Get to Know Us at Acclaim Car & Truck Repair

Founded in 1973 as American Transmissions, Acclaim Car and Truck Repair emerged as Scottsdale’s pioneering transmission shop. Over time, our expertise expanded, transforming us into a hub for antique and classic car and truck restoration and customization.

Acclaim Car & Truck Repair has been a Scottsdale staple since 1973, built on honest work, real craftsmanship, and a deep respect for classic vehicles. For decades, the shop was led by transmission masters Ken Tully and Richard (Rich) Buck, whose expertise and old-school techniques helped establish the reputation Acclaim carries today. After nearly 50 years in the industry, both Ken and Rich are beginning their well-earned retirement — still close by for guidance, but finally getting to enjoy a slower pace after a lifetime under the hood.

Most people don’t know the full history behind Acclaim — how it evolved from a small specialty shop into the classic-car repair and restoration shop it is today.

Ken and Rich first met while working at a transmission shop, long before either of them ever imagined owning a business together. Both were exceptionally talented with transmissions, and after some time Ken stepped away to pursue a different business model. That path led him to American Transmission, one of Scottsdale’s oldest and most respected transmission shops — a shop that had already survived industry changes, recessions, and eventually even a pandemic.

It didn’t take long for Ken to build a name for himself there. Work picked up fast, and he needed someone he could trust by his side. Naturally, he called Rich. The two worked so well together that they soon decided American Transmission had the potential to grow into something even bigger. They began the process of purchasing the business and steering it into its next chapter.

Over the years, the shop transformed — expanding from transmissions only into classic and antique vehicle repair, drivetrain work, and full mechanical restoration. During this time, a few employees came and went, but no one was more dedicated or eager to learn the trade than Rich’s son, Dave Buck. Dave grew up in the shop, starting as a kid sweeping floors and eventually learning the craft hands-on from two of the best.

Today, Acclaim focuses on the vehicles that built American car culture: 1950s–1980s classics, muscle cars, vintage 4x4s, and specialty builds.

With more than 25 years in the shop, Dave’s journey hasn’t been a straight line — and that’s part of what makes him so well-rounded. When work slowed down in his younger years, he spent time gaining experience at other auto shops around the Valley. He even stepped completely outside the automotive world to serve as a wildland firefighter, spending seasons on the fire line, building a work ethic and calm-under-pressure mindset that still shows in everything he does.

But no matter where he went, Dave’s love for classics always pulled him back home. Eventually he returned to Acclaim full-time, becoming a true master of drivetrain work, fabrication, and vintage mechanical restoration. In January 2025, Dave stepped into ownership alongside his wife, Michelle, officially taking Acclaim into its next generation.

Michelle runs the front office, customer communication, parts sourcing, scheduling, and the organized chaos that keeps the shop moving — but she’s a lifelong car girl at heart. One of only two girls in her high-school auto program, she’s been elbows-deep in engines since day one. Her first classic was a 1979 Buick Riviera, and that car sparked her passion for old-school style and vintage V8 power. Like many gearheads, she still has a dream car on her bucket list: a 1970 Chevelle.

Today, Acclaim is still family-owned and operated, carrying forward the foundation Ken and Rich built while ushering in a new era of classic-car service. Dave and Michelle are committed to maintaining the shop’s reputation for honesty, detailed craftsmanship, and no-nonsense repair — always treating each customer’s car like it’s their own.

Whether you’re maintaining a vintage cruiser, restoring a family heirloom, or keeping your late-model daily driver dependable, Acclaim remains dedicated to preserving the past and powering the future.