The Motor Parts Service Company was a national supplier of standard auto parts for all autos, trucks, and tractors brands. They offered motor rebuilding and machine shop services to the public and garage equipment to the industry.  One of the interesting things about this photograph is that if one looks very closely, one can see the reflection in the window of the Burgert Brothers photographer standing on top of his vehicle to take the photo, the same way they took many shots. The Floridan Hotel, once the largest structure in Tampa, can be seen in the background.

Records are scarce about the building. Western Auto, another national auto parts store, looks like it took over here from Motor Parts in 1953. They were there until 1959, when Rapco, Inc. moved in, followed by Sam’s Transmissions in the mid-1960s.  It is difficult to determine when the building was demolished, but given its proximity to the Central Ave district, a primarily African American neighborhood once called the Scrub before the entire area was destroyed in the name of urban renewal in the 1960s, it is possible this building was included. It is now a parking lot

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved