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;

The exterior of Mulligan Pontiac Cadillac Company recently opened by Andrew E. Mulligan shows their new car showroom on the left and used car sales area on the right. The service area for the dealership was entered from Commerce Street, one block below, in the same building. Andrew E. Mulligan purchased the interests of E.A. Riebe in the Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealership, in September 1952. Neon signs advertise "Pontiac Cadillac" and "Used Cars" from signs perpendicular to the building with other signs painted on the building facade and attached flat to the building. The City Hall tower can be seen over the building. (TNT, 9/28/1952, p.B-16)

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

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;

The exterior of Titus Motor Company with vehicles on street and in the showroom. There are many neon and painted signs. The company's 1906 Ford Model N is parked at the far right. The Elizabethan-style brick building was designed by Roland Borhek, Architect, and built circa 1926.

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

Mallon Motor Company, Used Car Department lot and building. For newspaper advertising.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma);

Mallon Motors announced the opening of their used car outlet in September of 1952. Three men stand in front of the used car lot and building. A variety of automobiles and a pick-up truck are shown facing South Tacoma Way. (TNT, 9/4/1952, p.26)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma);

The Steven Motor Company occupied two buildings in downtown Tacoma on Broadway in 1952. They sold new Chrysler Corporation cars from 734 Broadway, which also had an entrance at 733 St. Helens; and used cars from 738 Broadway. The showroom was open evenings until 9:00 Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Steven Motor Company was founded by Everett T. Steven who started in the automobile business while still a youngster polishing the brass on new cars. The Steven Motor Company left downtown South Tacoma Way in 1959. These buildings are still standing in the heart of Tacoma's Antique Row.(TNT, 3/14/1952, p.B-2)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A view of the exterior of Titus Motor Company's showroom where the new 1952 Fords were available for viewing. Ford Motor Company was designing the "Car of Tomorrow" while presenting the finest line of cars they had yet produced in the company's 48-year history. Ford automobiles would feature a 6-cylinder, 101 hp, overhead-valve engine and Lincolns would have a new 160-hp, overhead-valve V-8 engine. A banner spans Broadway advertising the "Big, New '52 Ford." (TNT, 1/20/1952, p.C-16)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A crowd is admiring the 1952 Chevrolets at South Tacoma Motor Company. Banners promoting Ride Control suspension and Powerglide (automatic) transmission hang from columns. Styling refinements for 1952 presented a fresh, fleet appearance with Bodies by Fisher. You had a choice of 26 sparkling solid tone and two-tone color combinations. Eleven body types comprised the passenger car line for 1952 ranging from the ultra-practical business coupe to the swank Bel Air. New and improved shock absorber action presented a smoother, softer ride. A combination of Powerglide Automatic Transmission and 105-hp engine was optional on DeLuxe models. (TNT, 1/19/1952, p.10, 11) TPL-5868

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Showroom at South Tacoma Motor Company. People viewing new Chevrolet, two-door sedan with rear skirts. Sign on wall: " America's Best Seller. Chevrolet. America's Best Buy."

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A group portrait of the employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was part of a one-page advertisement in the Tacoma News Tribune in which Tacoma Auto Sales' president, E.A. Riebe, wished everyone a, "Merry Christmas from the men and women of the company who sell and service Pontiac and Cadillac passenger cars" and thanking customers for their support during 1951. (TNT, 12/25/1951, p.B-12)

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

Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new automobile accessories store in late 1951. View of exterior of store showing Firestone neon sign; store is lighted from within to show tires, sample material for seat covers, and batteries on sale. Signs on the windows promote Firestone tires; one offers to trade in old worn-out tires for Firestone replacements while another sign advertises Firestone polar grip winter treads. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new accessories store in their Saint Helens Avenue building in late 1951. Sepia photograph shows three men examining products for sale; Firestone tires were prominently featured along with Prestone anti-freeze and seat cover materials. A prudent shopper could purchase tire chains in preparation for icy roads for a cost between $10 and $14. The store even provided a Coca-Cola machine where thirst could be quenched for a mere nickel. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Advertising on tower, 35th Anniversary signs in windows, two automobile visible in showroom. Ordered by Bethelhem Steel Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Buick Dealers - Mueller-Harkins Motor Company

In 1948 Mueller-Harkin Buick moved into their new building at 455 Saint Helens Ave. They officially opened at their new address on December 6, 1948. This building was large enough to supply the public with all their automotive needs, from selling new and used vehicles to repairing and replacing automobile parts. The 1951 Tacoma City Diretory list Rudolph Mueller as President and John Mueller as Vice-President. In 1953 Rudolph Mueller retired and the Buick agency was sold to Brus Buick.

