Seeking to make the car-buying experience as pleasant as possible, Titus-Will Ford built its salesman closing office with ceiling-to-floor windows to bring in natural light and provide unobstructed views of the outdoor landscaping. The customer was positioned so that he could rest his eyes on the trees and shrubbery beyond the salesman; lower windows could also be opened to let in fresh air. A salesman is shown on September 16, 1969, pointing out the details of a new Ford in a glossy magazine to a prospective client. Photograph ordered by the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan, for a "dealers publication."

Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

James Will, of Titus-Will Ford, stands next to the large engraving commemorating one of the co-founders of the firm, Leon E.Titus. Mr. Titus, who passed away in 1966, was one of Tacoma's best known automobile dealers. The pair opened a downtown Ford dealership in 1938. Titus Motor Co. offered Ford trucks and cars at its downtown Tacoma location for decades. The dealership moved to its Tacoma Mall-area location next to I-5 in 1967. Photograph ordered by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan.

Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Engravings; Titus, Leon E.--Associated objects; Will, James W.;

New tire store. Baldwin Tire & Brake Service opened for business in September of 1969 in the old OK Tire Store building. It was located at 1922 Tacoma Ave. So. and offered both new tires and retreads, including El Dorado and Goodrich brands. Front end alignment and brake service were also provided. Owner and operator Leonard Baldwin was a former real estate salesman for Frank Russell & Associates and a retired Army sergeant. Mr. Baldwin is believed to be the second man to the right in this September 22, 1969, group photograph. He was the sixth in the nation to utilize funds available through the (then) eight-month old minority enterprise program of the Small Business Administration. The loan to purchase the tire store was made possible through a special partnership from tire dealers and the SBA to help minorities obtain and operate their own tire business. Photograph ordered by R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service. The large OK sign was still fastened to the roof of the tire store at 19th and Tacoma Ave So. now owned by Leonard Baldwin in September of 1969. Now called Baldwin Tire & Brake Service, the store sold new tires and retreads, emphasizing the El Dorado and Goodrich brands, and also fixed flats for 96 cents or tubeless tires for $1.25. A customer could also have his vehicle's front end aligned and brakes repaired. Store owner Leonard Baldwin, a former real estate salesman and retired Army sgt., was able to purchase the business with the help of a minority enterprise program. This September 22, 1969, general view also indicates the wooded and shrub-filled lot next to the tire store had recently been sold by Wm. C. Johnston, realtor. Photograph ordered by the R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);

Ball joint press and gauge in use at Bohannon's Bridgeport Service Station, 11026 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood on September 29, 1969. Stress placed on ball joints made them one of the most common suspension parts to wear out. Bohannon's Bridgeport Service was owned and operated by James Bohannon. Photograph ordered by Lomac, Inc., Seattle.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Tires;

ca. 1969. South Tacoma Motor Company, exterior view into Service Entrance, during the summer of 1969. A Chevrolet Suburban is parked in front of Credit Manager Lloyde Holstrom's office door. Master Charge sign at top right, Coca-Cola machine with service awards hanging above inside building. South Tacoma Motor Co. was an authorized Chevrolet dealer and was proud to offer qualified technicians. Fast, expert and low-cost, the South Tacoma Motor Co. guaranteed its work. "It's the 'Know-How' that Counts" was used as their motto in the 1969 City Directory. Photograph ordered by Harry S. Pearson, Seattle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

