National Automotive History Collection
Finding aid for Paul's Auto Wash business records
NAHC.285231924
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- National Automotive History Collection
- Creator
- Paul's Auto Wash.
- Title
- Paul's Auto Wash business records
- ID
- NAHC.285231924
- Date [inclusive]
- 1935-1995
- Extent
- 0.5 Linear feet (1 box, 1 large manuscript)
- Language
- English
Biographical/Historical note
Located on W. Fort Street in Detroit, this was the first automatic, conveyor-style car wash in the world, founded by Paul Maraian in 1946. The machine could wash one car every two minutes, and could handle up to 750 cars in one day. By 1954 that number jumped to nearly 2,000. After Paul Maraian died in 1969, his family kept the business open and renovated it to keep up with the times. by the 1980's the business had become computerized, and more efficient dryers and new steam-cleaning brushes were installed. In the early 1990s, however, the Maraian family sold the business and it became known as Hollywood Car Wash. It closed in 1994 and the building was torn down soon afterwords.
Scope and Contents note
Papers contain accounts, correspondence, photographs and newspaper articles about this Detroit company.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
National Automotive History Collection
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open for research use.
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
- Blueprints (reprographic copies)
- Clipping (information artifacts)
- Legal documents
- Photographs
Geographic Name(s)
- Detroit (Mich.)--20th century
Personal Name(s)
- Maraian, Paul, d.1969
Subject(s)
- Business records
- Car wash industry--Michigan--Detroit
Collection Inventory
Box |
Box 1 |
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Accounts 1948-1985 |
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Contracts and agreements 1946-1963 |
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Land records (including abstract of title) 1935-1958; undated |
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Letterhead/Miscellaneous |
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Newspaper and Magazine Articles 1947-1995; undated |
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Photographs |
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Large Manuscript |
LMS 1 |
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Blueprints, 1950 addition |
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Drawing, Car Wash sign |
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