Because you've been searching your whole life for an honest mechanic. Because at Black Bear, we have a proven track-record of serving our neighbors with reliable service. Because we not only care about our customers, we also care about the environment, which is why we run our garage cleaner than your car, burning our waste oil and fluids to heat our building, releasing zero hydrocarbon emissions.

You can count on us for:

• Complete Foreign & Domestic Automobile and Truck Repair
• ASE Certified Technicians
• Custom Exhaust Pipe Bending
• Exhaust System Repair & Replacement
• Automatic & Manual Transmission Service
• Brake and Fuel Injection Service
• Steering, Suspension, Shocks, & Struts
• Tires and Computerized Wheel Balancing
• Car Care Club
• Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Courtesy Rides Available (10 mile radius)
• Referral Program - refer a friend and get a $10 coupon for next service
• Free service for New Customers!
• Black Bear is an environmental friendly garage
  • We burn our waste oil and most vehicle fluids to heat our building
  • Zero Hydrocarbon Emission, so no pollution
  • 150 times cleaner than the exhaust of a new automobile.
  • We run our garage cleaner then your car.

Barry Balaban, the owner and manager of Black Bear Auto LLC, has more than 20 years of experience in auto repair and sales. Barry started working on cars in his senior year of high school. He found that he was challenged by both the intellectual rigor of car repair and the enjoyment of how they worked as machines.

After high school, Barry enrolled in the General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (ASEP) through a community college in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He graduated with a degree in Automotive and Electronics Curriculum, and continued his education at Central Connecticut State University. He joined the Connecticut Army National Guard for further mechanical training on small vehicles and large trucks.

After six years of service, Barry left the military as a Second Lieutenant. He went on to manage a few small garages and used car dealerships. He always wanted to open his own business and an opportunity came along he could not pass up. Black Bear Auto opened in May 1998 on Broad Street in Bristol, Connecticut. Eight years later, the company relocated to 56 Frederick Street.

Barry is a member of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Automotive Service Association, National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and National Write Your Congressman.

Barry and the staff at Black Bear Auto pride themselves on HONEST auto repair and excellent customer service.