In Memory of: David Tucker o/o The Trany Shop

Dave Tucker owned The Trany Shop in Norval, Ontario. Long time residents remember when it was located in a side unit of the Knolcrest Center in Georgetown many years ago.Dave specialized in transmission and drive train rebuilds, repairs and performance improvements. At the time no one else in Georgetown was doing that kind of specialty performance work. Business grew and eventually his facility expanded to the point where it occupied the front row of units of the block of the plaza, sharing space with Apple Auto Glass and Krown Rust Control. Along the way, Dave indulged in his passion for building hot Mopar machines. I've lost count of the variety of cars parked outside his shop, there were so many. There was the Hemi Orange 1970 RoadRunner 440 hardtop, the silver 1971 cuda 340 hardtop, even a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 hardtop. I didn't even know that was Dave's until I did a story on it when it had been restored many years later. He'd bought it and ended the downward spiral of destruction that car was facing after a list of abusive leadfoots. Luciano Delry of Hamilton bought it later and restored it to former glory.
That 1971 silver 340 cuda was later restored by Alan Gallant in Georgetown. It is now a stunning white with orange and black interior four speed car with factory a/c. Dave's own projects were just as interesting. He had a RoadRunner strip car that he'd been working on for years. He also had a 1971 Challenger hemi hardtop clone that was just gorgeous. I did a photo story on that one when Dave and Lorenzo told me it was finished. I'm sure there were lots of other cars equally deserving of mention but I only had experience with these ones. I remember especially the photo shoot for the Challenger. It was done at the Apple Factory parking lot one spring evening. Dave and I went there and I climbed up the frame of an old windmill to get a picture of the Challenger from above. The white vinyl top and hood decals looked so nice I wanted everyone to see it. Dave held onto the tower when it started creaking until I got a decent pic. On the way home, he showed me what the modified 426 hemi was capable of. A very memorable ride indeed. A year or so later,Dave bought the former Texaco gas station in Norval and moved his business into the shop. Dave and family lived in the house next door. It was a dream set up that ended commuting to and from work. I always dropped by to see what new project cars Dave or Lorenzo were working on. Dave always had time to talk to me. The work he did on my Turbo Trans Am transmission was great. Everything from a new flexplate and rebuilt transmission with a shift kit. That car got rubber anytime I wanted it.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. This one came a lot sooner than any of us wanted. Dave passed away in his 47th year on December 6th, 2008. We will miss him but the memories will remain forever.