Veteran-owned A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs celebrates its grand opening November 14, 2026, in Ocala, Florida. Co-owners Johnny Sierra Jr. and U.S. Army veteran Ed Soto bring over 75 years of combined automotive experience, specializing in high-performance auto repair and custom automotive services.
-- A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs, a new high-performance auto repair shop at 422 SW 16th St. in Ocala, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The veteran-owned business is led by Johnny Sierra Jr. and Ed Soto, who bring more than 75 years of combined experience working with automobiles, including high-performance vehicles and specialized mechanical repairs.
Performance Auto Repair Ocala
The opening gives Ocala-area drivers another local option for automotive work that requires experienced mechanics and a thorough understanding of performance vehicles.
Sierra and Soto are opening the shop with a straightforward goal: provide dependable automotive repairs, give customers accurate information about their vehicles, and build a business known for the quality of its work.
The public is invited to attend Saturday's grand opening, meet the owners, and learn more about the shop.
Decades of Experience Behind the New Business
Experience matters when repairing automobiles, particularly vehicles with modified engines, upgraded components, or mechanical problems that are difficult to diagnose.
High-performance vehicles can present challenges that go beyond those encountered during routine automotive maintenance. Changes to engine components, fuel delivery, ignition systems, and other mechanical systems can affect how a vehicle operates. Identifying the source of a problem often requires understanding how those systems work together.
Sierra and Soto bring more than 75 years of combined automotive experience to their new business. Their background in the industry is an important part of what they hope will distinguish A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs from other repair facilities.
For customers, that experience can make a difference when discussing mechanical problems, evaluating repair recommendations, and deciding how to maintain a performance vehicle.
The owners recognize that customers want more than a completed repair. They want to understand what went wrong, what work is necessary, and whether the mechanic working on their vehicle has the experience to handle the job.
Army Veteran Brings Military Background to Business Ownership
Co-owner Ed Soto is a veteran of the United States Army. His military service is an important part of his background and the values he brings to business ownership.
Soto's partnership with Sierra brings together two experienced automotive professionals who want to establish a long-term business in Ocala.
For Soto, the opening also represents an opportunity to contribute to the local economy as a veteran business owner.
Veteran-owned businesses are an important part of the small-business community. Former service members enter entrepreneurship with experience in responsibility, teamwork, problem-solving, and working under demanding conditions.
At A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs, the owners intend to put those principles into practice through consistent workmanship, professional service, and accountability to their customers.
The business also welcomes the opportunity to serve fellow veterans and military families living in Ocala and throughout Marion County.
A Shop for High-Performance Car Owners
Ocala has an active community of automobile owners, including people who maintain classic cars, build custom vehicles, and invest in performance upgrades.
For these drivers, choosing an automotive repair shop can be especially important.
Performance vehicles may contain aftermarket components or mechanical modifications that require additional knowledge during diagnosis and repair. An issue that appears straightforward can involve several interconnected systems.
A mechanic familiar with these vehicles must consider the complete mechanical condition of the automobile rather than focusing only on the most obvious symptom.
A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs plans to make this type of automotive knowledge a central part of its business.
The owners want customers to feel comfortable bringing their vehicles to a shop where their concerns will be heard and their automobiles will receive careful attention.
Their experience also provides a foundation for helping customers understand the mechanical needs of vehicles that may not fit the typical factory configuration.
Why Specialized Automotive Experience Matters
Modern automobiles have become increasingly complex. Electronic controls, computerized diagnostics, advanced fuel systems, and changing engine technologies have altered the way mechanics identify and repair problems.
Performance modifications can introduce additional variables.
For example, replacing factory components with aftermarket parts may change engine operation or affect the performance of related systems. Proper diagnosis requires more than identifying a trouble code or replacing a suspected component.
Experienced mechanics understand the importance of checking the underlying cause of a mechanical problem before recommending repairs.
That approach is particularly valuable for owners who have invested considerable time and money in their automobiles.
Sierra and Soto believe their combined experience will help them address the concerns of drivers seeking knowledgeable automotive professionals.
They also understand that earning a customer's trust requires clear explanations, realistic recommendations, and work that stands behind the business's reputation.
Grand Opening Set for Saturday, November 14
The owners are inviting Ocala residents, automotive enthusiasts, veterans, and local business owners to visit the new facility during its grand opening celebration.
The event provides an opportunity to meet the people behind the business and learn about their automotive experience.
Grand Opening Details
Business: A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: 422 SW 16th St., Ocala, FL 34471
Owners: Johnny Sierra Jr. and Ed Soto
Public: Community members and automotive enthusiasts are welcome.
The grand opening also gives local vehicle owners a chance to become familiar with the location before scheduling future automotive work.
Looking Ahead in Ocala
Opening an independent automotive repair business requires more than technical ability. Owners must establish relationships, earn referrals, and demonstrate that customers can depend on their work.
Sierra and Soto understand those challenges and are prepared to build their business one customer at a time.
Their immediate priority is introducing A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs to the community and establishing the shop as a reliable option for high-performance automotive repair.
The owners see Ocala as a place where their years of automotive experience can serve a wide range of vehicle owners.
Saturday's grand opening marks the beginning of that effort.
About A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs
A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs is a veteran-owned high-performance automotive repair shop located at 422 SW 16th St., Ocala, Florida 34471. Owned by Johnny Sierra Jr. and U.S. Army veteran Ed Soto, the business brings more than 75 years of combined automotive experience to Ocala and surrounding Central Florida communities. The shop focuses on high-performance automobiles, specialized automotive repairs, and custom automotive work.
Media Contact:
A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs
422 SW 16th St.
Ocala, FL 34471
Grand Opening: November 14, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact Info:
Name: Erica T. Soto
Email: Send Email
Organization: A Spec Auto Specialties & Customs
Address: 422 SW 16th St, Ocala, FL 34471
Phone: (352) 304-3237
Website: https://ocalaautorepairshop.com/
Release ID: 89209519
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