ca. 1969. Exterior view of South Tacoma Motor Co.'s new and used trucks, believed to be located at So. 54th and Washington, during the summer of 1969. Customers looking for specialists in Chevrolet service could venture out to three South Tacoma Motor Co. locations. New and used trucks could be purchased at the company's So. 54th and Washington location where all trucks sold had undergone Chevrolet's "OK" program, ensuring that they had been thoroughly inspected, reconditioned and serviced. The South Tacoma Motor Co. was a well-established Tacoma firm owned and operated by the Wallerich family. Photograph ordered by Harry S. Pearson, Seattle.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1969. South Tacoma Motor Company, Used Car Division. Small ultra-modern sales office with covered driveway, several Chevrolet Impalas, a Chevelle SS, a Buick, a Volkswagen Squareback wagon, parked on lot. Although the building is named "South Tacoma Chevrolet," this was actually the used car division of South Tacoma Motor Co. The structure had been designed by architect William Hocking and had several plants of Asian variety. The 1969 City Director indicates that Beryl K. Price was manager of the lot. Photograph ordered by Harry S. Pearson, Seattle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobiles--Tacoma--1960-1970; South Tacoma Chevrolet (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1969. General daytime view of South Tacoma Motor Co. dealership. Located at So. 56th and South Tacoma Way, the South Tacoma Motor Co.'s brick and concrete facility occupied a full block. It was one of the oldest businesses in Tacoma as it started out as a livery service in the late 1800s. The Wallerich family acquired the then combined livery and automobile firm in 1919. This view, believed to be taken in the summer of 1969, focuses on the dealership's multi-glass showroom filled with new Chevrolet automobiles. Photograph ordered by Harry S. Pearson, Seattle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile;

Post Exchange Service Station No. 1. 1970 Richards stock footage. View of Post Exchange Service Station No. 1 believed to be located on Fort Lewis. Multiple booths per rows of pumps. Snow-topped Mount Rainier provides a beautiful backdrop.

Automobile service stations--Fort Lewis; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

September, 1971, view of the 2700 block of South Tacoma Way. At the corner is the Oxygen Sales & Service Co., distributor of Union Carbide welding products and Linde gases. Propane was also for sale. Next door to Oxygen Sales & Service was the Steven Motor Co., a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. According to their full page ad in the 1971 City Directory, Steven Motor Co. had 50 continuous years in the automobile business in Tacoma. They had been at the South Tacoma Way location since 1959; prior to that, they had been based in downtown Tacoma on Broadway for many years. Everett T. Steven was president of the firm with Pete Lisicich as manager and Norm Gordon as used car fleet and lease manager. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1970-1980; Oxygen Sales & Service Co. (Tacoma);

Baza'r Discount Auto Center. The Baza'r Discount Auto Center, featuring "lowest everyday prices," was part of the Gov-Mart Baza'r department store complex in the Ponders Corner area of Lakewood. Goodyear tires were sold here as well as brake service, mufflers, batteries and tune-ups. Customers could pull up to three separate rows of gas pumps for regular or premium gas. Photograph ordered by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Seattle.

Baza'r Discount Auto Center (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1970-1980; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1970-1980; Signs (Notices);

Extended view of the Baza'r Discount Auto Center on an overcast day in May, 1972. Much like the Gov-Mart/Baza'r department store located in the same vicinity, the large auto center offered a "one-stop" shopping style. Customers could fill their tanks, buy Goodyear tires, and have maintenance performed on their vehicles. There were several bays and pumps in the auto center so waiting could be cut to a minimum. Photograph ordered by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Seattle.

Baza'r Discount Auto Center (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1970-1980; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1970-1980; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1908. Bicycle shop and Storage business. The bicycle shop is probably the Amzie D. Browning Bicycle & General Repairing business. The bicycle shop has an advertisment painted on it for the Tacoma Baking Co. Print is somewhat out of focus.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of a Mobilgas station that also served lunches and where groceries could be purchased. The automobile service station was located in Riffe, Washington, southwest of Morton in south central Lewis County. The town of Riffe no longer exists. It was buried with the construction of Mossyrock Dam.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of a Mobilgas station that also served lunches and where groceries could be purchased. The automobile service station was located in Riffe, Washington, southwest of Morton in south central Lewis County. The town of Riffe no longer exists. It was buried with the construction of Mossyrock Dam.

Turner Towing company façade with four vehicles, two antiquated tow trucks and a mechanic walking out from the garage area.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

Undated photograph of Mobilgas station located at Legion Way and Jefferson Street, Olympia, Washington. Two old cars parked near open bay. Norwalk tires were sold at this station. Ed Whitney was the independent dealer.

Undated photograph of Mobilgas station located at Legion Way and Jefferson Street, Olympia, Washington. Two old cars parked near open bay. Norwalk tires were sold at this station. Ed Whitney was the independent dealer.