General view of Temple Motor Company, Studebaker and Mercedes-Benz dealers. Studebaker Golden Hawk or Gran Turismo and pickup in showroom, SL-type Benz convertible exiting garage. Neon signs in windows and on building facade. After years at their 201 Saint Helens Ave. address, Temple Motors made the move to Broadway in 1958. They were the authorized factory dealers of Studebakers, Packards, and Mercedes-Benz and offered friendly service and complete repair facilities, including body and fender work. This picture was taken on August 29, 1958, near the 7th St. side. Photograph ordered by Temple Motors.

Temple Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Studebaker automobile; Studebaker trucks; Convertible automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile Inc. In 1958, Munson Motors became Russ Dunmire. The company sold and serviced Oldsmobiles. Here uniformed employees are in training about 10:30 in the morning studying slide projections of a late Fifties Olds motor part. President of the company was Russell Dunmire.

Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A three-alarm blaze caused $47,000 in damages to the Imported Motors facility on August 6, 1958. A leaking gasoline tank that fell caused the fast-spreading fire. Twenty cars were saved but nine expensive foreign cars were badly damaged. Imported Motors was owned by Tom Carstens who flew in via a small plane immediately from Seattle to inspect the damage. This photograph taken 30 hours after the fire shows the heavy damage to the overhead roof area; parts of the laminated beams are still intact while others have been burned, leaving the building exposed to the elements. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc. (TNT 8-6-58, A-1)

Imported Motor Cars, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Delivery by Irwin Jones Co. of twelve 1/2 ton GMC utility trucks to Cascade Natural Gas Co. The photograph was taken at McKinley Park.

Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); General Motors trucks--1950-1960; McKinley Park (Tacoma);

Boyd Motor Company, Rambler agency, general view of dealership. New Ramblers in front of building, advertising banners in windows, used car lot in background

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Nash / Rambler Dealers - Boyd Motor Company

Service department at Titus Motor Company. Mercury sedan over greasepit, mechanic working under automobile.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mercury automobile;

On October 2, 1939, Clara Thorsen received her title to a new 1939 Studebaker Champion from an unidentified VFW member. She won the car at a Ray C. Roberts Post 969, VFW benefit ball. Miss Thorsen confided that she was getting married the following month and planned on using the vehicle for a honeymoon trip to California. The lucky young lady was 24 years old and a clerk at Fishers Department Store. She picked up her car at the Allen Motor Co. building, which advertised itself as being "opposite the Temple Theater". (T. Times 10/5/1939, pg. 16)

Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; Thorsen, Clara; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma);

On April 22nd-23rd 1927, the Daimler-Knight limousine, once owned by England's King George V was on display at Manley Motor Co., 956-58 Fawcett Ave. The vehicle had been built especially for King George V in England in 1910. He used it until 1924. After its 14 years of service, it was being driven across the US in a cross country tour. It could reach speeds of up to 52mph, got 6 1/2 miles per gallon of gas and carried 35 gallons. Alongside the Daimler is a Willys Knight 70 sedan. Standing in the front, left to right, are James Teale (driver of the car on its US tour,) Harry Manley (pres. Manley Motors,) Capt. Gardner of the Tacoma Police Dept. at the wheel, Chief of Police M.D. Guy and Joe Willits (shop superintendent Manley Motors.) (TDL 4/24/1927, pg. G-7) TPL-7179

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Willys-Knight automobile; Daimler-Knight automobile; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Manley, Harry;

Repair shop at Titus Motor Co. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. This elegant, Elizabethan style building at 618-24 Broadway was built in 1919 for the Pacific Car Company from a design by Roland Borhek, who also drew the plans for the Rialto Theater. The Titus Motor Company, dealers for Ford vehicles, took over the building in December of 1938. As Titus Motor Company, and later as Titus - Will Ford, they occupied this building until the mid-1960s when they moved from downtown Tacoma to 3606 South Sprague.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

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;

Rehn Motor Company. Exterior of the chevrolet dealership in Gig Harbor.

