My Adventure at “Ford’s Garage”

American industrialist Henry Ford was the founder of the “motor car” company which today bears his name. During the cold winter months in Michigan he lived in his estate in Fort Myers, Florida. Not far from his Winter home is one of a few pub-style automotive restaurants known as “Ford’s Garage.”

I recently visited the Garage in Cape Coral which is across the Caloosahatchee River from Fort Myers. The Garage is constructed as a 1920’s-style service station. Inside the restaurant and bar are genuine automotive artifacts from the early Ford manufacturing period as well as some influenced with creative license.

Although the food and service were very good, I was captivated by the decor and ingenuity applied to recreate the feel of a garage. Oil rags as “napkins” embraced the dinnerware which was held tight with a hose clamp.

Above the bars are refurbished old Ford motor cars as if they were on garage lifts. Engine blocks, tools, gravity gasoline pumps, oil drums and assorted other service station items are interwoven with tires and photos of Ford, associates, and motor car manufacturing facilities.

Going to the Garage is like going to an automotive museum. Entertaining to explore, the Garage is both fancy as well as true to period design. It is just as enjoyable for its ambiance as well as for its food and drink.

Within this story are several photos taken at the Garage (including the toilets which are uniquely finished).