Titus Motor Company, service department. Ford sedan parked on lowered lift rack, man appears to be checking headlight alignment with an adjustable screen on a post. Man in automobile, another giving him instructions. Parts delivery van at rear.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Titus Motor Company Tacoma Streets - Broadway

Winner of Mercury Automobile Contest in front of Titus Motor Company. Man hands envelope to another man across the hood of a 1940 Mercury. Leon Titus at far right. Titus Motor Co. was offering a special prize for gasoline economy. Beginning January 27, 1940, contestants could drive a special Mercury 8 equipped with a gasoline meter. First prize in the contest, 50 gallons of gasoline, would be awarded to the driver with the best mileage. The new Mercury 8 averaged 20 miles per gallon.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.; Mercury automobile; Contests;

Ask us to show you how the Biggest Ford in 38 Years out-measures the 'other two'. Leon Titus, the president of the Titus Motor Company (kneeling, 3rd from left), and his sales crew used specially made "yardsticks" to measure a brand new 1941 Ford V-8 in December of 1940. The "yardsticks" are considerably more than 36 inches long. The 1941 model was claimed by Ford to be the biggest car in its price class. From left to right are Bill Holmes, Arnie Colby, Leon Titus, Harold Davies, Norm Arndt, Fred Hess, John Mamoliti, Del Sprague, Hans Malcom and Jim Will. (T. Times 12/18/1940, pg. 13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile; Will, James W.; Titus, Leon E.;

The 1941 Ford V8 was advertised as the biggest, roomiest Ford in 38 years. Ford representatives and Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain have out their yardsticks to see if the new Ford measures up to its claims. Mayor Harry Cain, 3rd from left in photo, Leon Titus, president of Titus Motor Co. 4th from right, Jim Will, far right. (T.Times 12/18/1940 p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile; Titus, Leon E.; Will, James W.; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

Titus Motor's gift for the first born baby in Tacoma in 1941 was a ride home for mother and child in a 1941 Super Deluxe Ford. The 9 pound 3 ounce baby boy arrived at 12:08 a.m. at the County Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parham of 6002 So. Mason making them winners of the Tacoma News Tribune Stork Derby for 1941.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parham, Herbert--Family;Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The winner of the Tacoma News Tribune Stork Derby for 1941, the first baby of the year, was a 9 pound, 3 ounce baby boy born to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parham at 12:08a.m. on January 1, 1941. One of the prizes was a ride home from the County Hospital in a 1941 Super DeLuxe Ford for the new family. The vehicle was supplied by Titus Motors. (TNT 1/2/1941, pg. 1)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parham, Herbert--Family;Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ford Good Drivers League publicity for Titus Motor Company. Lincoln Delux sedan with logo on door in front of Public Safety Building. L to R: Leon Titus, unknown, Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, Police Chief Einar Langseth.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Titus Motor Company Advertising and Promotion Law Enforcement - Police Agencies - Tacoma Police Department

ca. 1943. Titus Motor Company reconditioning room. An unidentified employee is pictured steam cleaning an engine block in deep wash tubs. The engine is then lifted on a chain pulley above the sink. Photograph taken circa 1943.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Broadway Motor Company. Signs "We Pay High Prices for your Car or Equity", See Us First" and "Service Entrance". One automobile is seen parked in the service entrance and another is in the showroom seen through the window. Building has vertical stone decoration (low relief) and tall glass windows above the first floor.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Broadway Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Central Motors interior of garage. A view of a very large, open service garage with wooden floor. The foreground shows a hoist and in the rear an automobile is parked in a separate work area.

Automobile dealerships; Garages; Vehicle maintenance & repair;

A salesman assists two soldiers who are buying a Pontiac from the dealer's large, used car inventory. Tacoma Auto Sales Co. has two locations, on Broadway and South Tacoma Way. They are ready to capture the used and new car market as automobile manufactures gear-up for new models after stopping production during the war. In an ad placed in the Tacoma News Tribune, the dealer asks that "patriotic and grateful citizens--two-car families--trade one car NOW on a new Pontiac or Cadillac, so a returned soldier will be assured of good transportation." (TNT, 9/2/1945, p. A9, ad).

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma); Pontiac automobile; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

The view from Court C of Mueller Harkins, 722-26 Broadway, photographed in September of 1945. This appears to be the entrance to the automotive shop. To the far right of the photograph is the Irwin-Jones Motor Co., at 728 Broadway.

