The industry lost a pioneer on May 19. Car care pioneer Lucille Treganowan passed away in Pittsburgh at the age of 92. With three children to support, Treganowan took an office job in an automotive shop in 1960. She eventually learned the ins and outs of transmissions and opened Transmissions By Lucille in 1973.
She began providing vehicle maintenance tips aimed at women with a series of TV spots called “Powder Puff Mechanics.” She later hosted a Home & Garden Network show called “Lucille’s Car Care Clinic” and made a guest appearance on an episode of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” show.
In the early 1990s, Treganowan was a shop management seminar speaker at Trans Expo. She authored the book, “Car Care: Everything You Need to Know from Under the Hood,” in 1996, embarking on a nationwide tour of promotional appearances.
Her Pittsburgh shop, Transmissions By Lucille, was sold to new owners in 2007 and continues to operate under its original name.
