist. An inspection may be needed before the cause, repair scope or price can be established.
What payment cards do you accept?
Spence & Frye GM Specialist accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Contact the shop if you have a question about another payment method.
Do you accept extended warranties?
Spence & Frye GM Specialist accepts extended warranties, including the General Motors Protection Plan. Bring your plan details so coverage and authorization can be checked before covered work proceeds.
What is the ACDelco Consumer Assurance Program?
The program describes limited coverage for qualifying ACDelco products installed by a participating service center, within 24 months or 24,000 miles from the original repair. Keep your receipt and contact Spence & Frye GM Specialist to discuss eligibility and applicable terms.
Is there an offer for first-time customers?
Yes. Spence & Frye GM Specialist offers free trouble code retrieval and consultation for first-time customers. Check the Specials page for the current maintenance coupon and its restrictions; code retrieval is not the same as a complete diagnosis.
Can I leave my keys outside business hours?
Please call (626) 792-2351 before planning an after-hours drop-off. The team at Spence & Frye GM Specialist can confirm current arrangements and how to leave your vehicle and keys securely.
Do you provide a towing service or loaner car?
Contact Spence & Frye GM Specialist before making plans for towing, alternate transportation or a loaner. Availability and arrangements need to be confirmed with the shop.
How long has the business been in Pasadena?
Spence & Frye dates to the mid-1940s. Art joined in 1977 and purchased the business in 1979, expanding its Cadillac background to other General Motors vehicles. Read our About page for the history of Spence & Frye GM Specialist.