WHEN Jon Stevens launched his motorcycle and motor businesses he knew he wanted to honour his dad.
As a result Franks Motorcycles was born and named after his father.
“I wanted to do this in memory of my dad,” Jon said.
“I think it’s true that people are only really gone when you stop talking about them. So, for me, keeping that name alive was the thing I wanted to drive.”
Franks Motorcycles has become a staple in the biking community and a safe space for everyone.
Hosting special events, track days, and visitors at the on-site café, the firm also recently raised more than £14,000 for men’s charity Movember by partaking in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.
Jon said: “We’ve got a very good community over there, which is fantastic.”
One of his neighbours, and now his business partner for Franks Motor Company, is Will Ralph.
At 62 years old, Will is a first-generation farmer who looks after his land full time.
He started work on several farms after leaving school in 1979, until one owner offered the chance to buy land off him.
“My father and I had so many arguments that I wanted to be a farmer,” Will recalled.
“I had the idea of starting a free-range chicken farm. There were no buildings, it was just land, so we obtained the planning permissions.
“My father had to sell his house to get enough funds together, and we lived in two caravans—it was a mud bath.
“Three years later we built the house together once we got permission. It went from there. The chickens made money, we had dairy cows very early on, and I just fell in love with the whole thing.”
One of Will’s favourite aspects was the machines of the farm, which was a natural progression from his love of motors.
At the age of 12, he and a friend acquired a Puch Maxi moped which they used to race around the yard.
His chemistry teacher at Stanway School, Mr Smith, offered to teach them how to grind the valves in and put the engine back together.
As soon as he turned 17, Will was racing at the oval dirt track of Braintree Auto Club in a Mini he built himself. It’s where he met his wife of 42 years, Debbie, who was in the ladies’ races.
Will spent the past few decades working his farm and loving every moment, until he hit 60, where he “had a real good focus on life and what was going to be important in the future.”
He said: “I knew I’d love to do something new with cars, as the only thing I ever did when I was young was the stock car racing.
“They brought an old formula out for old codgers like me called classic hot rods, where they all raced in the 70s and 80s cars.”
Will got set to participate, but at the first meeting in March 2023, he began to suffer from a severe reoccurring ear infection.
He went to hospital, and then had a run of various health issues until eventually, they discovered Will was suffering from prostate cancer. He had 40 biopsies.
“It was the worst time in my life by a long way,” he said. “I had no energy; I couldn’t do anything.
“I couldn’t even drive the tractor home at times, but you have to work, because you have to get your crops in.”
As Christmas approached, Will could barely walk across his yard, and doctors discussed having his prostate removed.
“I thought, what I am I going to do?” Will recalled. “You know you’ll probably survive it, but can you work properly? Can I do what I do now?”
At this time, Jon’s father was fresh in his mind. Frank Stevens had gone into hospital on Christmas Day, 1997, and passed away on New Year’s Eve.
While he and Will didn’t yet know each other beyond neighbourly chats, Will’s health brought on a fresh wave of emotions for Jon, particularly when he heard that Will’s cancer might be terminal.
But then, miraculously, the news came that Will was all clear.
Jon said: “It was just the best news I’ve ever had. And that’s when I properly got to know Will.
“For me, it’s about Will’s positivity. He totally saw this as the light to turn around and start a new life, and it was a wake-up call for me.”
In a single conversation, the pair had the idea to start Franks Motor Company. Within a weekend, it was up and running in Will’s refurbished chicken shed.
Since February, they’ve already acquired an impressive range of cars. The business runs appointment-only, so that the tranquillity of Will’s home is preserved, and customers can have a more intimate experience.
Jon’s only request was to continue the name Franks, which Will accepted.
Jon shared: “We both had that same mindset to say this is something we want to look at doing for the enjoyment part as opposed to the pressure of having to do it as a business.
“The key thing was to keep things very simple. And this is simple.”
He continued: “I love Will’s enthusiasm when he comes over; I love the energy he brings out. He has inspired me, 100 per cent.”
Will found the business has already “enhanced life enormously.”
The farmer said: “This business means eventually I can take it a bit easier, because spending 14 to 15 hours in a tractor on your own for 30 years… When I hit 60 that changed. I want to see more people.”
The first car they sold was a Morris E, which became fondly known as Douglas, and went to a man Will had known 30 years ago who was also suffering from prostate cancer.
Will said: “What a coincidence that the first car we should sell would be to a gentleman I’d known 30 years ago who has gone through what I went through, and he’s gone straight out and bought himself another car.”
He continued: “I’ve never believed too much in religion, but something happened at Christmas. Nearly everything was doom and gloom for so many months.
“I am happier.”
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