Automobile dealerships-Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor, Kelly Farquhar and Consolidated Freightways. Three men work in the shipping and receiving area loading and accounting for cartons of car parts and supplies. Photograph taken on September 5, 1945.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Titus Motor Company, showing of 1946 automobiles. Two men and two women look at board explaining "self centering brakes". Flowers, other people in background.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile;

Titus Motor Company, showing of 1946 automobiles. People looking at two 1946 Ford sedans. Neon signs in windows, art deco light fixtures, tile floor, double interior doors with stained glass. Plaque with names of employees who served in WWII.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile;

Titus Motor Company, showing of 1946 automobiles. People looking at two 1946 Ford sedans. Art deco light fixtures, tile floor, double interior doors with stained glass. WWII employees plaque, signboard on "Engineering Advancement" in background..

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile;

Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealers, exterior. Showroom windows painted over with cartoon of fence and various characters "peeking", trying to glimse the 1946 Pontiacs, which sign on the door says will be on display Wed, Nov 14th. According to the Tacoma Times prices permitted on new automobiles were to be announced by the OPA by November 7, 1945, for the new 1946 models. Automobiles were not manufactured during the war so these models were greatly anticipated. (T.Times, 11/2/1945, p.15) TPL-9277

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma);

Central Motors building shots. The front of the building with at least three stories is shown. Automobiles are seen through the windows and the front garage doors are open. They advertise that their "motive is service". TPL-1759.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Central Motors (Tacoma);

Central Motors bought, sold and serviced cars. They were about to move into this building, where they would offer their customers a wide selection of used cars and more extended services. Interior view of Central Motors.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Central Motors (Tacoma);

The A.E. Mulligan Company offered Tacoma customers a conveniently located dealership featuring Studebaker models. Customers admire the new 1946 Studebaker. Neon in windows of showroom and on signs for Temple Theater and Bonneville Hotel visible through glass in background.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Consumers--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; A.E. Mulligan Co. (Tacoma);

A.E. Mulligan Company, Studebaker dealers. Customers admire the 1946 Studebaker, "First by Far with a Postwar Car" reads banner on wall in background. Hood of one automobile is up displaying engine, photos of other Studebakers hang on walls. Customers browse through the dealership.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Consumers--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; A.E. Mulligan Co. (Tacoma);

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advertising. Crowd admires the 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Night view from outside showroom through plate glass windows. Convertible, sedan and "woody" wagon are visible.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advetising. Crowd admires the 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Night view from outside showroom through plate glass windows. Convertible, sedan and "woody" wagon are visible. Neon signs in windows.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mercury automobile; Showrooms;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advertising. Crowd admires the 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Night view from outside showroom through plate glass windows. Convertible, sedan and "woody" wagon are visible. Neon signs in windows.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advertising. The new 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors are being insected closely by several men while women catch up on their most recent activities at the Lincoln-Mercury showroom.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advetising. During the open house over 8,000 visitors crowded the showroom. Five new Mercurys were displayed. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers drom around the state welcomed Ray Ridge, the newly named Mercury and Lincoln dealer for Tacoma and Pierce County. Mr. Ridge is standing on the far left. (T.Times, 7/18/1946, p.7 & 7/23/1946, p.14)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms; Ridge, Ray;

Munson-Smith Motors was appointed as associated Dodge and Plymouth passenger car dealer and Dodge job-rated truck dealer in South Tacoma. A four-day grand opening was held July 30 - August 3, 1946. The dealership will have a large 140 ft. by 140 ft. service area in the back of the building. L-R, W.M. Dunigan, H.G. Schreiber, Helen Jones, Alberta Smith, co-owner, Major George C. Yates, S.E. "Ed" Munson, co-owner; kneeling, Don Munson and Sam LeCrone.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Smith, Alberta; Munson, S.E.;

Munson - Smith Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealers, interior view of staff, seven men and two women, gathered around a 1946 Dodge. One man in US Army Major or Lt. Colonel's uniform. Glassed in offices in background.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Dodge / Plymouth Dealers - Munson - Smith Motor Company

Interior of a Lincoln-Mercury dealership service area for Standard Oil. A portion of an automobile can be seen on the far right. Motor oil in large containers stand along the wall on the right. A hoist and lubricating cannisters can be seen towards the left.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rehn Motor Company. Several men enjoy each others company in the service area of the Chevrolet dealership.

Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Rehn Motor Co. (Gig Harbor);