Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company, service area. Several 1940s and early 1950s Pontiacs and Cadillacs undergoing repair. The man on the left is working on the brakes of an automobile.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma);

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company's body shop area. Several 1940's and early 1950's Pontiacs are undergoing body damage repair by staff.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

A view of Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company from southeast of the rear (Commerce Street) facade showing the service entrance for heavy repair work. A neon "Pontiac Cadillac Service" sign hangs perpendicular to the building and other signs have been painted on building facade.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac's service area with several Pontiacs and Cadillacs, Green Cross safety banners, Pontiac, Prestone and General Tire advertising signs, a tire department on left, parts department to right, and the cashier's counter at rear. TPL-8151

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

Two enlisted men are shopping for a good deal in a used car at Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company. Mulligan's advertised $1 million in cars for returned veterans. TPL-943

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military personnel--Tacoma;

Five new Buicks, part of a fleet of nine for the Murphy-Campbell Co., Caterpiller distributors of Tacoma and Centralia, are parked in front of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency at 455 Saint Helens Avenue in November of 1952. Murphy-Campbell leased the new Buicks through the Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company, who bought Buicks from Mueller-Harkins. The automobiles would be used by the company's salesmen and executives to service their customers in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8-ads)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma);

Murphy-Campbell Caterpiller Company, the new Southwest Washington distrubutor for Caterpillar Tractor, was one of the many progressive firms in Tacoma leasing cars through Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company. To help salemen and executives cover territories with speed, comfort and efficiency, Murphy-Campbell chose nine Buicks from Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency and two Cadillacs. Frank J. Murphy was president of Murphy-Campbell. Bernard C. Campbell was vice president and Robert L. Brown served as secretary. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8)

Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma;

Representatives of Murphy-Campbell Caterpiller Company of Tacoma and Centralia accept the keys to their fleet of nine new Buicks from Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency. The Buicks were purchased by the Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company and leased by Murphy-Campbell. A Texaco sign can be seen on the roof of Mueller-Harkins' service marquee. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma;

The Buick Product School is in session at Mueller-Harkins in the glassed-in round room on their building's top level in November, 1952. Several men learn about the new Buick V8 by watching a demonstration using a partly disassembled motor on an engine stand. Sun Equipment Company's test equipment lines the curved wall.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vocational education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies;

Searchlights pierce the darkness of a winter evening as they beckon drivers to the new Shell Service Station at South Twenty Sixth Street and Pacific Avenue on December 6, 1952. Owned by Jesse C. McGee and Kenneth T. Baker, the gas station was actually located at 2523 Pacific Avenue. It celebrated its grand opening in early December with free giveaways. This view of the exterior of the new station was taken from across the street. The station, with the company name aglow in neon, apparently had four pumps and a small repair facility. Photograph ordered by Shell Oil. (TNT 12-4-52, D-3--ad)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Twenty Sixth & Pacific Shell Service (Tacoma); Searchlights--Tacoma; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A new 1953 Ford automobile is tilted up on a stand to show its underside in Titus Motor Company's showroom in December, 1952. Framed picture of automobile on wall above proclaims the 1953 Ford model the "new standard of the American road". Pennants hanging from ceiling point out desirable features of the new model. Large flower displays on stands add to the room's decor. There are also car accessories against the wall in addition to a tire and car rims.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma;

Uniformed mechanics were presented with service buttons at the Allen Motor Company on South Tacoma Way Christmas Eve, 1952. Allen Motor Company were authorized Studebaker dealers. Advertising announcing new 1952 Studebakers is painted on the large plate glass windows; there is also a neon "Commander" sign on adjacent window. The man in white coveralls in the second row, second from the right, is Scotty Gordon.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A display of Mobil tire products was set up at the New Yorker in early January, 1953. Specific tires for snow, truck & bus, commercial and consumer usage were labeled for easy differentiation. A poster indicating that no money down was required at the time of purchase; a customer could take up to six months to pay off the tires. At least four chairs are facing the display; presumably, there would be a presentation extolling the virtues of Mobil products. Photograph ordered by General Petroleum Corp.

Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma);

Admiring crowds gather around a South Tacoma Motor Company salesman extolling the features of the new 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hardtop. He holds the passenger door invitingly open so the onlookers can check out the car's interior. South Tacoma Motor Company was owned by C.W. Wallerich and was a Chevrolet car and truck dealership.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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 (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Dodge automobile; Dodge trucks;

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.

Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Dodge automobile; Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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.

Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Dodge automobile; Dodge trucks; Signs (Notices);

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

It appears that Harry Carollo of Auburn has just taken over ownership of the new Shell station at 2520 South Tacoma Way in June, 1953. A Shell dealer training school truck is parked outside the station's garage. Mr. Carollo's name hangs proudly on a sign on the plate glass window listing him as the proprietor. A large sign indicating that the station cleaned windshields is prominently placed in the circular office building attached to the garage. Another sign indicates that Shell is the "most powerful gasoline your car can use." The site was listed in the 1953 City Directory as a Firestone store; by 1954, it had both Harry's Firestone and Harry's Shell Station at the same address. Liberty Drive-In had opened a restaurant at that location in 1946 but had apparently moved since then.

Harry's Shell Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Auto Parts north show window after dark, featuring products manufactured by General Motors. Pictured are products with the brand names of Hyatt, Delco, Moraine, Rochester, Saginaw and Packard.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);

Exterior of new service station, Friendly Franks Serv-Ur-Self, ordered by Fletcher Oil Co. The station is offering free gas for its Grand Opening Friday & Saturday. The brand of the gasoline is Veltex. Uncommon in the fifties, the self service station kept prices low by offering no attendants to pump gas.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of new service station, Friendly Franks Serv-Ur-Self, ordered by Fletcher Oil Co. The station is offering free gas for its Grand Opening Friday & Saturday. The brand of the gasoline is Veltex. The larger building at the rear was most probably the automotive shop. The smaller unit in the center of the pumps most probably held a cashier. Flag streamers flap in the air to call attention to the Grand Opening. Not yet a common sight in the fifties, self service stations were making their mark by offering lower prices.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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)

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Brus Buick Co. (Tacoma);

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);

National Auto Parts at 40th & Pacific. Employees pose with a large sign advertising U.S.I. permanent ethylene glycol anti-freeze, "the world's safest anti-freeze." William C. Johnston was President-manager of the store and Merle C. Johnston was Secretary-treasurer. The company sold parts for all makes of cars. U.S.I. anti-freeze contained more ethylene glycol than other brands, plus special inhibitors to stop rust, corrosion and clogging. TPL-5473

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

National Auto Parts window, 40th & Pacific. William C. Johnston was President-manager and Merle C. Johnston was Secretary-treasurer. The company sold parts for all makes of cars. This display window features a "get your vehicle ready for winter" theme, with U.S.I. & Super Pyro antifreeze and "Claw" tire chains. U.S.I. billed itself as the "world's safest antifreeze."

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

Night scene of Wolford and Brazeau Shell service station at the intersection of 6th Ave. & Sprague. The station was owned by Arnold H. Wolford and Vernon F. Brazeau. All proceeds of gasoline sales on October 17, 1953 were being donated to the Cerebral Palsy children.

Wolford & Brazeau Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fund raising--Tacoma;