ca. 1925. Winthrop Motor Company, REO automobile dealership, general view of building from northwest. Brick structure with overhanging shed roof and exposed beam ends. Garage doors on both elevations, automobile visible in showroom window. (WSHS)

Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1926. In 1926 a new Jubilee Moon 6-60 from the Bye Thompson Motor Sales Company located at 3320 South G Street took on the steep K Street hill. The K Street hill between Center Street and South 27th had such a steep grade that it was used as a testing ground for the power of new cars. The Jubilee Moon was produced to celebrate 20 years of manufacturing by the Moon Motor Co. (1905-1929) of St. Louis, MO. The car, which sold for under $1,000, was reported to be of European design adapted to American traffic needs. The Moon and Diana motor car agent in Tacoma was the Bye Thompson Motor Sales Company; Bye Thompson was president of the company which sold and serviced the vehicles. This steep, rugged portion of K St. closed about 1960. Holy Rosary Church can be seen in the background. (filed with Argentum) (information on the Moon Jubilee from an August 7, 1926 ad in the Saturday Evening Post)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bye Thompson Motor Sales Co. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Moon automobiles; Dirt roads--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On April 22nd-23rd 1927, the Daimler-Knight limousine, once owned by England's King George V was on display at Manley Motor Co., 956-58 Fawcett Ave. The vehicle had been built especially for King George V in England in 1910. He used it until 1924. After its 14 years of service, it was being driven across the US in a cross country tour. It could reach speeds of up to 52mph, got 6 1/2 miles per gallon of gas and carried 35 gallons. Alongside the Daimler is a Willys Knight 70 sedan. Standing in the front, left to right, are James Teale (driver of the car on its US tour,) Harry Manley (pres. Manley Motors,) Capt. Gardner of the Tacoma Police Dept. at the wheel, Chief of Police M.D. Guy and Joe Willits (shop superintendent Manley Motors.) (TDL 4/24/1927, pg. G-7) TPL-7179

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Willys-Knight automobile; Daimler-Knight automobile; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Manley, Harry;

The Daimler-Knight limousine in the center of this photograph was once owned by England's King George V. It was met at Tacoma's city limits by Harry Manley and two local police officers who escorted it to the Manley Motor Company at South 9th and Fawcett where it was to be on display April 22-23, 1927. The vehicle had been built for the King in 1910 at a price tag of $17,000 and had been used continuously for 14 years. It was still capable of doing 60 mph and had 174,000 miles while in service to the king. The odometer on it had over 196,000 miles by the time it reached Tacoma. Behind the limo is a Willys-Knight 66-A "foursome." Pictured left to right are Sgt. Charles Rhors and Officer Harold Thornberg on motorcycles, R.J. Tarte (Motor Transport Co.- Seattle), Capt. Fred Gardner, Police Chief M.D. Guy, Harry Manley, James Teale (Willys-Knight) and shop foreman Joe Willett. (T.Times 4/23/1927, pg. 9) (Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Willys-Knight automobile; Daimler-Knight automobile; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Manley, Harry; Rhors, Charles; Thornberg, Harold; Tarte, R.J.; Gardner, Fred; Guy, M.D.; Teale, James; Willett, Joe;

As more people sought to own their own automobiles, the staff of Manley Motor Co., 956-58 Fawcett Ave., grew in the same proportion. The president of the company was Harry R. Manley. They were the authorized dealers for Overland, Willys-Knight and Whippet automobiles. Pictured in the top row, left to right in May of 1927, are Harry Manley, Dolly Wescott, Lloyd Munter, J.B. Clausen, N.W. Powers, K. McDonald and Ray Coops. Front row: Joe Willett, Art Lee, Phil Service, Omar Ferris, E.J. Atchinson, J.T. Owens, Herman Riggins, F.R. Grimm, Harold Hayden, Art Rossell and Leo Bauer. (TDL 5/22/1927, pg. G3) (WSHS)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1927. A woman steps into a car in front of what appears to be Manley Motor Co., official dealer for Overland and Willys-Knight automobiles. (WSHS)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1927. Whippet Automobile on Coast to Coast trip in front of Manley Motor Company Inc. Manley was the official dealer for Overland and Willys-Knight automobiles. The Whippet automobile was manufactured from 1926-1931 by Willys Overland. The Whippet was an affordable vehicle designed to compete with Ford's Model T. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Whippet automobile;

