the start

Newton Winfield Congdon was born on Beach Street, Foxborough Massachusetts in 1905. Newt graduated from Foxborough High School in 1923 and went on to study at Boston University. As a young adult Newt worked as a bookkeeper along side his friend Dexter Fairbank, a mechanic at Collier Ford. This was the local Ford dealership located in the current Rockland Trust parking lot in downtown Foxborough.

The beginning

Newt and Dexter decided to leave Collier Ford and start their own business. Congdon Auto Center Inc originated as Fairbank Congdon Co, a partnership formed by Dexter Fairbank and Newton Congdon in 1928. The company started out selling new Oakland which eventually became Pontiac as well as Oldsmobile vehicles. Fairbank & Congdon also provided repairs services and sold Jenny gas as well.

early years

Starting a new business always has many challenges and with the Great Depression right around the corner Newt faced some tough times. But business took off after world war II . With the passing of Dexter Fairbank in 1951, Newt moved the Oldsmobile Pontiac franchise from Main street to South street on Foxborough common. Newt continued as a single proprietorship while still under the name Fairbanks Congdon CO. until his retirement in 1975. The company now lead by his sons Bruce & Dana was renamed Congdon Pontiac Olds.

bright future

Under new leadership second generation brothers Bruce and Dana added the Auto Body division in 1980 and continued the new car dealership franchise until the late 1990’s. After the passing of Newt Congdon in 1997 and the realization that mom and pops new car dealerships were fading into history, it was at this time Bruce and Dana thought it would be best to relinquish the franchises and become an independant car dealer. After becoming a independent service business in 1997 a third generation took the reins. After a few challenging transition years, Congdon Auto is again going strong. Bruce’s sons Gary, Scott, and Jay are now running the business . With Gary running the service department, Scott running the sales and auto body divisions, and Jay maintaining all of the grounds/property. There vision is to continue a very old and long running auto service/sales business while incorporating some modern touches. So come and check out one of the longest running auto service shops around your next time in Foxborough.