in the 30's and 40's, the car wash was known as an "Auto Laundry"

http://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_LA_Gas_Stations.html

and look at the guy with the broom handle roof scrubber...

http://autolavaggibellucci.galeon.com/100-Years-of-Car-Wash.html

just to set the record straight, the first production line car wash was in Portland in 1911, though most people think it was Detroit in 1913. (Detroit has better marketing)

The first auotmated car wash was Paul's Automatic Speedy Best Wash, 1946 was the year it opened

http://www.nxtbook.com/naylor/ICWQ/ICWQ0214/index.php?startid=16#/16 this is from Carwash Magazine, an online flip magazine, the official magazine of the International Carwash Association