Miss Marjorie Pierce stands next to her 1933 Chrysler Six sedan recently purchased from the American Motor Co. Store manager Grover E. Wakefield is at the left of the photograph. American Motors would open their new showrooms at South 9th and "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) on November 20, 1933. The Chrysler and Plymouth dealership offered service departments to handle everything from complete overhauls and body building to regular service station jobs. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-19-33, 7A)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; American Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chrysler automobile; Pierce, Marjorie; Wakefield, Grover E.;

Staff of American Motor Company just prior to their November, 1933, move to new and more spacious quarters at South 9th and "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) Sts. Fifteen men and two women posed in front of window bearing a "Chrysler Service" logo. Managers Grover E. Wakefield (third from left in second row) and Robert M. Jackson (second from left in second row) were in charge of the Chrysler & Plymouth dealership, the successor to the American Automobile Co. Opened there in 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression, the agency lasted less than two years. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-19-33, 7A)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; American Motor Co. (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Wakefield, Grover E.; Jackson, Robert M.;

Marjorie Pierce, dressed in a fur coat, leans against a large and elegant 1933 Chrysler 4-door sedan in front of the new showrooms of American Motor Company at South 9th and K Street. Building features Doric columns interspersed with spindled show windows. American Motors would open their Chrysler and Plymouth dealership at this new location on November 20, 1933. TPL-7160

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; American Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chrysler automobile; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fur garments; Pierce, Marjorie;

On November 20, 1933, American Motors, Inc. of Tacoma moved their Chrysler/Plymouth dealership to 824 K St. (now 824 Martin Luther King Jr. Way). Built in 1925 by Mutual Motors, the building offered large showrooms, a fully equipped service department and a service station. The dealership lasted at this location for only two years, and in 1939 the building was taken over by the Olympic Dairy Products Co. Note the street car lines in from of the building.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; American Motor Co. (Tacoma); Depressions--1929;

ca. 1933. Walker Chevrolet Company. View of showroom, three automobiles, advertising posters, auto parts display, fancy transom with Chevrolet logo over doorway. Ordered by Mr. Donahue. (WSHS)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Walker Chevrolet Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

Members of the sales, service and office crew of Kerr Motors in Bremerton. The group portrait of the staff, 21 men and three women, was taken to commemorate the Grand Opening March 6, 1936 of Kerr's new modern one stop service station on 4th St., near Washington Ave. Pictured left to right in the picture are, front row, William Weber, Sig Ness, Lincoln Morse, Paul Peirson, Harold Johnson and Earl Spiecker. Middle row- Everett West, Leslie Mottram. Les Klesper, Lorieta Mogford, S.L. Kerr-owner, Marie Gilbert, Frank McCarty, Charles Taylor and Loren Brown. Back row- Kenneth Spotts, Joe Thomas, Carlos Burton, Edgar Sandstrom, Vera Lamb, Arthur Hupp, Vernon Arndt, Earl Dyer and Joe Dick. The three year old company was growing rapidly, selling new Fords and used cars as well as supplies and service. The service station was located across the street from the dealership. For Bremerton Sun. (Bremerton Sun 3/5/1936, pg. 1)

Automobile dealerships--Bremerton--1930-1940; Kerr, Motors--Bremerton;

Interior shot at Titus Motor Co., 616-24 Broadway, with a Ford automobile up on the rack and white jacketed mechanics hard at work. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Interior shot at Titus Motor Co., 616-24 Broadway, with a Ford automobile up on the rack and white jacketed mechanics hard at work. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with vehicles parked on street. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethan-style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with vehicles parked on street. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethan-style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

