Siphorus L. Gates opened Si's Super Service gas station at 524 South Stadium Way in 1959. The short-lived station was built into a notch in the high bluff on the west side of Stadium Way. To the left of Si's in this photograph from August of 1959 is the back of the University Union Club, 529 Broadway. The Union Club was built in 1888 with a Greco Colonial design by Whidden & Lewis. TPL-10142
Si's Super Service Gas Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);
Steven Motor Co. in their new location at 2705 South Tacoma Way. Steven Motors was the Plymouth and Valiant dealer and had formerly been located in downtown Tacoma on Broadway. Everett T. Steven was the president of the sales and service company. Steven had 50 years experience in the automotive business. He started out with Harold Gilliam as Gilliam & Steven at 733 St. Helens in 1916. Prior to that partnership, Steven had worked at Pacific Car Company as a youngster, polishing the brass on new cars. New Plymouth automobiles can be seen in the showroom window and on the lot. The dealership was 2 1/2 acres with a 350 foot frontage on South Tacoma Way and 600 feet deep. The showroom had 3,000 square feet of floor space with 16 foot high glass windows on 2 1/3 sides. Above the showroom was a conference room and coffee bar, behind the showroom sales offices were the parts department and shop area. (TNT 11/4/1959, section A)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, general view of the showroom at their new South Tacoma location. New Plymouth Fury hardtop at left in photo, station wagon at right. To the left of the photo are cubicles, probably holding the desks of the sales agents. To the right of the photo is a stand up cardboard cut out of Steve Allen advertising "The Steve Allen Plymouth Show." Behind and to the left of the cut out is the parts department; the shop area can be seen through the open space at the back of the office. Located above the offices, that were behind the doors in the back wall, were a conference room and a coffee bar. The approximately 3000 square foot showroom had 16 foot high glass windows on 2 1/3 sides. It was one of the finest Chrysler Corporation dealerships on the West Coast. The dealership was also one of two local dealers of the Valiant, the 101 horsepower, 6 cylinder family sized economy car. (TNT 11/4/1959, section A)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Steven Motor Company, Plymouth and Valiant dealers, general view of their new location. New Plymouths can be seen in the showroom window and on the lot. Owner Everett Steven had over 50 years in the automotive business, beginning in 1916 as a partner to Harold Gilliam of Gilliam & Steven.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
ca. 1959. Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile Inc. In 1958, Munson Motors became Russ Dunmire. The company sold and serviced Oldsmobiles. Here uniformed employees are in training about 10:30 in the morning studying slide projections of a late Fifties Olds motor part. President of the company was Russell Dunmire.
Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Frank Kimmerly, an employee of Sam's Tire Service, operates a Bean Visualiner on January 24, 1960, to align the front end of one of a fleet of trucks belonging to the Cammarano Brothers bottlers. The devise shows, by means of an optical light ray system, a graphic picture of the exact wheel alignment of a car or truck. Sam's Tire Service had a huge covered work area for truck tire service. Several of the largest trucks and trailers could be worked on at the same time. Sam's Tire Service had been at its 120 Puyallup Avenue address for many years. They celebated the grand opening of a new brake and front end service building and the modernization of the entire plant in early 1960. Owned by Sam Pupo and managed by his son, Frank, Sam's was well known for its tire and recapping service. (TNT 2-25-60, B-5-article, B-6-photograph)
Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, general view of agency. Neon signs on building and posts, new Plymouths in showroom window and on outdoor lot, used car department beyond. Steven Motor Co. was located at 2705 South Tacoma Way. It would once again add Chrysler to the company's Plymouth-Valiant sales and service facilities in 1962. Armand Moceri was the manager and Everett Steven, president. (TNT ad 1-1-62, B-12,13)
Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Osborne-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, general view of dealership. This September, 1962, photograph shows new Pontiacs in showroom, Cadillacs and other automobiles in carport area. Chair-link fencing set up in front of showroom windows. The 1625 South Tacoma Way address had previously been the location of the Irwin-Jones Motor Co. Truck Department until 1954 and the Rowland Pontiac Cadillac Center until 1957. Osborn-McCann moved to Fife in 2004 after 46 years in Tacoma. TPL-9230
Osborn-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pontiac automobile; Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Osborne-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, view of service lot from the northwest. Many 1950s to early 1960s automobiles are parked in back of the dealership. Cars were still quite large and roomy at that time. There is a motorcycle trike with company name on it in the rear and a Cadillac Coupe de Ville with front body damage at right center. TPL-9231
Osborn-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobiles--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Boyd Motor Company, Rambler agency, general view of dealership. New Ramblers in front of building, advertising banners in windows, used car lot in background
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Nash / Rambler Dealers - Boyd Motor Company
South Tacoma Chevrolet opened a used car division at 6001 South Tacoma Way in 1964. View of inventory, small office building, tidy landscaping. Their new Motor Mall was located on paved lots totaling nearly 40,000 square feet. Sam Price was the manager of the used car lot. The contemporary styled building was designed by architect William Hocking and was decorated with bamboo trees and other Asian plantings. A large ad placed in the News Tribune on January 30, 1964, indicated that South Tacoma Chevrolet's fine used cars carried the famous Chevrolet "OK" used car warranty ensuring complete inspection, reconditioning, and thorough servicing. (TNT 1-30-64, C-3, Ad D-7)
