Franklin Adams, better known as Mike is a quiet unassuming man who had a dream he has brought to reality.
His love of the Ford Motor Company and his appreciation of business as it was in years past gave him the idea to build his own garage one day. Somewhere in the mix, after having had the opportunity to work for Ray Badge at the dealership known as Badge Motors, he decided that not only would he like to have his own garage, but he also wanted to dedicate it to two Ford dealerships, Cabic & Badge and Badge Motors.
Cabic & Badge first opened their doors in 1931 at 3570 Latta Road in North Greece.That Ford dealership owned by Ed Cabic and Ray Badge flourished for over thirty years.
The building consisted of a small showroom, office, parts room and the work areas in the back. The dealership quickly became well known for their high quality of service and workmanship. The friendly atmosphere created a great spot for men to chat with friends while waiting for their cars.
n those days, everyone knew each other so taking the car to the garage took on a social air as well. Mike smiled as he remembered taking his 1957 in for inspection. While he was waiting, the fire whistle blew. All the men were firemen so as they dashed by Mike, they hollered, “Don’t forget to close the door when you leave.” No car inspection that day. Yes, those were the good old days without a doubt.
In 1964, Cabic and Badge on Latta Road closed with Ray Badge re-opening a short time later at a new location on Lake Avenue in Hilton. Badge Motors operated at that location from 1964 until 1971. It was during that time that Mike had an opportunity to work directly with the men he admired. Familiar names such as Ken Speer, Dave Griffin and Bill Stark were tossed around as Mike related stories of working there.
It was not unusual to arrive at work to see several farm trucks waiting to be tuned up for the coming season. The men would arrive to pick them up, making payment, but in addition on any given fall morning, bushels of all sorts of produce would mysteriously have been delivered before daybreak.
In 2006, Mike’s son, David, built the dream garage behind their home in Parma. When one enters the spotless building, aside from all the modern day tools, one takes a step back in time. The garage is filled with old tools and memorabilia acquired from gas stations or dealerships of the past as well as the many donations by family and friends. Mike knows the history of each and will happily relate their origin to you. As you look around one expects to see Ed Cabic, corn cob pipe in hand, or Ray ‘Bub’ Badge or Ken ‘Senator’ Speer, stick their head out from under a hood to see if they can help you. Time seems to stand still.
Franklin, “Mike” and his wife, Anne “Rocky” Adams are life-long residents of Parma. They belong to several antique car clubs. It is not at all unusual for Mike to pick up several first place awards at the Hilton Apple Fest car show. He has restored several cars receiving national recognition through magazine articles, one of which featured his 1937 Ford Station Wagon, a “Woodie,” on the cover. His latest venture is a Model A Tow truck built to honor the Cabic & Badge dealership, a true expression of love and admiration by one guy for a couple of men who crossed his path and made a difference.
Writers note: My dad, Jack Lowden, bought my first typewriter from Cabic & Badge for $5 in the mid-forties. How I wish I still had it – I would give it to Mike Adams.