This May 1939 advertising photograph shows the wide range of Ford commercial vehicles sold by Titus Motor Co. on display in front of the Victorian style Seymour Conservatory at Wright Park. The glass conservatory, one of only three on the West Coast, was a gift to the citizens of Tacoma by Tacoman businessman William W. Seymour. The building, designed by I.J. Knapp, opened in November of 1908 and gave the average Tacoman their first glance at the foliage of the tropics. In 1938, Leon Titus, a 25 year veteran in the automotive sales business, got his foot in the door in Tacoma by being awarded the downtown dealership of Ford, Ford Mercury and Lincoln Zephyr. The dealership moved into the old Pacific Car Co. building at 618-624 Broadway, where they remained until the mid 1960's. As a boy, Leon Titus had worked for the Marmon-Nordyke Co., manufacturer of the Marmon automobile. The Titus family is still heavily involved in the automotive business today. (TNT 12/15/1938, pg. 11)

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks; Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Greenhouses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with parked automobiles and double-parked service truck. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethean style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, c.1926.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Automobile in service department at Titus Motor Company.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This Elizabethan-style brick building at 616-24 Broadway in downtown Tacoma was designed by Roland Borhek. Built for the Pacific Car Co. in 1919, it was taken over in 1938 by the Titus Motor Co. In recent years it has been home to several car rental dealers. Roland E. Borhek was the primary architect for many Tacoma buildings including the Rialto Theater and Jason Lee Intermediate School.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Service department at Titus Motor Company. Mercury sedan over greasepit, mechanic working under automobile.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mercury automobile;

Repair shop at Titus Motor Co. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Repair shop at Titus Motor Co. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

On October 2, 1939, Clara Thorsen is receiving the title from an unidentified member of the Ray Roberts Post 969 VFW for the new 1939 Studebaker Champion that she won. On winning, Miss Thorsen confided to the members that she is to be married the following month to Earl Heltsley, a driver for the Municipal Belt Bus Line. The pair will use the new vehicle to take a honeymoon trip to California. Allen Motor Co. building in background. Studebaker logo on storefront windows. Miss Thorsen is 24 years old and resides at 3623 McKinley Ave. She is a clerk at Fishers Department Store. (T. Times 10/5/1939, pg. 16)

Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; Thorsen, Clara; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma);

On October 2, 1939, Clara Thorsen received her title to a new 1939 Studebaker Champion from an unidentified VFW member. She won the car at a Ray C. Roberts Post 969, VFW benefit ball. Miss Thorsen confided that she was getting married the following month and planned on using the vehicle for a honeymoon trip to California. The lucky young lady was 24 years old and a clerk at Fishers Department Store. She picked up her car at the Allen Motor Co. building, which advertised itself as being "opposite the Temple Theater". (T. Times 10/5/1939, pg. 16)

Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; Thorsen, Clara; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma);

Showing of the new 1940 Fords at Titus Motor Company. Man handing a ribbon to another man across the hood of a 1940 Ford. Men, some wearing "It's Ford in '40" caps, mingle around the showroom. The new 1940 Fords were being described as big, substantial and powerful, with a modern front end design and streamlined body.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile;

The pristine repair shop at Titus Motor Co. Shiny Fords line the right side, one on a lift at the rear. On the left front is a motorcycle.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile;

Titus Motor Company throws a party celebrating the new 1940 Fords. A line has formed to receive free hot dogs and sodas at the celebration. Many of the attendees wear "It's a Ford in '40" caps.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile;

ca. 1939. This elegant, Elizabethan style building at 618-24 Broadway was built in 1919 for the Pacific Car Company from a design by Roland Borhek, who also drew the plans for the Rialto Theater. The Titus Motor Company, dealers for Ford vehicles, took over the building in December of 1938. As Titus Motor Company, and later as Titus - Will Ford, they occupied this building until the mid-1960s when they moved from downtown Tacoma to 3606 South Sprague.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);