South Tacoma Chevrolet (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobiles--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac, Olympia, detailed view of A-framed showroom taken on May 21, 1964. Naturalistic landscaping, gluelam beams anchored in water feature, Cadillac in window, abstract mural and service wing in background. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac agency, Olympia, Washington. 1964 Pontiac Catalina parked under wooden carport type roof, A-frame structure in background is believed to be agency's showroom. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaueser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia); Pontiac automobile;
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac agency, Olympia, general view of dealership. Shed-roofed service wing with Pontiac and Cadillac in the bays and abstract mural on exterior wall to left in photo, A-frame showroom with two 1964 Pontiacs in windows at right. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia)
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac agency, Olympia, general view of A-frame showroom with two 1964 Pontiacs in windows, naturalistic landscaping with water feature in foreground. This May, 1964, photograph of an automobile dealership was a far cry from the stark car lots normally seen in larger cities. The A-frame wooden structure with multiple glass windows and the freshly landscaped surroundings would present a more soothing atmosphere in which to view cars. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac, Olympia. May 21, 1964, night view of A-frame showroom. Water feature in foreground, Cadillac and Pontiac Bonneville convertible, second level balcony, artwork and electric candelabra visible through glass gable end. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac agency, Olympia, interior view of service area. Mechanic works on a Cadillac Sedan de Ville on May 21, 1964. Pontiac T-34 and Tempest convertible are on lift racks in background. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia); Mechanics (Persons)--Olympia;
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac, Olympia. Man in bow tie, glasses and Cadillac blazer, possibly owner Dick Lewis, leans on fender of a Cadillac on May 21, 1964. A-frame showroom in background. He is also pictured with a small child near a pond on dealership property in D141760-54. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Cadillac automobile; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac, Olympia, May, 1964, interior view of second floor waiting room under steep pitched ceiling of natural wood. Modernistic furniture clashes with colonial smoking stands and wall lights. Room overlooks showroom and glass gable end. The car showroom was built in an A-frame style, befitting the exterior's extensive natural landscaping. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);
Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac, Olympia, dealership. Naturalistic landscaping, water features, A-frame showroom. Two Pontiac Catalinas, a Grand Prix and a Bonneville convertible in foreground, other automobiles on lot include a Studebaker Hawk. Photograph was taken on May 21, 1964. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);
Elevated view of Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac dealership in Olympia in May, 1964. Atypical of most car lots, this dealership had a very expansive, nature-oriented atmosphere. The large A-frame showroom blends with the precise landscaping including a large pond and trees scattered around the premises. Potential customers could stroll about the dealership on well-manicured grass and paved driveways. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co. TPL-8156
Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);
South Tacoma Motor Company, three men around a desk in office. South Tacoma Motor Co. was an authorized Chevrolet dealership located in the 5600 block of South Tacoma Way. The company had been at the same site since 1924. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company, service area. Mechanic works under the hood of a 1968 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop with 307 - V8 engine. Chevrolet pickups in extreme foreground and beyond Impala, other automobiles in background. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Chevrolet trucks; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company's second showroom with customers admiring 1968 Chevrolets. Clockwise from left: Impala 4-door sedan with 327 V8 engine, Camaro RS-327 convertible, Camaro SS-350. Sales personnel are on hand to answer questions; cubicles are nearby to close the deal. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company, general view of dealership. Vintage Chevrolet roadster in showroom and banner promoting 1968 Chevrolets attract the attention of a small party of three. The dealership was established at 56th & South Tacoma Way in 1924. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company, outdoor view. Customer and salesman approach 1968 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop with 327 V8 for a test drive. Another Impala is parked at curb. North Pacific Bank is across the street. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company, view of showroom. Customers admire 1968 Chevrolets: Chevelle 4-door in foreground, Nova SS at left center, two Impalas at right. Vintage Chevrolet roadster, believed to be a 1914 Royal Mail, in left background. Bob's Burger Barn can be spotted through the dealership's large windows across the street in the Food King Supermarket parking lot. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit. TPL-6546
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970;
On January 4, 1968, prospective car buyers milled around the showroom of South Tacoma Motor Company, at 5602-08 South Tacoma Way, admiring the new 1968 Chevrolets. An employee pointed out the fine workmanship of the Camaro SS-350 to a prospective buyer, a military man in dress uniform. Another salesman chatted with a young woman who was testing the passenger seat of a Camaro RS-327 convertible. Also pictured was the new Impala 4-door sedan with 327 V-8 engine. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit. TPL-10261
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Military personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;
South Tacoma Motor Company, four men around a desk in office. It is not clear whether or not final paperwork is being processed for a sale. South Tacoma Motor Company was a Chevrolet dealership which had been a longtime fixture on South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970;
