Central Motors building shots. The front of the building with at least three stories is shown. Automobiles are seen through the windows and the front garage doors are open. They advertise that their "motive is service". TPL-1759.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Central Motors (Tacoma);

Two 1947 Nash automobiles are on display in the Sanford-Nash showroom.

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

1946 Nash automobiles on display in showroom of Sanford Nash Company. Glassed in offices, advertising posters in background.

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

1946 General view of Ray Ridge Motors, Lincoln - Mercury dealer. A front view of the large automobile dealership building. New automobiles are seen through the showroom windows. The service entrance is seen to the right end of the building. A Model A Ford and Buick are parked at the curb.

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

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;

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;

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);

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;

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 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);

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);

ca. 1943. Titus Motor Company reconditioning room. An unidentified employee is pictured steam cleaning an engine block in deep wash tubs. The engine is then lifted on a chain pulley above the sink. Photograph taken circa 1943.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Group for Christmas ad in newspaper, Tacoma Auto Sales, Llewellyn Advertising Agency, Mr. Van Meter. A group portrait of 22 of the administrative and sales personnel from Tacoma Auto Sales. The men all wear business suits and the women wear either suits, or a sweater and skirt or blouse and skirt. This photograph was used in a Tacoma News Tribune ad December 26, 1949. (TNT, 12/26/1949, p.10)

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

Painted window, Tacoma Auto Sales, Buck Gardner. The 1950 Pontiacs went on display at Tacoma Auto Sales the last week of November 1949. The Chieftain and Streamliner lines were continued with standard and de luxe styling, six- or eight-cylinder engines (up to 108 h.p.) and Hydra-matic or Synchro-Mesh transmissions. This General Motors make was named after the intelligent and formidable leader of the Ottawa Tribe, Chief Pontiac, who united four tribes to fight against the British army during the French and Indian War in 1763.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A new Chevrolet panel truck for Nalley's, Inc. was on display at South Tacoma Motor Company. This advertising car for Nalley's, Inc. carries the company logo, "If It's Nalley's, It's Good," on both sides and the rear door. This view shows advertising for Lumber Jack Syrup and Tang.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);Food industry--Tacoma; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lions' Club annual dance at Rehn Motor Company, Mr. Harold Rehn, Gig Harbor. Players at Lion's Club Bingo Night at the Chevrolet dealership in Gig Harbor.

Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Rehn Motor Co. (Gig Harbor); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lions Club (Tacoma); Bingo--Gig Harbor;

Lions' Club annual dance at Rehn Motor Company, Mr. Harold Rehn, Gig Harbor. People are standing outside Rehn Motor Company's showroom during the Lion's Club Bingo Night at the Chevrolet dealership in Gig Harbor.

Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Rehn Motor Co. (Gig Harbor); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lions Club (Tacoma); Bingo--Gig Harbor;

The newest in automotive beauty and power was posed with the old in this photograph taken in front of the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership at 455 Saint Helens Avenue on May 4, 1950. The car on the left is a 1950 Buick Eight sporting a "bumper guard grill"; the car to the right is a Model 31 Buick that was manufactured in 1912. The vintage Buick had been driven to Tacoma from Olympia during Olympia Centennial Week by its owner Cecil Barker, a Buick dealer in Olympia. The modern Mueller-Harkins dealership on St. Helens had opened at the end of 1948; today it is home to the U.S.A. of Yesterday Motor Car Company. (Ordered by the Condon Company, K. Shinn.)

Automobile Dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Olympia; Buick automobile; Automobile radiator ornaments;

An antique 1913 Buick touring car representing the City of Olympia's Centennial was driven to Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership in Tacoma. The people are L-R, Charles Barker, Mrs. Cecil Barker, Cecil Barker, R.A. Mueller and Mrs. Charles Barker. The 1913 Buick has spoked wheels, a windshield that was split horizontally and could be folded into either an up or down position, and a fabric top that may be removable. It took one and three-quarters hours to travel the 30 miles from Olympia to Tacoma in the old automobile. (TNT, 5/8/1950, p.2) TPL-6589

Automobile Dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Olympia; Buick automobile; Barker, Cecil--Family; Barker, Charles--Family; Mueller, Rudolph A.;

The Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership added a new used car sales building on Saint Helens next to their large display and service facilities in 1950. The used automobiles are nosed towards the street to show passers-by the current inventory. Condon Company, Kay Shinn.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile;

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);

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.

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 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;

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan. A model stands next to a 1949 Chevrolet DeLuxe Styleline convertible, framed by showroom window that is decorated with slogans. TPL-5872

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

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan. A general view of the newly remodeled showroom. The new 1949 Chevrolet 4-door Styleline sedan is seen in the foreground with black tires. The 2-door Fleetline fastback is seen at the right background with a pickup truck at the far right. The 1949 Styleline Convertible is in the showroom window at left center. Desks are along the wall on the left in case anyone wanted to make a deal. A freestanding display board shows the available accessories. (T.Times, 1/20/1949, p.13)

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

South Tacoma Motor Company. Crowd viewing a 1949 Chevrolet. People look under the hood, inside the driver's side door and in the trunk of this two-door Fleetline model. The 1949 models represented three-year's development. They were completely restyled: they were lower, wider and more distinctive. (T.Times, 1/20/1949, p.13)

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