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

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;

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 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

Titus Motor Company started engine rebuilding during World War II, in order to maintain and improve essential transportation needed during the war. The first month of production they rebuilt 20 engines and designated three mechanics to work full-time on engine rebuilding. Interior view of Titus Manufacturing Company's engine rebuilding shop, men working on Ford "flathead" V-8 engines; tools, parts and supplies in factory area.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Engines; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

In 1943 Titus Motor Company was designated as an authorized engine rebuilding plant by Ford Motor Company, they would serve the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Interior view of Titus Manufacturing Company's engine rebuilding shop, men working on Ford "flathead" V-8 engines; tools, parts and supplies in factory area.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Engines; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Leon E. Titus is a pioneer car dealer in Washington, starting in Centralia in 1912, and taking over the Tacoma dealership in 1937. Exterior view of Titus Manufacturing Company, view into engine rebuilding shop, many rebuilt Ford "flathead" V-8 engines, tools, parts and supplies in factory area. This shop occupied the upper ( Court C ) level of the Titus Motor Company building on Broadway.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Engines; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Leon E. Titus was the President and General Manager of Tacoma's Titus Motor Company. This dealership offered delivery of Ford authorized auto parts to their customers, which included individual owners, garages and other Ford dealers. Interior view of Vanette delivery truck showing cabinets and shelves for parts, "Ford" pistons, oil pans and spark plugs are among some of the parts in truck.

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

Interior view of Vanette delivery truck from Titus Motor Company's parts delivery department. View of truck from cab looking to rear, cabinets and shelves for parts, overhead panel holding gaskets in lowered position, similar panel in closed position at top in photo. Ford authorized shock absorber fluid, chrome cleaner, cleaner and polish and top dressing in black are in containers located in right, forefront compartments.

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

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;

Showing of 1949 Lincolns, Robert Sconce Advertising Agency. A crowd has come out at night to admire the new 1949 Lincolns and Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Lincoln and Mercury were the first to have their new models for 1949 available for the public as early as April of 1948. Neon signs attached to the building facade are bright against the dark evening. TPL-1516

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mercury automobile; Lincoln automobile;

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

In June of 1947 George Cramer (first man from rt), a logger from Morton, WA, won a brand new 1947 1/2 Frazer Manhattan Sedan after his name was entered into a drawing by his brother. The car was the top prize awarded at the Izaak Walton League picnic held at Point Defiance on June 15th. Standing next to Mr. Cramer is his thrilled wife. Members of the Tacoma Chapter of the Izaak Walton League stand at the back as well as handing over the car to the Cramers are: (l to r) Woody Wilson; Harry Smith; Walter Witte, league secretary; Orville Winston; Dean Sheeler; Erling Bergerson, league president; and Barbara Walentiny, daughter of a Walton member. They are all standing in front of the Wilson Motor Company dealership at 6233 South Tacoma Way. (T.Times, 6/21/1947, p.3)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wilson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Kaiser automobile; Wilson, Woody; Smith, Harry; Witte, Walter; Winston, Orville; Wheeler, Dean; Cramer, George; Bergerson, Erling; Walentiny, Barb; Izaak Walton League (Tacoma);

Old time truck for contest, South Tacoma Motors, Ted Hoakinson. Three men stand with an old time truck in front of South Tacoma Motors. The older gentlemen in the middle, probably the owner, tells the other two men, wearing white lab coats, about two parts which may be brake shoes.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks;

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);

Sanford Nash Company's annual Christmas party was a wonderful success, well attended by the company staff and their families. View of adults and children looking on, Santa was distributing Christmas gifts to the children and company employees. Advertising materials on walls, Nash accessories on display, Christmas decorations and neon signs in windows.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Christmas trees--Tacoma; Parties--Tacoma; Families--Tacoma; Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees;

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;

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;