ca. 1957. Rowland Pontiac - Cadillac dealership. New Cadillacs in showroom, used Pontiacs, Cadillacs and other automobiles in carport area and outside. Neon service sign, moved here from Commerce St. side of old downtown location, at far right in photo. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac was located on South Tacoma Way, the city's "auto row." Irwin-Jones Motor Co.'s Truck Department was the former occupant of this site.

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pontiac automobile; Cadillac automobile; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Seeking to make the car-buying experience as pleasant as possible, Titus-Will Ford built its salesman closing office with ceiling-to-floor windows to bring in natural light and provide unobstructed views of the outdoor landscaping. The customer was positioned so that he could rest his eyes on the trees and shrubbery beyond the salesman; lower windows could also be opened to let in fresh air. A salesman is shown on September 16, 1969, pointing out the details of a new Ford in a glossy magazine to a prospective client. Photograph ordered by the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan, for a "dealers publication."

Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company, service area. Several 1940s and early 1950s Pontiacs and Cadillacs undergoing repair. The man on the left is working on the brakes of an automobile.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma);

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company's body shop area. Several 1940's and early 1950's Pontiacs are undergoing body damage repair by staff.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

The exterior of Titus Motor Company with vehicles on street and in the showroom. There are many neon and painted signs. The company's 1906 Ford Model N is parked at the far right. The Elizabethan-style brick building was designed by Roland Borhek, Architect, and built circa 1926.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile;

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)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma);

Murphy-Campbell Caterpiller Company, the new Southwest Washington distrubutor for Caterpillar Tractor, was one of the many progressive firms in Tacoma leasing cars through Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company. To help salemen and executives cover territories with speed, comfort and efficiency, Murphy-Campbell chose nine Buicks from Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency and two Cadillacs. Frank J. Murphy was president of Murphy-Campbell. Bernard C. Campbell was vice president and Robert L. Brown served as secretary. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8)

Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma;

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan is welcomed to Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue South after his arrival on June 9, 1954, for the laying of the cornerstone on the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan received a TPD motorcycle escort and a ride in a new convertible courtesy of Mr. Ridge's dealership. Ray Ridge is on the right in the light suit; man shaking hands with Mr. Sullivan is tentatively identified as Judge George Boldt. Mr. Ridge, Mr. Sullivan and Judge Boldt would be among the honored guests at a 1500 person celebration of the new hospital held at the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Mallon Motor Company, staff banquet held at the Tacoma Club celebrating the dealership's receipt of Ford Motor Company's "4 Letter Award" for the 1955 model year. The award was presented each year to the dealer that qualified in the following classifications: sound finances, management efficiency and completely modern facilities. The dinner was hosted by Robert Mallon who served as Master of Ceremonies. Tommy Mallon, the President of Mallon Motors, is seated to the far right of the picture; to his left is Abel Rigney, Mallon Sales Manger; to his left is J.C. Hogue, Ford's Field Manager; standing directly behind Mallon is C.J. Powell, Ford's District Sales Manager. The man standing third from the right in the back row has been identified as Harold Nutley. (TNT 3/11/1956, pg. A-6)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Mallon, Thomas; Rigney, Abel;

Esther Williams Girl poses on top of a sports car in front of Imported Motors Cars, Inc. The automobile is a Jaguar. Although the bathing beauty is not named; the driver of the Jaguar is Pat Martin, president of Scott-Martin, Inc. Scott-Martin was the Washington distributor of the "Esther Williams Living Pool" that the bathing beauties were in Tacoma to publicize. (TNT 8/2/1959, pg. A-10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Sports cars--English; Imported Motor Cars, Inc. (Tacoma); Publicity; Bathing beauties; Esther Williams Girls; Martin, Pat;

Ray Ridge Motors, Lincoln/Mercury dealer. New automobiles in showroom windows. Ford station wagon, Oldsmobile, 1958 Mercury, Chevrolet, small foreign car, likely a Simca, and Ford pickup truck at curb. From series, customers of KTVW-TV, Ch. 13.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Television advertising;

