Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealers, exterior view from southeast of Commerce Street facade showing service entrance. A neon "Pontiac Cadillac Service" sign hangs over the entrance and many automobiles are parked at the curb.

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

Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealers, exterior view from Commerce Street facade showing service entrance. A neon "Pontiac Cadillac Service" sign extends from the building and many automobiles are parked at the curb. The auto sales area was located at the other side of the building, 723 Broadway.

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

Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealers. View from northeast of Commerce Street facade showing service entrance. Neon "Pontiac Cadillac Service" sign, many automobiles parked at curb, including a cab from East Tacoma Taxi Company.

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

Harold A. Sanford was the President of Sanford-Nash Inc., he had been in the Nash dealership business since 1918. Exterior view of Sanford Nash Company, two signs posted by entrance tell us this is the Parts Department for used cars, the Service Department is located on lower floor. Stucco building at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue, two Nash automobiles in showroom windows, neon and painted signs on building. Photograph taken on February 24, 1947.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Showrooms--Tacoma; Nash automobile;

Harold A. Sanford was the President of Sanford-Nash Inc., he had been in the Nash dealership business since 1918. Exterior view of Sanford Nash Company, two signs posted by entrance tell us this is the Parts Department for used cars, the Service Department is located on lower floor. Stucco building at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue, two Nash automobiles in showroom windows, neon and painted signs on building.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Showrooms--Tacoma;

Irwin-Jones Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealers, service department showing equipment installed by Equipment Sales Corporation. Auto hoist, Pennsoil tanks, Purolator filter sign, enameled cabinets, sign w/ Dodge crest, Quaker State Motor Oil clock.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Dodge / Plymouth Dealers - Irwin--Jones Company

Mallon Motor Company, interior of service area showing equipment installed by Equipment Sales Corporation. Lift racks, motor oil tanks, overhead hoses, etc. Two workmen servicing a Ford sedan.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Mallon Motor Company

Puyallup Motor Co. building had an auto dealership, Mrs. C. L. Johnson Hosiery Mending shop, service station and appliance store all in one location. Exterior view of Puyallup Motor Company automobiles visible through showroom windows, Union 76 sign, "Hosiery Mending" sign located on left side shop window, and an "Admiral dual-temp, no-defrosting" refrigerator and hydraulic dishwasher on ride side of showroom window; a steeple is visible in background.

Automobile dealerships--Puyallup--1940-1950; Window displays; Signs (Notices); Showrooms--Puyallup; Puyallup Motor Co. (Puyallup); Steeples;

Puyallup Motor Company, Lincoln/Mercury dealer. General view of modernistic building at night, new automobiles in lighted showroom. Photograph taken on July 19, 1947.

Puyallup Motor Co. (Puyallup); Automobile dealerships--Puyallup--1940-1950; Automobiles--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Puyallup Motor Company, Lincoln/Mercury dealer. General view in July of 1947 of modernistic building at night, new automobiles in lighted showroom. The ceiling-to-floor glass windows provided clear access to the models on display.

Puyallup Motor Co. (Puyallup); Automobile dealerships--Puyallup--1940-1950; Lincoln automobile; Mercury automobile; Automobiles--Puyallup--1940-1950;

New automobiles in showroom of Puyallup Motor Company, Lincoln/Mercury Dealer. There are several potential customers admiring the new cars during the evening of July 19, 1947. Puyallup Motor Company was located at 202 Pioneer Ave. E.

Puyallup Motor Co. (Puyallup); Automobile dealerships--Puyallup--1940-1950; Lincoln automobile; Mercury automobile; Automobiles--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Titus Motor Company was an official Ford automobile dealership, most commercial and personal Ford automobiles in the Tacoma area came from Titus Motor. They offered their customers complete automobile maintenance and servicing, and were the authorized dealers for "Champion" car products. View of window display featuring "Champion" oil filters and spark plugs at Titus Motor.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Showroom at City Motor Company, Oldsmobile, Anson Hart. The new 1948 model Oldsmobile offered many new developments: a streamlined body design with increased front and rear visibility with curved glass, wider seats, more luxurious upholstery and interior trim. Powered by a 115 hp, 8-cylinder engine, this automobile was known as the "Futuramic" series "98" Oldsmobile. (T.Times, 2/16/1948, p.8) TPL-1653

City Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oldsmobile automobile;

Showroom at City Motor Company, Oldsmobile, Anson Hart. A large, artificial cake with artificial candles stands next to the drapery covered frame announcing the "Futuramic" Oldsmobile. The "Futuramic" series of "98" Oldsmobiles was the top of the line for Oldsmobile. The "Dynamic" was for medium price buyers. General Motors' hydra-matic drive, providing automatic shifting in all forward speeds, hydraulic controls for raising and lowering the windows and adjusting the position of the front seat were optional equipment throughout the Oldsmobile line. (T.Times, 2/16/1948, p.8 and TNT, 2/15/1948, p.A-7) TPL-3555

City Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Showroom at City Motor Company, Oldsmobile, Anson Hart. An 1898 automobile is included in the display of the new 1948 Oldsmobiles, perhaps a way of introducing the Oldsmobile "98" class of automobiles. Oldsmobile was America's oldest motor car manufacturer with over five decades of design and construction development. The "98"'s were the upper tier of the Oldsmobile line. They carried a newly designed high-compression head. All the 1948 models were equipped with coil springs at all 4 wheels, rigid X-member reinforced frame, double-action hydraulic shock absorbers, proven knee-action front wheel units, four-way stabilization to prevent side sway at high speeds and dual-control center steering. (T.Times, 2/16/1948, p.8 and TNT, 2/15/1948, p.A-7) TPL-3555

City Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oldsmobile automobile;

Irwin Jones truck building, Walt Dunlap, Irwin Jones Motor Company. The final touches are being added to the new truck division building of the Irwin Jones dealership. Clearing the site for this new building was begun in January 1948. The new facility contains 65,000 square feet with a new-truck showroom, showroom for used cars, large service and parts department, offices, a body shop and a paint shop. They have easy access to railroad tracks with a spur in the rear and will be able to unload new Dodge engines and trucks easily. (T.Times, 10/7/1948, p.13) TPL-9226

Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs;

Sanford Nash building, Mr. Grindahl. A side view of the building showing the entrance on Broadway and how the building covers the block to have a lower entrance on Commerce Street. The lower level housed the service department. Signs advertised the "Airflyte for '49" and the "Nation's Newest Car".

Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nash automobile; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sanford Nash building, Mr. Grindahl. A front view of the building. H.A. Sanford was president and R.E. Ryan was vice-president and general manager of the automobile dealership. Sanford-Nash, Inc., also has a used car location at 5813 South Tacoma Way. A neon sign advertising "Nash" hangs over the corner of the building. The showroom windows are covered so no one can see the new models until the Open House October 22, 1948.

Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nash automobile; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior at new location, Irwin-Jones, Walt Dunlap. The interior of the lower level of the new truck division of the Dodge dealership. The building was designed using concrete arch-type construction which was widely used in Sweden at this time. This was one of the first buildings using this construction in the United States. The six entrances and exits were installed to speed truck servicing. (T.Times, 10/7/1948, p.13) TPL-9228

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

Interior at Mueller-Harkins, new service center. Douglas Fir Plywood Association, Mrs. Link. W.C. McKewen is seen from behind while he is at work in the "Service Master" command post. Mr. McKewen is able to see the automobiles as they are driven in for servicing and he uses the microphone to communicate with other workers in the area. Pneumatic tubes are over his left shoulder for special orders and he has a full console of communication controls in front of him.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Communication devices; Signal lights--Tacoma;

Interior at Mueller-Harkins, new service center. Douglas Fir Plywood Association, Mrs. Link. Mueller-Harkins had installed the newest methods of communicating within their service department. The new facilities for the Buick dealership included a signal-lighting system. An employee in the "Service Master" command post which was elevated over the entrance to the service area would alert staff of the needed servicing for an entering automobile by pressing the on button for the board hanging in the shop. After the automobile had been taken to the proper work area the light was turned off.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Communication devices; Signal lights--Tacoma;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins showing the several service bays available and the ramp up to street level on the far right. Several cars can be parked under cover until their owners return for them.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins. An employee is painting the exterior body of an automobile. The windows and other vulnerable parts of the car have been covered with paper.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins where Joe Elliott is taking notes from a display that is coming from the "Visualiner". This modern device gave a graphic picture of the front-end alighment of vehicles connected to it. See A37167-1. (T.Times, 12/26/1948, p.28)

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elliott, Joe;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the collision shop at Mueller-Harkins where a crumpled fender gets a new finish. Several men are at work in the body shop. Parts bins are located along the wall at the left and one of the men has removed a panel or door from an automobile to take out a dent in the metal. The panel is attached to a dolly for ease of movement. (T.Times, 12/26/1948, p.28)

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the parts department at Mueller-Harkins. Two men stand at the counter asking for help with parts while two men behind the counter assist them. Two more men are working in the shelving area and several more are seen in the background behind glass windows.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins. Two automobiles, one a two-tone coupe and the other a convertible, are ready for servicing in two of the bays outfitted with hoists and several different nozzles possibly for air, water and other liquids for automobiles.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The new full service Buick Center had just opened up in Tacoma in late 1948. Mueller-Harkins Motor Company was offering their customers a one-stop automotive center. Exterior view of Texaco service station, this service station was part of the new Mueller-Harkins Motor Company facilities; view of four Texaco gas pumps; Firestone tires and automotive supplies in store (T. Times, 12/3/48, p. 8-9).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Texaco (Tacoma); Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

December 4, 1948 was the grand opening of the new Mueller-Harkins Motor Company building at 455 Saint Helens Avenue. The Buick dealership, with its modern design and walls of glass, was owned and managed by Rudolph A. and John A. Mueller. Potential customers could easily see the cars on display in the well lit showroom. In 1953 the building was sold to Brus Buick Company, and in 1994 it was purchased by the U.S.A. of Yesterday Motor Car Company. (T. Times, 12/3/48, p. 8-9).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);