Interior view of Vanette delivery truck from Titus Motor Company, one of Tacoma's authorized dealerships for Ford cars, trucks, parts and service. View from the right side of cab looking to rear, driver's seat, cabinets, overhead panels and shelves for parts. View of Ford authorized: body polish, hydraulic brake fluid, shock absorber liquid, cleaner and polish, located on shelves behind driver's seat.

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

Titus Motor Company's parts delivery department, delivered Ford "flathead" V-8 engines, view of engine inside the rear door of Vanette delivery truck, hand winches, cabinets and shelves for parts inside truck. Rebuilt Ford "flathead" V-8 engines were in great demand throughout the Pacific Northwest, making Titus rebuilding department break away from Titus Motor Company and becoming Titus Manufacturing Company.

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

Titus Motor Company parts delivery department was also experiencing an increase in their services with the increased demand of the popular rebuilt Ford engines. Interior view of Vanette delivery 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. View of black enamel, visor vanity mirrors and gas tank locking cap assembly kits in left 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);

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);

Display of new trucks at Titus Motor Company, Mr. Monrad, Sconce Advertising. People are looking inside the cab and under the hood of a 1948 Ford pickup truck. Steps are in place to gain a better view of the engine. Signboards and banners sing the praises of the truck and of the Titus staff. TPL-1517

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

Display of new trucks at Titus Motor Company, Mr. Monrad, Sconce Advertising. The 1948 models included a one-half ton panel, a two ton chassis, a 3 ton chassis and a F-8 heavy duty. The F-7 and F-8 models, both new in 1948, were powered by 145 hp motors. All the 48's featured the "million-dollar" body (because dies used in their porduction cost that much), new car comfort, quarter-glass side windows for no-draft ventilation and a one piece windshield. (T.Times, 1/16/1948, p.7)

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

Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency. The interior of the customer waiting room is shown. A display of "Authorized Assessories" stands along the wall at the left and Coca-Cola and cigarette vending machines stand along two of the other walls. A man is adjusting a sign promoting GMAC Insurance Plans.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Insurance; Waiting rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

Oldsmobile Golden Anniversary display at City Motor Company. Three 1948 Oldsmobiles on display, flowers and garlands adorn showroom.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Oldsmobile Dealers - City Motor Company

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;

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;

Model of new Mueller-Harkins Buick showroom. A view of the architectural model of the new automobile dealership that was being built at Sixth Avenue and Saint Helens Avenue. Toy automobiles, gasoline pumps and people are included to show how the new facility was to be used. This model still exists inside the building on Saint Helens Avenue in Tacoma, which now houses USA of Yesteryear vintage automobile sales (1998).

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Architectural models; Toys; Model cars;

Anderson Fuel truck in front of Titus, Titus Motor Company, Henry Zachow. The new Ford truck has been outfitted with a bed that can be raised and lowered to dump materials when making deliveries. G. Andersen Fuel advertised "Snappy, Speedy Service" and that they were dealers in wood, coal and heating oils.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hoisting machinery;

Showing of 1949 Lincolns, Robert Sconce Advertising Agency. Three of the new 1949 model Lincolns are parked in the showroom. The Lincoln Cosmopolitan and the Lincoln represented the latest concept in luxurious motoring with wider wheelbases (125" for the Cosmopolitan and 121" for the Lincoln). The automobiles were wider to provide road-hugging comfort. The paint on the new automobiles is highly reflective as well as the large amounts of chrome. A neon sign points the way to a cashier. (T.Times, 4/15/1948, p.26)

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

Showing of 1949 Lincolns, Robert Sconce Advertising Agency. Men are peering under the hoods of the new 1949 model Lincolns. The 1949's featured 152 hp, V-8 engines. Several men also look inside the drivers side of the front seat. The new models had a curved instrument panel with back-light illumination, curved windshields and hydraulically controlled seat adjustment. The Cosmopolitan Town Sedan also had push button windows. The luxury automobiles have wide, white-wall tires. This is a night view from outside the showroom through plate glass windows. (T.Times, 4/15/1945, p.26) TPL-1516

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

Crowd admires 1949 Lincolns and Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. A view of the showroom featuring the 1949 Mercury automobiles. Salesmen showed customers the Mercury's voluminous trunk. The newly redesigned models had more usable space for luggage and passengers, had a 118" wheelbase, and an 110 hp, V-8 engine. Both automobiles have wide white-wall tires. An advertising banner hangs on the wall, and flowers decorate the dealership for the showing of the new models. The showroom has a terrazzo floor. (T.Times, 4/20/1948, p.3)

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

Titus Motor Company had the new 1949 Ford sedan on display, this new model was more economical and featured many new and innovative options. The new cars were being referred to as the "Radically New '49 Fords." View of man standing by a Ford truck at Titus Motor Company, photo ordered by Sconce Advertising Agency (T. Times, 6/9/48, p. 2). TPL-10258

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Sconce Advertising (Tacoma);

On June 18, 1948, a revolutionary new 1949 model Ford sedan was on display in the Titus Motor Company showroom at 618-24 Broadway. The new four door sedan was designed to be lower, wider, roomier and provide 25% more visibility. The design also eliminated a lot of the squeaks and rattles found in previous models. View of unidentified people admiring the new 1949 Ford automobile at Titus Motor Company, photo ordered by Sconce Advertising Agency (T. Times, 6/9/48, p. 2).

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Sconce Advertising (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company had the new 1949 sedan on display at the Ford showroom. Henry Ford II said, "Styling and engineering changes are as extensive as the changeover from the Model T to the Model A, a generation ago". View of Titus Motor Company employees standing outside of the authorized Ford dealership, photo ordered by Sconce Advertising Agency (T. Times, 6/9/48, p. 2).

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Window displays; Office workers--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Sconce Advertising (Tacoma);

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 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;

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;

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;

Copy of four views of communications equipment installed in Muller-Harkins. Studio, Nelson. Mueller-Harkins was nearly ready to open their new Buick showroom and service department. Mr. W.C. McKewen was the company's service coordinator working in the dealership's control tower. He lost his arm during military service in World War II and now works with an artificial arm. (T.Times, 12/12/1948, p.8)

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); McKewen, W.C.; Control rooms--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Artificial limbs;

Copy of four views of communications equipment installed in Mueller-Harkins. Studio, Nelson. Service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Elevated " Service Master " command post overlooking the bays. Pneumatic tubes for service orders, panels with lights and switches, service chart and microphone are shown. Mr. W.C. McKewen is at the controls.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); McKewen, W.C.; Control rooms--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 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;

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;