The sidewalks were packed on March 1, 1957, as potential car buyers streamed into Steven Motor Co.'s open house. Local residents were asked to "look around" at all the different used cars for sale to see how much money they could save that evening. Convenient terms to suit each individual buyer could be arranged. Steven Motor Co. was a Chrysler and Plymouth dealership, selling both used and new cars. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, general view of agency. Neon signs on building and posts, new Plymouths in showroom window and on outdoor lot, used car department beyond. Steven Motor Co. was located at 2705 South Tacoma Way. It would once again add Chrysler to the company's Plymouth-Valiant sales and service facilities in 1962. Armand Moceri was the manager and Everett Steven, president. (TNT ad 1-1-62, B-12,13)

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac agency, Olympia, general view of dealership. Shed-roofed service wing with Pontiac and Cadillac in the bays and abstract mural on exterior wall to left in photo, A-frame showroom with two 1964 Pontiacs in windows at right. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.

Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia)

Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac agency, Olympia, general view of A-frame showroom with two 1964 Pontiacs in windows, naturalistic landscaping with water feature in foreground. This May, 1964, photograph of an automobile dealership was a far cry from the stark car lots normally seen in larger cities. The A-frame wooden structure with multiple glass windows and the freshly landscaped surroundings would present a more soothing atmosphere in which to view cars. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.

Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia);

Osborne-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, view of service lot from the northwest. Many 1950s to early 1960s automobiles are parked in back of the dealership. Cars were still quite large and roomy at that time. There is a motorcycle trike with company name on it in the rear and a Cadillac Coupe de Ville with front body damage at right center. TPL-9231

Osborn-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobiles--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1969. South Tacoma Motor Company, exterior view into Service Entrance, during the summer of 1969. A Chevrolet Suburban is parked in front of Credit Manager Lloyde Holstrom's office door. Master Charge sign at top right, Coca-Cola machine with service awards hanging above inside building. South Tacoma Motor Co. was an authorized Chevrolet dealer and was proud to offer qualified technicians. Fast, expert and low-cost, the South Tacoma Motor Co. guaranteed its work. "It's the 'Know-How' that Counts" was used as their motto in the 1969 City Directory. Photograph ordered by Harry S. Pearson, Seattle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

South Tacoma Motor Company, outdoor view. Customer and salesman approach 1968 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop with 327 V8 for a test drive. Another Impala is parked at curb. North Pacific Bank is across the street. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

South Tacoma Motor Company, view of showroom. Customers admire 1968 Chevrolets: Chevelle 4-door in foreground, Nova SS at left center, two Impalas at right. Vintage Chevrolet roadster, believed to be a 1914 Royal Mail, in left background. Bob's Burger Barn can be spotted through the dealership's large windows across the street in the Food King Supermarket parking lot. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit. TPL-6546

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970;

On January 4, 1968, prospective car buyers milled around the showroom of South Tacoma Motor Company, at 5602-08 South Tacoma Way, admiring the new 1968 Chevrolets. An employee pointed out the fine workmanship of the Camaro SS-350 to a prospective buyer, a military man in dress uniform. Another salesman chatted with a young woman who was testing the passenger seat of a Camaro RS-327 convertible. Also pictured was the new Impala 4-door sedan with 327 V-8 engine. Photograph ordered by John Handy Organization, Detroit. TPL-10261

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Military personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

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.;

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;

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);

Winner of Mercury Automobile Contest in front of Titus Motor Company. Man hands envelope to another man across the hood of a 1940 Mercury. Leon Titus at far right. Titus Motor Co. was offering a special prize for gasoline economy. Beginning January 27, 1940, contestants could drive a special Mercury 8 equipped with a gasoline meter. First prize in the contest, 50 gallons of gasoline, would be awarded to the driver with the best mileage. The new Mercury 8 averaged 20 miles per gallon.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.; Mercury automobile; Contests;

Ford Good Drivers League publicity for Titus Motor Company. Lincoln Delux sedan with logo on door in front of Public Safety Building. L to R: Leon Titus, unknown, Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, Police Chief Einar Langseth.

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