In 1949, Joseph Franc along with his wife, Mae Franc, began what is now
Franc Motors Inc. as a Chevrolet dealership known as Franc Chevrolet. Joseph
Franc was the owner and Mae was the bookkeeper. New cars and trucks were
sold, general repairs were done, and Esso gas pumps were in operations.
In 1967, many changes began to occur. Joseph Franc suddenly became ill
and General Motors terminated Franc Chevrolet as a dealership. Rather than
close the family owned business, Mae Franc, Harry Ostien, her son in law,
Evelyn Ostien, her daughter, and Richard Ostien, her grandson, decided to
change the name to Franc Motors Inc. and operate as a general repair facility. At
that time Harry became the President, Rick, the Vice-President, and Mae, the
Secretary-Treasurer. When Mae became ill years later, Evelyn, assumed her
position as Secretary-Treasurer.
In 1968, Franc Motors Inc. acquired its first tow truck and began to offer
towing and recovery service. Ten years later in 1978, a Car Carrier was added,
this was the first Car Carrier in the Willington/Storrs area. As the years passed,
the towing side of the business progressed and in 1988, Rick initiated a heavy-
duty towing service. Franc Motors Inc. started heavy-duty towing and recovery
with a Brigadeer, a Car Carrier, two wreckers, and a power wagon. The motto
was “On call 24 ½ hours a day.” Heavy-duty towing lasted until 1994 when Rick
decided to offer towing only during operation hours instead of 24 hour service.
Franc Motors Inc. as a Chevrolet dealership known as Franc Chevrolet. Joseph
Franc was the owner and Mae was the bookkeeper. New cars and trucks were
sold, general repairs were done, and Esso gas pumps were in operations.
In 1967, many changes began to occur. Joseph Franc suddenly became ill
and General Motors terminated Franc Chevrolet as a dealership. Rather than
close the family owned business, Mae Franc, Harry Ostien, her son in law,
Evelyn Ostien, her daughter, and Richard Ostien, her grandson, decided to
change the name to Franc Motors Inc. and operate as a general repair facility. At
that time Harry became the President, Rick, the Vice-President, and Mae, the
Secretary-Treasurer. When Mae became ill years later, Evelyn, assumed her
position as Secretary-Treasurer.
In 1968, Franc Motors Inc. acquired its first tow truck and began to offer
towing and recovery service. Ten years later in 1978, a Car Carrier was added,
this was the first Car Carrier in the Willington/Storrs area. As the years passed,
the towing side of the business progressed and in 1988, Rick initiated a heavy-
duty towing service. Franc Motors Inc. started heavy-duty towing and recovery
with a Brigadeer, a Car Carrier, two wreckers, and a power wagon. The motto
was “On call 24 ½ hours a day.” Heavy-duty towing lasted until 1994 when Rick
decided to offer towing only during operation hours instead of 24 hour service.
About Our Business
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| Harry Ostien and long time customer John Tanaka in front of John's Father's restored '35 Ford Pick-up. |
Over the years Franc Motors Inc. has been an active member in the
community. With financial support for charities and schools in both local and
surrounding area towns. For several years the Car Carrier was an active
decorated participant in the annual Homecoming Parade at UCONN.
For the past 59 years honest, prompt, and quality service has been the
cornerstone. Harry, Evelyn, and Rick Ostien operated the family-owned
business for many years. Today, Rick still operates Franc Motors Inc. with the
assistance of his son, Matt. Four ASE certified Technicians are employed and
general repairs and towing/recovery are still offered on foreign and domestic
cars and trucks.
community. With financial support for charities and schools in both local and
surrounding area towns. For several years the Car Carrier was an active
decorated participant in the annual Homecoming Parade at UCONN.
For the past 59 years honest, prompt, and quality service has been the
cornerstone. Harry, Evelyn, and Rick Ostien operated the family-owned
business for many years. Today, Rick still operates Franc Motors Inc. with the
assistance of his son, Matt. Four ASE certified Technicians are employed and
general repairs and towing/recovery are still offered on foreign and domestic
cars and trucks.
The picture above is a front view of Franc Motors Inc. during operation hours. As the
years passed the appearance of the facility has changed. The shop began with 4 bays
and now has 8 bays with the addition completed in 1999.
years passed the appearance of the facility has changed. The shop began with 4 bays
and now has 8 bays with the addition completed in 1999.