Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency. Staff group photo on roof parking lot; building's pylon sign in background. Medical Arts, now Tacoma Municipal, building visible at far left in photo. In October of 1953, The Muellers retired and sold their company to E.H. (Gene) Brus from Seattle. The other founding owner Leo W. Harkins had retired in 1931. There was no change in personnel or policies, but the company now became Brus Buick Co. Brus would also take over the used car lot at 8th and Tacoma Ave. (TNT 10/4/1953, pg. B-6 - B-7)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Brus Buick Co. (Tacoma);
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. exterior, for the Condon Co. This facility was considered to be one of the most complete automotive centers in the U.S. Founded in 1916 at 8th and A, the company was still run by the Mueller family. In September of 1953, negotiations were underway to sell the family owned business to a Seattle automobile man. Effective October 1, 1953, the new owner was identified as E.H. (Gene) Brus, a prominent Seattle automobile man since 1921. (TNT 9/14/1953, pg. 1 & TNT 10/4/1953, pg. B5-B7)
The Buick Product School is in session at Mueller-Harkins in the glassed-in round room on their building's top level in November, 1952. Several men learn about the new Buick V8 by watching a demonstration using a partly disassembled motor on an engine stand. Sun Equipment Company's test equipment lines the curved wall.
Five new Buicks, part of a fleet of nine for the Murphy-Campbell Co., Caterpiller distributors of Tacoma and Centralia, are parked in front of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency at 455 Saint Helens Avenue in November of 1952. Murphy-Campbell leased the new Buicks through the Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company, who bought Buicks from Mueller-Harkins. The automobiles would be used by the company's salesmen and executives to service their customers in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8-ads)
Representatives of Murphy-Campbell Caterpiller Company of Tacoma and Centralia accept the keys to their fleet of nine new Buicks from Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency. The Buicks were purchased by the Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company and leased by Murphy-Campbell. A Texaco sign can be seen on the roof of Mueller-Harkins' service marquee. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma;
Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new automobile accessories store in late 1951. View of exterior of store showing Firestone neon sign; store is lighted from within to show tires, sample material for seat covers, and batteries on sale. Signs on the windows promote Firestone tires; one offers to trade in old worn-out tires for Firestone replacements while another sign advertises Firestone polar grip winter treads. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new accessories store in their Saint Helens Avenue building in late 1951. Sepia photograph shows three men examining products for sale; Firestone tires were prominently featured along with Prestone anti-freeze and seat cover materials. A prudent shopper could purchase tire chains in preparation for icy roads for a cost between $10 and $14. The store even provided a Coca-Cola machine where thirst could be quenched for a mere nickel. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Advertising on tower, 35th Anniversary signs in windows, two automobile visible in showroom. Ordered by Bethelhem Steel Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Buick Dealers - Mueller-Harkins Motor Company
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.
The men of Mueller-Harkins Buick Customer Relations Department stand by the entrance to the service department. The two men on the left are not identified. The other men stand by plaques with their names, L-R, Phil Triplett, Jesse Hyde, Ed Mottle, John Moon.
Three unidentified mechanics posed in the Buick "Lubricare" service area at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership at 455 Saint Helens Avenue on June 6, 1951. The clean, efficient service bays were equiped with overhead, pull-down hoses that supplied grease and air to the mechanics. Mueller-Harkins celebrated their 35th year in business in 1951 by offering a free "Lubricare" to every Buick owner in Pierce County whose 35th birthday fell during the 1951 calendar year.
Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
In December of 1950, passersby could pause in their nightly stroll downtown to peer through the curved windows into the festive showroom at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership, 455 Saint Helens Ave. The showroom was decorated for Christmas and featured two new 1950 Buicks on display. A neon sign promoting "Buick Dynaflow Drive" (automatic transmission) hung in the showroom window. Buick sold over half a million of their 1950 models using the slogan "Better Get a Buick." Prices in December 1950 in Tacoma ranged from $2256 for a Buick Special to $3157 for the Roadmaster. TPL-5045
A night view of Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership decorated for Christmas. A Buick has been placed on top of the roof of the service marquee with trees and "Make this a Buick Christmas" banner. Glass-topped Texaco gas pumps, a Firestone neon sign, US Royal Master tire banner, and a motor oil display are also shown. The dealership's neon sign advertising Buick shines brightly on the vertical sign. TPL-10295
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile; Christmas decorations; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Mueller-Harkins Motor Company, general view from southwest. Wilsonian Apartments in background at far left of photo. Mueller-Harkins was a Buick dealership owned and operated by Rudolph, John, and Elsie Mueller. As their large sign advertised, new cars could be purchased for $2097 and above and delivered in the Tacoma area. Taxes and license were the buyer's responsibility. Mueller-Harkins also sold quality used cars as well as new models.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Fifteen men line two tables in a class taught in one of the conference rooms at Mueller-Harkins Motor Company. They are working with small parts. Two men who are teaching the class stand at the back of the room with a flip chart open to diagrams of an automobile engine's working parts. Ordered by Mr. Mueller.
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.)
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
Mueller-Harkins' new used car sales building on Saint Helens. The used automobiles are covered by a roof with the sides open to protect and show their inventory. Ordered by the Condon Company, Kay Shinn.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma;
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;
Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency, general view from southwest. Sign of Walker Apartments at far left of photo. Photograph taken on June 23, 1949. Ordered by Bonnell Construction Company.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mueller-Harkins showroom, ordered by Bonnell Construction Co. An exterior view of the very modern automobile showroom built by Mueller-Harkins showing the two circular display windows that each contained a revolving stage for the newest models of Buick automobiles. The large, monolithic tower displaying the name "Buick" in neon on top has recently been completed. The sign for the Walker Apartment Hotel can be seen on the far left, across Saint Helens Avenue.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Mueller-Harkins had been an authorized Buick dealership in tacoma since 1916; they had recently opened their one-stop automotive center at 455 Saint Helens Avenue in Tacoma's business district. View of progress on the "Buick" sign at Mueller-Harkins Motor Company, the dealership had their open house for their new and modern facilities in December 1948. Photo ordered by Comfort, Davis and Blangy, a real estate and insurance business in Tacoma.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Progress photographs; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma);
Equipment at Mueller-Harkins, Walker Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wisconsin, Mr. Spaulding. A view of Mueller-Harkins' service area. Grease racks are shown with two late 1940s Buicks in the service bays, one lifted on a rack for easy access. A roll-away lube cart, overhead hoses for air, water, grease, etc., are seen with the two men working.
Equipment at Mueller-Harkins, Walker Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wisconsin, Mr. Spaulding. Mueller-Harkins' service area. Two men are seen working on two late 1940s Buicks on grease racks. A roll-away lube cart is between the two service bays that are both fitted with overhead hoses for air, water, grease, etc.
Equipment at Mueller-Harkins, Walker Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wisconsin. Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency, service area. Two late 1940s Buicks are in for servicing. The service bays are outfitted with grease racks, a roll-away lube cart, and overhead hoses for air, water, grease, etc.
Motors Insurance Co., several different views at Mueller-Harkins Motor Company, Mr. Mueller. Two men stand at the Insurance Department service window. An employee explains the plan to a customer wearing a three-piece tweed suit.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Insurance;
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;
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
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).
