Joe Thomas, head of the state safety inspection station on South 38th Street, greets former race car driver Harry Hartz, at the wheel of his famous Chevrolet demonstration truck, in October of 1939. The truck has travelled over 73,000 miles, crisscrossing the country, including a trek up Pikes Peak to the 14,110-foot level, without adjustments or trouble of any kind. The truck's travels are under the watchful eye of the American Automobile Association (AAA) who certifies the truck's performance. Thomas, a former race car driver himself, taught Hartz racing in 1919. Hartz won the Indianapolis Speedway Classic twice before being seriously injured in a crash. Guy Sheehan, manager of the South Tacoma Motor Co., a Chevrolet dealer, had also come out to see the long running truck. He is believed to be the man on the left. (T. Times 11/1/1939, pg. 13) (filed with Argentum)
Vehicle Safety Inspection Station (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Thomas, Joe; Hartz, Harry;