Temple Motors opened a used cars division in the Banford & Newsome Bldg. on Pacific Avenue on March 1, 1953. The building formerly had housed various tire companies. According to their many signs, Temple Motors offered easy terms for purchasing one of their vehicles as well as paying cash for the customer's trade-in. Temple Motors was owned by Henry G. Geissler and Ed M. Williams. They were a Studebaker dealership whose main location was on Saint Helens. View of Temple Motors, Used Cars division; four cars are parked in the two open garage doorways. Photograph ordered by Henry Geissler. (TPL-6384)
Temple Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);
Munson-Smith Motors, located on South Tacoma Way, sold both new and used Dodge and Plymouth vehicles. They offered a wide variety of models in their large parking lot; cars were parked neatly in rows with plenty of room for customers to walk around them for inspection. Munson-Smith was open in the evenings for those who could not stop by in the daytime; visibility was not a problem with the many bright lights dotting the facility. Photograph ordered by Ed Munson.
Munson-Smith Motors was a Dodge and Plymouth dealership located on South Tacoma Way. Owned and operated by the Munson family, Ed, Alberta and Donald, they sold Dodge and Plymouth passenger cars and Dodge job-rated trucks, both new and used. Munson-Smith had its grand opening in July, 1946. View of Munson-Smith Motors taken at night on March 18, 1953; rows of vehicles in brightly lit parking lot. Photograph ordered by Ed Munson.
Besides selling new Dodge and Plymouth vehicles, Munson-Smith Motors had a large used car lot. A sign on one of their buildings advised you could safely "Buy With An Open Eye" at their dealership. Munson-Smith was also authorized to repair and sell Dodge parts at their South Tacoma Way facility. View of Munson-Smith car lot on a rainy day in March, 1953, with cars reflected on the wet pavement.
A new 1953 DeSoto Firedome convertible is on display at the Winthrop Motor Company's Saint Helens Avenue location in May, 1953. The Firedome, with V-8 engine and expanded trunk size, is surrounded by rhododendrons supplied by the Tacoma Rhododendron Society. The Rhododendron Society was using the DeSoto and Plymouth dealership's showroom for a flower show with a varied assortment of rhododendrons and supplemental greenery.
Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Convertible automobiles; DeSoto automobile; Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Tacoma Rhododendron Society display at Winthrop Motor Company, Plymouth and De Soto dealers. 1953 De Soto advertising displays, including a medallion bearing the likeness of Hernando De Soto, on the walls..
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Plymouth / De Soto Dealers - Winthrop Motor Company Organizations - Clubs - Garden Clubs - Tacoma Rhododendron Society
Steven Motor Co. used car lot at 6910 South Tacoma Way. Floyd N. Steven, manager. An ad in the 7/15/1953 Tribune, pg. D-5, stated that business had been so good that the lot was now short on used cars. Steven Motor Co. would now offer an "over allowance" on used cars traded in for new Chryslers or Plymouths at the new car lot. Their slogan was "We sell high quality used cars."
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. exterior, for the Condon Co. This facility was considered to be one of the most complete automotive centers in the U.S. Founded in 1916 at 8th and A, the company was still run by the Mueller family. In September of 1953, negotiations were underway to sell the family owned business to a Seattle automobile man. Effective October 1, 1953, the new owner was identified as E.H. (Gene) Brus, a prominent Seattle automobile man since 1921. (TNT 9/14/1953, pg. 1 & TNT 10/4/1953, pg. B5-B7)
Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency. Staff group photo on roof parking lot; building's pylon sign in background. Medical Arts, now Tacoma Municipal, building visible at far left in photo. In October of 1953, The Muellers retired and sold their company to E.H. (Gene) Brus from Seattle. The other founding owner Leo W. Harkins had retired in 1931. There was no change in personnel or policies, but the company now became Brus Buick Co. Brus would also take over the used car lot at 8th and Tacoma Ave. (TNT 10/4/1953, pg. B-6 - B-7)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Brus Buick Co. (Tacoma);
Herb Satterlee Motor Company's repair shop. Several 1940s and 50s Packards in work area, signs promote services. Satterlee sold and serviced Packards and British Austins. The company was owned by Herb F. Satterlee, who served as president, with Herb Jr. as secretary-treasurer. The company did body and paint work, auto glass, mechanical servicing and tailored seat covers at this location.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Packard automobile; Herb Satterlee Motors (Tacoma);
Herb Satterlee Motor Company's repair shop. Satterlee dealt in the sales and service of Packards and British Austins. One 1940s and one 1950s Packards are in lubrication area. In the background are signs promoting service, tool cabinets, various tanks for oil and grease and a rack of tires. Herb F. Satterlee was president with Herb Satterlee Jr. serving as secretary-treasurer. Body and paint work, auto glass and tailored seat covers were done at this location. Used cars were also sold. Parking & storage was available at 924 Court C.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Packard automobile; Herb Satterlee Motors (Tacoma);
Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan met with Tacoma heavyweight boxer Pat McMurtry and his brother, Mike (far right), outside Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury at 124 Tacoma Avenue on June 9, 1954. Mr. Sullivan was in town to help lay the cornerstone for the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital at 311 South L Street. He was guest speaker at the ceremony and later attended a large celebratory luncheon at the Masonic Temple. ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); McMurtry, Pat; McMurtry, Mike;
Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan is welcomed to Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue South after his arrival on June 9, 1954, for the laying of the cornerstone on the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan received a TPD motorcycle escort and a ride in a new convertible courtesy of Mr. Ridge's dealership. Ray Ridge is on the right in the light suit; man shaking hands with Mr. Sullivan is tentatively identified as Judge George Boldt. Mr. Ridge, Mr. Sullivan and Judge Boldt would be among the honored guests at a 1500 person celebration of the new hospital held at the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Shaking hands--Tacoma;
In June of 1954, television host and columnist Ed Sullivan flew out to the Puget Sound region to make a series of personal appearances. On Sunday June 9th at 10:15 a.m. he signed autographs at Ray Ridge Motors, 124 Tacoma Avenue So. He then was provided a police motorcycle escort to 3rd and "L" where at 11:00 a.m., he helped Mayor Tollefson lay the cornerstone for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. In this photograph, Ed Sullivan, the host of "Toast of the Town," signs an autograph for an unidentified young girl as an Army officer looks on at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury. Others await their turn for Mr. Sullivan's signature. ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma;
Arrival of television host and columnist Ed Sullivan at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury at 124 Tacoma Avenue So. for a personal appearance in June, 1954. Mr. Sullivan's very popular variety television show of the 1950s is noted for introducing many new entertainers. Standing next to Mr. Sullivan is dealership owner Ray H. Ridge. His Lincoln-Mercury automobile dealership opened in 1946. It closed after his death in 1964. TPL-140 ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray;
Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan signs autographs for delighted youngsters at the Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue during a personal appearance on June 9, 1954. Framed Norman Rockwell print of Henry, Edsel and Henry Ford II, issued for the Ford Golden Anniversary in 1953, on wall. Dealership owner Ray Ridge and former Tacoma mayor John Anderson look on with smiles. Mr. Sullivan, host of a popular variety show, was in Tacoma for the laying of the cornerstone of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Elvis Presley and the Beatles would make their television debuts on his program. ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Anderson, John H.; Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Tacomans of all ages wait their turn to meet television host and columnist Ed Sullivan and to get his autograph at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue during a personal appearance on June 9, 1954. While waiting they can check out the new 1954 Mercurys in the showroom. For 23 years, America invited Ed Sullivan into their homes on Sunday evenings for shows that featured opera, rock music, comedic acts, ballet and dramatic readings, often on the same telecast. The show's name changed from "Toast of the Town" to simply "The Ed Sullivan Show" in September, 1955. Mr. Sullivan's famous saying was "We have a 'really big shew' for you." The former journalist with the awkward wooden delivery also had a sentimental side which appeared in his conversations with the Italian mouse, Topo Gigio, and in his continuing press for more children's medical facilities. He was in Tacoma for the cornerstone ceremony at the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan signs autographs and chats with fans at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue during a personal appearance. Mr. Sullivan flew in on June 9, 1954, specifically for the cornerstone laying of the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. He delivered an address at the ceremony in which he remarked "This will always be my memory of Tacoma, one of human values and sacrifice." (TNT 6-9-54, p. 1) ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Crowd waiting for appearance of television host and columnist Ed Sullivan at Ray Ridge Motors on June 9, 1954. Sullivan made a brief publicity stop at the dealership prior to taking part in the cornerstone laying ceremonies for the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Four Tacoma Police Department motorcycles await their riders; they are parked in front of a convertible in which Mr. Sullivan will be transported. There is a small banner welcoming Mr. Sullivan on the automobile. ALBUM 7.
Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Motorcycles--Tacoma; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);
Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, general view from Broadway. New Chrysler in showroom window, neon signs, used car department. Medical Arts building can be seen behind the Stevens structure. Building was also known as the Griggs building and was built in 1917.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with 13 men and one woman posing by fleet of new "Ranch Wagon" 2 door station wagons. Neon and painted signs on facade of Elizabethan style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926. TPL-10140
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ford automobile;
Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with fleet of new "Ranch Wagon" 2 door station wagons. People standing by each automobile. Neon and painted signs on facade of Elizabethan style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ford automobile;
Munson-Smith Motors dedicated its 100,000 square foot motor center August 19-20, 1955. Its vast used car and truck lots can be seen on the left, with the new car show rooms, service garage and administrative offices on the right. Munson-Smith was a Dodge and Plymouth dealer located between downtown Tacoma and South Tacoma on Highway 99. They offered both sales and service. Company officers were Ed Munson, president; Don Munson, vice-pres. and Alberta Smith, secretary-treasurer. The company had 65 employees and an annual payroll of over $300,000. Gross sales were approximately 2 1/2 million per year. (TNT 8/18/1955, pg. 11)
Mallon Motor Company, staff banquet held at the Tacoma Club celebrating the dealership's receipt of Ford Motor Company's "4 Letter Award" for the 1955 model year. The award was presented each year to the dealer that qualified in the following classifications: sound finances, management efficiency and completely modern facilities. The dinner was hosted by Robert Mallon who served as Master of Ceremonies. Tommy Mallon, the President of Mallon Motors, is seated to the far right of the picture; to his left is Abel Rigney, Mallon Sales Manger; to his left is J.C. Hogue, Ford's Field Manager; standing directly behind Mallon is C.J. Powell, Ford's District Sales Manager. The man standing third from the right in the back row has been identified as Harold Nutley. (TNT 3/11/1956, pg. A-6)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Mallon, Thomas; Rigney, Abel;
Mallon Motor Co.; new school bus for St. Martins College. A large bus intended for use by the athletic teams of St. Martins College in Olympia stands beside the showroom for Mallon Motors. The front of the bus has "Rangers" in big, bold letters.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ford automobile;
Crowds gather in the sales room of Mallon Motor Company to admire the new 1957 Fords. The car in the right front of the photo is a '57 model Ford Fairlane. What appears to be a station wagon can be seen in the background. Long and sleek and sized for comfort in these days of inexpensive gasoline, the back of the cars still have fins, the fronts are long and house V-8 engines. The passenger cars of 1957 represented the biggest change in the modern history of the Ford car. The new cars were longer and lower and for the first time offered in two basic sizes, the Fairlane and the custom. Nineteen different models were offered. The Fairlanes were 9 inches longer and 4 inches lower than the 1956 model with increased head room. Other basic changes were wide hooded headlights, forward slanting grille, windshields that wrapped farther around the sides and the distinctive rear fender fins slanting slightly outward to emphasize contoured sides. Also, for the first time the high performance V-8 engine was available as an optional power plant on all Ford cars. (TNT 10/1/1956, pg. 3; 10/2/1956, pg. 4)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ford automobile;
The sidewalks were packed on March 1, 1957, as potential car buyers streamed into Steven Motor Co.'s open house. Local residents were asked to "look around" at all the different used cars for sale to see how much money they could save that evening. Convenient terms to suit each individual buyer could be arranged. Steven Motor Co. was a Chrysler and Plymouth dealership, selling both used and new cars. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.
Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Car shopping was truly a family affair in the 1950's. At their open house on March 1, 1957, Steven Motor Co. gave out balloons to the youngsters while their parents scrutinized the "best used car deal in town!" Steven Motor Co. was owned by Everett T. Steven. The long-time Chrysler and Plymouth dealership had three locations: the pictured sales & service center at 738 Broadway, a repair department on Saint Helens and their used car lot at 37th and South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.
Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac opened a used car center near their dealership on South Tacoma Way in July, 1957. Several late model vehicles are angle parked close to the building. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac's dealership, owned and operated by Don Rowland, was formerly the location of Irwin-Jones Motor Co., dealers in Pontiacs and Dodges. View of used car lot and building; large signs inform drivers on busy South Tacoma Way of the company's phone number, address, and purpose of business. Photograph ordered by Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac.
Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Used Car Center (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
ca. 1957. Rowland Pontiac - Cadillac dealership. New Cadillacs in showroom, used Pontiacs, Cadillacs and other automobiles in carport area and outside. Neon service sign, moved here from Commerce St. side of old downtown location, at far right in photo. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac was located on South Tacoma Way, the city's "auto row." Irwin-Jones Motor Co.'s Truck Department was the former occupant of this site.
