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;

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);

Titus Motor Company, service department. Ford sedan parked on lowered lift rack, man appears to be checking headlight alignment with an adjustable screen on a post. Man in automobile, another giving him instructions. Parts delivery van at rear.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Titus Motor Company Tacoma Streets - Broadway

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);

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);

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's gift for the first born baby in Tacoma in 1941 was a ride home for mother and child in a 1941 Super Deluxe Ford. The 9 pound 3 ounce baby boy arrived at 12:08 a.m. at the County Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parham of 6002 So. Mason making them winners of the Tacoma News Tribune Stork Derby for 1941.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parham, Herbert--Family;Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The winner of the Tacoma News Tribune Stork Derby for 1941, the first baby of the year, was a 9 pound, 3 ounce baby boy born to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parham at 12:08a.m. on January 1, 1941. One of the prizes was a ride home from the County Hospital in a 1941 Super DeLuxe Ford for the new family. The vehicle was supplied by Titus Motors. (TNT 1/2/1941, pg. 1)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parham, Herbert--Family;Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ask us to show you how the Biggest Ford in 38 Years out-measures the 'other two'. Leon Titus, the president of the Titus Motor Company (kneeling, 3rd from left), and his sales crew used specially made "yardsticks" to measure a brand new 1941 Ford V-8 in December of 1940. The "yardsticks" are considerably more than 36 inches long. The 1941 model was claimed by Ford to be the biggest car in its price class. From left to right are Bill Holmes, Arnie Colby, Leon Titus, Harold Davies, Norm Arndt, Fred Hess, John Mamoliti, Del Sprague, Hans Malcom and Jim Will. (T. Times 12/18/1940, pg. 13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile; Will, James W.; Titus, Leon E.;

A shiny, new 1950 Chevrolet De Luxe 2 door sedan was on display in the showroom window at South Tacoma Motor Company in January of 1950. The transom above the large picture window was decorated with a banner, "Now on Display - New Chevrolet for '50". Peter Wallerich founded the South Tacoma Motor Company after he acquired a combined livery business and service store in 1919. He opened his new Chevrolet dealership at 5602 So. Tacoma Way in 1924. During the post-war boom of the 1950's, the South Tacoma Motor Company was selling 200 cars and trucks a year. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-8566

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet automobile; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

South Tacoma Motor Company. A general view of the dealership at night. 1950 Chevrolets are on display in the showroom. A neon sign advertises the dealership at the corner while searchlights on the back of a truck pierce the night sky. South Tacoma Motor Company originated in the late 1800s as Union Street Livery. With the growing popularity of automobiles in the early 1900s, the owners combined the livery business with a service store and garage. Peter Wallerich acquired South Tacoma Motor in 1919. As of 1984 John Wallerich, Peter's grandson, headed the dealership. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-6545

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet automobile; Searchlights--Tacoma--1950-1960;

1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery truck, "Nalley's Inc. Advertising Car LA-63" on display in South Tacoma Motor Company's showroom. Slogan "If It's Nalley's It's Good" and product names "Treasure Pickles" and "Beef Stew" are painted on this side.

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

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;

Engines are taken from Ford cars and trucks, then replaced with a rebuilt engine by the Titus plant, payment is made with the trade in of the old engine and cash. Testing includes the engine being spun at over 800 r.p.m. while its operation, sound and oil pressure are carefully monitored. This service is available to individual owners, garages and Ford dealers. Interior view of Titus Manufacturing Company's engine rebuilding shop, two unidentified men are working on Ford engine parts; one man is operating a fork lift.

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

Titus handled many special orders and custom built trucks to accommodate all types of business needs. Interior view of Ford truck built for Hunt and Mottet Company, a wholesale sporting goods and hardware company. This new truck would allow for them to efficiently deliver to hardware stores throughout Western Washington. The truck has many compartments which help keep the company organized.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hardware; Fishing & hunting gear; Sporting goods; Sporting goods industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

Hunt and Mottet Company, a wholesale sporting goods and hardware company, had just purchased a new Ford truck from Titus Motor Company. This new truck would allow for them to efficiently deliver to hardware stores throughout Western Washington. Interior view of truck; fishing gear and other sporting goods are organized in the many compartments.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hardware; Fishing & hunting gear; Sporting goods; Sporting goods industry--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

Footprints on the sidewalk lead people to South Tacoma Motor Company to see the 1951 Chevrolets. Fourteen passenger body types were included in the 1951 line. Two- and four-door sedans were available in the Styleline and Fleetline series. All sedans and the sport coupe came in de luxe or special trim. A convertible coupe, all-steel station wagon and the Bel Air were exclusively in the de luxe series. The business coupe was only available in the Special series. (TNT, 12/9/1950, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

December was the month to showcase the upcoming year's new automobile models. Here the 1951 Chevrolets, including the Bel Air, are gleaming under the overhead lights of South Tacoma Motor Company at 5602 South Tacoma Way. The Bel Air's white-wall tires set off its new styling, where improvements and changes were featured in both the chassis and body for 1951. Model changes ranged from the "biggest brakes in the low-price field" to longer and lower design innovations. The Powerglide automatic transmission, optional on the deluxe models only, was also refined. Both South Tacoma Motor Co. and Walker Chevrolet would open their showrooms at night during part of December to highlight the impressive catalog of new cars. (TNT, 12/8/1950, p.13-article )

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A general view of the South Tacoma Motor Company at night. The 1951 Chevrolets are seen through the showroom windows. A neon sign is elevated from the corner of the building and a banner promoting "America's Largest and Finest Low-Priced Car" is seen on the transom.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; 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

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

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;

Emerging from the Tacoma White Trucks dealership is a Griffin Fuel Company truck in a photograph taken on August 28, 1950. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began building heavy duty trucks and buses in 1900. The Tacoma White Trucks dealership was located at 2719 South Tacoma Way. Frank Buchanan was the president and manager from 1949 until 1954 according to the Tacoma city directory.

Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Repair shop machinery and equipment for factory representative, Sanford Nash. Specialized machinery for testing automobile performance has been placed up on a ramp where the rear wheels rest against a spinning column. Neon signs hang from the ceiling for "Engine" and "Motor Tune Up".

Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Service area of Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers showing maple floor treated with Lastincote sealer. Several late 1940s Chrysler Corporation automobiles are shown parked in the background. Banners overhead advertise available services. The floor coating was installed by West Disinfecting Company of Seattle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); West Disinfecting Co. (Seattle); Floors--Tacoma;

Copy of customer's retouched print, Mueller-Harkins used car building, Condon Co., a/c Mueller-Harkins.

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

Titus Motor Company, showing of 1946 automobiles. Two men and two women look at board explaining "self centering brakes". Flowers, other people in background.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile;

Titus Motor, Kelly Farquhar and Consolidated Freightways. Three men work in the shipping and receiving area loading and accounting for cartons of car parts and supplies. Photograph taken on September 5, 1945.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950;