Discussion
Just tried to edit my originalpost but it got deleted by mistake.
Roger was the Editor of Motor magazine and also very quick behind the wheel of one of the 3 Dealer Team BMW 3.0Si in 1973
He also wrote for Old Motor magazine.
His feature on my / the ex Connery 3.0CSL, in the October 1980 issue of Old Motor is still the finest article written on these cars.
Roger was the Editor of Motor magazine and also very quick behind the wheel of one of the 3 Dealer Team BMW 3.0Si in 1973
He also wrote for Old Motor magazine.
His feature on my / the ex Connery 3.0CSL, in the October 1980 issue of Old Motor is still the finest article written on these cars.
Edited by neutral 3 on Saturday 24th July 00:18
Edited by neutral 3 on Saturday 24th July 00:21
Edited by neutral 3 on Saturday 24th July 00:22
Check out page 3 of this document. I am assuming it's the same Roger Bell. There's a phone number and location included.
http://www.gomw.co.uk/content/documents/f_4d63adf6...
He was also a contributor to Supercar Classics
http://www.gomw.co.uk/content/documents/f_4d63adf6...
He was also a contributor to Supercar Classics
Yes , he was a very quick driver but also a great writer. I beleive it was his ? Mathwall 3.0 SI that was put out of the 73 Avon Tour stage at Landow when the exhaust fell off on a rough stage and was one of the SIs few weeknesses.
His " Cars To Keep " 3.0 CSL Article in the October 1980 Issue of Old Motor is probably the best Article ever written on these cars and is one that I often refer to.
His " Cars To Keep " 3.0 CSL Article in the October 1980 Issue of Old Motor is probably the best Article ever written on these cars and is one that I often refer to.
Roger fired my imagination so much as a 'Motor' staffman in the '60s & '70s. His epic (and brave !) 150mph+ testing of John Woolfe's Cobra 427 (GTM 777F) in 1967 was the first detailed info I'd seen on a car which has obsessed me ever since then (I was twelve.) His detail knowledge, and passionate,charismatic writing was as memorable as his driving talent. In '73 he track tested Mick Hill's Capri racer with Ford V8 power, another cracking 'Motor'report.
Through later decades I actively sought out any test reports of his as he obviously loved cars;and I loved his writing !
Paul/runt
Through later decades I actively sought out any test reports of his as he obviously loved cars;and I loved his writing !
Paul/runt
sophiewheeler said:
Thank you for your kind words about my father Roger Bell. I can confirm he is still alive and still in Selsey. Gregor, I'm very much looking forward to reading your book which I have just ordered. I remember your father well from when I was a small child 
Hi Sophie - please pass on my best to your father and I hope you enjoy the book.There's a thread running over in General Gassing about the 1980s Aston Martin V8 Vantage Zagato. It was Roger Bell who tested the big-bulged red development model for CAR magazine in 1986. He liked it, but didn't think it was worth the extra money over and above the regular V8 Vantage.
Here we are now in 2021 several years after Sophie's last post about her Dad.
Roger is my cousin and I thought it would be good to report we were with him and his wife, Joan, just yesterday in Selsey. Roger suffers from Parkinson's but mentally he's still fine, discussing the finer points of Lewis Hamilton coming together with Max Verstappen at Silverstone last weekend. I'll try to attach a picture.
SB.
Roger is my cousin and I thought it would be good to report we were with him and his wife, Joan, just yesterday in Selsey. Roger suffers from Parkinson's but mentally he's still fine, discussing the finer points of Lewis Hamilton coming together with Max Verstappen at Silverstone last weekend. I'll try to attach a picture.
SB.
Stephen - Roger was very much part of my motoring education , as I read him avidly in Motor, CAR and Supercar Classics . I was thrilled to see him live in the BMW 2002 Tii at Mallory in the Seventies , and he drove as well as he wrote . And that is a big compliment , as his prose was exemplary and I'm sure influenced many younger journalists.
Please pass on my very best wishes to him - it's (God above) well over fifty years since I first pored over my friend's Motor and realised how less stuffy and more playful the writing was to that found in my Autocar ... Along with RAB Cook (a contemporary at Motor - still with us ? ) , Hamish Cardno , Setright and Blain , Roger inspired me to do freelance writing as a sideline to the day job .
Please pass on my very best wishes to him - it's (God above) well over fifty years since I first pored over my friend's Motor and realised how less stuffy and more playful the writing was to that found in my Autocar ... Along with RAB Cook (a contemporary at Motor - still with us ? ) , Hamish Cardno , Setright and Blain , Roger inspired me to do freelance writing as a sideline to the day job .
neutral 3 said:
Roger drove the Mathwall prepared 3.0 Si BMW on the 1973 Avon Tour, was Motor magazines Editor and also wrote atticles for various magazines including Thoroughbred And Classic Cars and also Old Motor.
In the October 1980 Edition of Old Motor , Frank Hedley of Removatop leant Roger a Polaris 3.0 CSL for what Roger described as " A Week Of Fabulous Motoring " .
Frank Hedley was aparently a real character but sadly passed away aroind 20 years ago of Cancer at the young age of 51.
Anyone know if Roger Bell is still around ?
In the October 1980 Edition of Old Motor , Frank Hedley of Removatop leant Roger a Polaris 3.0 CSL for what Roger described as " A Week Of Fabulous Motoring " .
Frank Hedley was aparently a real character but sadly passed away aroind 20 years ago of Cancer at the young age of 51.
Anyone know if Roger Bell is still around ?
I erroneously referred to Roger Bell as an old fart 25 or so years ago when he gave the FWD Elan a bit of a pasting in favour of the original. 
I still stand by by comments that the later car was a better all rounder but hey.
He is a great writer and part of a lost generation - Setright, Tony Curtis, Stuart Bladon and Jeff Daniels amongst many others. These were guys who could drive, write and really knew about cars as opposed to the current trendy driving gods, many of whom seem to be called Ben. It's all a bit shouty now.
I still stand by by comments that the later car was a better all rounder but hey.
He is a great writer and part of a lost generation - Setright, Tony Curtis, Stuart Bladon and Jeff Daniels amongst many others. These were guys who could drive, write and really knew about cars as opposed to the current trendy driving gods, many of whom seem to be called Ben. It's all a bit shouty now.
I spent a day with Roger at MIRA, as I mentioned yonks back on this thread, and he was so thoughtful and considerate. Watching him pirouette the E-type on the wet handling circle, and his driving skill, made it a great day out.
His writing was that of someone who knew his onions (like Tony Dron too) and knew how to drive and I enjoyed his articles immensely, completely unlike the modern day where they make most of it up sitting in a pub. I have had absolute proof of this on several occasions and is the reason I stopped taking classic magazines.
His writing was that of someone who knew his onions (like Tony Dron too) and knew how to drive and I enjoyed his articles immensely, completely unlike the modern day where they make most of it up sitting in a pub. I have had absolute proof of this on several occasions and is the reason I stopped taking classic magazines.
I just thought I'd post up as I bought the July 67 issue of Motor magazine and in it there is an article, written by Roger Bell, on the Amphicar. His way of writing impressed me so much that i thought I would search his name. Glad to see others thought so highly of his writing. My best wishes to him and his family.
e28525e said:
I just thought I'd post up as I bought the July 67 issue of Motor magazine and in it there is an article, written by Roger Bell, on the Amphicar. His way of writing impressed me so much that i thought I would search his name. Glad to see others thought so highly of his writing. My best wishes to him and his family.
I have vague memories of this July 67 feature. Was it driven into the water @ Little Venice ? And does it list his job title as being the Editor of Motor or another job title ?
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