Service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Car going through the "Washmoblie", automatic car washing machine. Bare concrete walls, reflection of outdoor advertising for the agency in window at top right in photo.

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Mueller-Harkins' motto was "Service that you can depend on", their service center was one of the finest in the country. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency, upholstery area with two men working on recovering an auto seat, rolls of fabric on rack, sewing machines and work benches (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Mueller-Harkins Motor Company have been authorized Buick distributors since 1916. Interior view of service department at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency; machine shop area, work benches with grinders, a drill press and other power tools, parts cleaning sink, four unidentified mechanics working on Buick authorized parts (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins building was four stories high, and had a clean arrangement which was designed to speed up work. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency's executive or sales offices; two offices with window between them, one man working in each office, identical desk clocks, certificate "Mueller Aviation ... authorized Sea Bee Dealer ... Republic Aircraft Co." on wall (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Mueller-Harkins' employees had their lunch and recreation room located in a round glassed-in tower. Mueller-Harkins promised fast and efficient service to their customers. Interior view of service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency's painting booth, unidentified man with breathing apparatus sprays a well-masked older coupe (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28)..

Buick automobile; Painting--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Elevated " Service Master " command post overlooking the bays. Pneumatic tubes for delivery of service orders, control panels with many lights and switches, digital clock and microphone. Man at controls.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Buick building for Mueller-Harkins was designed by Silas E. Nelsen, a local Tacoma architect. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency; machine shop area, work benches with grinders, a drill press and other power tools, roll-away tool boxes, two unidentified mechanics working on Buicks (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership had just moved into their new building and had officially opened to the public on December 6, 1948. View of the service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency, station #23, steering service, late 1940s Buick with whitewall tires on elevated rack, Joe Elliot is standing beside "Visualiner" front end alignment machine (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins Buick center had a staff of 80 people, they were proud to deliver fast and efficient service. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency, engine diagnostic area, station #2 in foreground; Sun Equipment Co. testing equipment, glass partitions, Delco industrial battery on floor. unidentified men are working on Buick automobiles (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins building was constructed in joint slab construction style and has 30 foot spans; all fixtures are made of aluminum. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency; "Heavy Repair" area for body work, unidentified man is stripping smashed parts off a late 1940s Buick, placing the scrap in a GMC pickup, another mechanic inspects the passenger side of a Buick of similar vintage (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The main showroom at Mueller-Harkins had twin turn tables with windows surrounding the huge display room, two new 1949 Buicks were currently being displayed. Interior view of service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency; painting or detail area, unidentified man inspects a late 1940's Buick Special, another looks on and a third polishes a car in the background; container of "Nason Thinner" on shelf, "Quaker State Motor Oil" on bench (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The Mueller-Harkins building included a collision and paint room, upholstery shop, regular service department, Texaco Station, Firestone store, used cars, new cars, new car delivery service and many other unique automotive features. Interior view of service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick; motor overhaul stations 11 through 13, "Straight-eight" engine head on bench, automobile with canvas on fenders, hood removed and propped against stub wall, unidentified mechanic reads service order at station 11 (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins building was one finest and most modern sales and service centers in the United States. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick, elevated "Service Master" command post with customer waiting room below, parts counter, lighted overhead chart of stations/services available, Quaker State clock, two Buick convertibles at stations 17 & 18 (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Service that you can depend on was Mueller-Harkins' motto, they were proud of their fast and efficient service. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency's showroom at night, looking south; 1949 Buick Roadmaster, accessories including child booster seats and US Royal whitewall Tires on display; Neon sign for Hudson Automobile dealer down the street visible thru window (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership had two twin turn tables, with huge windows that surrounded the display room; all fixtures were constructed of aluminum. Exterior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency, lighted, glassed-in showroom at night; 1949 Buick Roadmaster is on display inside, neon signs pierce the darkness on the exterior (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Window displays; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins Buick center was designed by architect, Silas E. Nelsen, the building was constructed in joint slab construction style with 30 foot spans. Interior view of new Mueller-Harkins Buick building; showroom at night, looking north. Architect's model of building at center, model still exists inside the building, which now houses USA of Yesteryear Motor Car Company (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buick automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma; Architectural models; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins Buick center provided their customers with all of their automotive needs, the new building was officially opened to the public on December 6, 1948. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency; showroom features 1949 Buick Roadmaster on display, architect's model of building in left foreground. Model still exists inside the building, which now houses USA of Yesteryear Motor Car Company (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Mueller-Harkins new building was one of the most modern automobile dealerships in the country. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick showroom looking northwest; Madison M. Brager admires 1949 Buick convertible on floor turntable; advertising display explaining "Dynaflow" (automatic) transmission at far right in photo, "Buick 8" neon sign in window at left (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28). TPL-3772