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

South Tacoma Motor Company was one of the sponsors of the 1951 Tacoma Soap Box Derby. The racer, plaque, shirt and helmet of the 1950 winner, Harold Jardeen, were on display with the Stanley Tools official derby tool kit and Schwinn bicycles that would be given to the winners of the 1951 soap box derby in Tacoma. The tool board included 19 first quality carpenter's tools on a board measuring about three feet square. It was awarded to Glen Swanson for the best constructed car in the 1951 derby held July 15. The bicycles were the second and third place prizes in the local contest, donated by Walker Chevrolet and South Tacoma Motor company, co-sponsors with the News Tribune, of the race. Ordered by Shell Oil, Mr. Perry. (TNT, 7/5/1951, p.10; 7/17/1951, p.1) TPL-9437

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Racing--Tacoma; Coaster cars--Tacoma; Equipment; Awards; All-American Soap Box Derby (Tacoma);

South Tacoma Motor Company was co-sponsor of the 1951 Tacoma Soap Box Derby in Tacoma with Walker Chevrolet and The News Tribune. The first place winner of the derby, Richard Johnson of Sumner, represented Tacoma at the national finals in Akron, Ohio, August 12th, and won an all-expense paid trip to Akron plus a $5,000 four-year college scholarship. The race was held July 15, 1951, on Derby Hill, South 38th Street, just east of the baseball park. Duane Hopper came in second and Paul Meyer was third. Duane and Paul won Schwinn bicycles. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.1; TNT, 7/17/1951, p.1) TPL-7910

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Racing--Tacoma; Coaster cars--Tacoma; Equipment; Awards; All-American Soap Box Derby (Tacoma);

The men of Mueller-Harkins Buick Customer Relations Department stand by the entrance to the service department. The two men on the left are not identified. The other men stand by plaques with their names, L-R, Phil Triplett, Jesse Hyde, Ed Mottle, John Moon.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Triplett, Phil; Hyde, Jesse; Mettle, Ed; Moon, John;

Three unidentified mechanics posed in the Buick "Lubricare" service area at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership at 455 Saint Helens Avenue on June 6, 1951. The clean, efficient service bays were equiped with overhead, pull-down hoses that supplied grease and air to the mechanics. Mueller-Harkins celebrated their 35th year in business in 1951 by offering a free "Lubricare" to every Buick owner in Pierce County whose 35th birthday fell during the 1951 calendar year.

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An estimated 500 automobile dealers and their wives were assembling on June 1, 1951 for the annual convention of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association at the Winthrop Hotel. The convention began on Thursday with a golf tournament and an evening dinner and entertainment. During Friday's session M.R. Darlington, Jr., from the Inter-Industry Highway Safety committee spoke on "The Dealer's Stake in Highway Transportation", followed by a forum on state laws and regulations. Dealers were supplying driver training cars to 5,700 high schools, 125 of them in Washington state. The session concluded on Sunday. (TNT, 6/1/1951, p.C-7)

Washington State Auto Dealers Assoc. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Irwin-Jones Motor Company is ready to deliver a new Dodge ice cream truck to Medosweet Dairies. The van on the back has been completed with a refrigerated unit.

Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Dodge trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma);

Rainier Auto Sales lot and cars at 2220 South Tacoma Way. Rainier sold used cars and their street side sign says "STOP and sell us your car." They arranged their own auto loans and insurance and were open evenings and Saturdays. Clyde E. Engoe was the owner of the lot which bought, sold and traded used cars.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rainier Auto Sales (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This is how the interior of South Tacoma Motor Company shop and service department appeared in February of 1951 when Chevrolets were being serviced throughout the warehouse. The Union Street Livery operated at this location in the late 1800s, but with the growing popularity of automobiles in the 1900s the owners combined the livery business with a garage. Pete Wallerich acquired the company in 1919. In 1924, South Tacoma Motors began selling Chevrolets at this location, making it the oldest Chevrolet dealer in the US owned continuously by the same family. Three generations of the Wallerich family sold Chevys until 1988, when the dealership became Gilchrist Chevrolet. ("South on the Sound" Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-9160

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

Interior of South Tacoma Motor Co. parts department. Workers stand behind a glass fronted service counter. Arched doorways lead to the parts storage area beyond.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A group of employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was used in a one-page Christmas message to Tacoma Auto Sales' customers for their support during 1950. The automobile dealership also thanked their employees who made it possible to serve their customers so well during 1950. Ordered by Brick Gardner. (TNT, 12/26/1950, p.10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Footprints on the sidewalk lead people to South Tacoma Motor Company to see the 1951 Chevrolets. Fourteen passenger body types were included in the 1951 line. Two- and four-door sedans were available in the Styleline and Fleetline series. All sedans and the sport coupe came in de luxe or special trim. A convertible coupe, all-steel station wagon and the Bel Air were exclusively in the de luxe series. The business coupe was only available in the Special series. (TNT, 12/9/1950, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

December was the month to showcase the upcoming year's new automobile models. Here the 1951 Chevrolets, including the Bel Air, are gleaming under the overhead lights of South Tacoma Motor Company at 5602 South Tacoma Way. The Bel Air's white-wall tires set off its new styling, where improvements and changes were featured in both the chassis and body for 1951. Model changes ranged from the "biggest brakes in the low-price field" to longer and lower design innovations. The Powerglide automatic transmission, optional on the deluxe models only, was also refined. Both South Tacoma Motor Co. and Walker Chevrolet would open their showrooms at night during part of December to highlight the impressive catalog of new cars. (TNT, 12/8/1950, p.13-article )

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;