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Window displays; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Buick automobile; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Holroyd Company, exterior at Mueller-Harkins showing concrete blocks, Mr. Holroyd. A view of the new Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency under construction. The dealership will have an ultra modern showroom. Two workmen on scaffolding, another inside building. This wall separates the showroom, which will be to the left, from the offices and service department.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Building materials;

In July 1946, as the engine rebuilding demand and production increased, Titus Motor Company had to restructure the engine rebuilding department which became Titus Manufacturing Company. They are now a permanent growing industry in Tacoma. View of unidentified mechanic working on rebuilding a Ford engine, Ford authorized parts in work room.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Engines; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Ford automobile; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

South Tacoma Motor Company. A young couple try out the 1949 Chevrolet Styleline four-door sedan as others look on. For 1949 Chevrolet presented two lines, the Fleetline and Styleline. Styleline models could be either two-door or four door sedans, sport coupes, convertibles, wood or all steel station wagons. They carried the "notch back" shaping beyond the top of the car to the trunk. 1:35 PM, 1/22/1949. (T.Times, 1/20/1949/ p.13)

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

South Tacoma Motor Company. A young man is in the driver's seat of a 1949 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe four-door sedan as others look on. Chevrolet introduced superior beauty to the lowest-priced ranks as well as numerous body and chassis improvements with their 1949 models. 12:05 PM, 1/22/1949. (T.Times, 1/20/1949, p.13)

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

South Tacoma Motor Company. A crowd looks at a 1949 Chevrolet De Luxe 2-door fastback, one of the Fleetline models, distinguished by the extension of the roofline in an unbroken sweep to the rear of the automobile. A sign along one wall says, "The Most Beautiful Buy of All". (T. Times, 1/20/1949, p.13)

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

South Tacoma Motor Company. General manager Guy K. Sheehan sells a young couple an automobile. A young man signs a purchase agreement for a new car while his wife looks on. They are seated at the desk of the general manager of the automobile dealership. During the four days the dealership held their open house displaying the new 1949 models of Chevrolet they took more than 100 orders. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.16)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Sheehan, Guy K.; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Deals;

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;

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan, a general view of showroom. A new 1949 Chevrolet DeLuxe Styleline convertible sits in the foreground. A shiny new De Luxe 2-door Fleetline fastback is in the left background, while a pickup truck is partly hidden at the center. Another automobile, a Styleline sedan, is seen at the far right. The dealership had recently remodeled their showroom at a cost of $10,000. (T.Times, 1/24/1949, p.16)

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

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan, showroom. 1949 Chevrolet DeLuxe 2-door Fleetline at left and pickup truck at right. Signs promoting "Seawave and Canda cloth upholstery" and showing the Chevrolet line. "America's 18 Year Leader" banner hangs at far right. Chevrolet continued the "big car" aspects that had always been claimed by Chevrolet with the 1949 models. (T.Times, 1/20/1949, p.13) TPL-5871

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

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan. A model sits in the back a 1949 Chevrolet DeLuxe convertible in the company's showroom. The price of this model, as equipped, was $2,386.80. A chrome and rope barrier is in place to keep people at a distance from this new Chevrolet with gleaming paint and wide, white-wall tires. The model holds a doll and several more are sitting on the convertible. TPL-3265

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

An unidentified model was photographed in January of 1949 while sitting on the left front fender of a brand new 1949 Chevrolet DeLuxe Styleline convertible on display at the South Tacoma Motor Company, 5602 South Tacoma Way. When South Tacoma Motor Co. opened in the early 1920s, they were one of the first automobile dealerships to open on South Tacoma Way. TPL-5870

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

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan. General view of dealership at night. The new 1949 Chevrolets are on display in the showroom. A neon sign stands at the corner of the building with a searchlight piercing the night sky. Several people look in on the showroom from the sidewalk.

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