Bobby Bell R.I.P
Discussion
Don't normally post on this particular side of the forum but I thought I would let everyone know that Bobby Bell, co-founder of Bell & Colvill in West Horsley, passed away yesterday.
Bobby was Lotus through and through and supported the brand through thick and thin (sometimes very thin!). He gave me my first job in the motor trade and for that I will always be eternally grateful to the old bugger. If you thought you were working hard for him he was very loyal and generous as a boss and was always a massive car enthusiast and motorsport fan. No more will his two catchphrases; "What's going on?" and "Bloody hell!" drift across the Horsley showroom.
I last saw him at Goodwood a few years ago when he was in a jolly mood with his Yardley McLaren. At one stage he ran a Lister, a Maserati 250F and a Ferrari Daytona too and his office shelves were stacked high with Motor Racing books and magazines dating back decades. He was a proper Pistonhead in every sense of the word.
Bye Mr Bell, it was a pleasure to have known you.
Bobby was Lotus through and through and supported the brand through thick and thin (sometimes very thin!). He gave me my first job in the motor trade and for that I will always be eternally grateful to the old bugger. If you thought you were working hard for him he was very loyal and generous as a boss and was always a massive car enthusiast and motorsport fan. No more will his two catchphrases; "What's going on?" and "Bloody hell!" drift across the Horsley showroom.
I last saw him at Goodwood a few years ago when he was in a jolly mood with his Yardley McLaren. At one stage he ran a Lister, a Maserati 250F and a Ferrari Daytona too and his office shelves were stacked high with Motor Racing books and magazines dating back decades. He was a proper Pistonhead in every sense of the word.
Bye Mr Bell, it was a pleasure to have known you.
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Tuesday 14th November 14:57
Awful and very unexpected news. Just came up on my FB feed today. I have very fond memories of Bobby and my time at B&C having worked for him for a few years.
My thoughts are with his family and friends. He was always such a colourful character, so enthusiastic and passionate, he really was a petrolhead through and through. So many funny memories. RIP Bobby.
My thoughts are with his family and friends. He was always such a colourful character, so enthusiastic and passionate, he really was a petrolhead through and through. So many funny memories. RIP Bobby.
Yeah, saw the news on Tuesday, rang the old man to ask him if he'd heard and hadn't, details were sketchy at the time and events have transpired as to the cause, very tragic. My father always spoke highly of both Bobby and Martin and said they were 'go to' people for everything Lotus.
I heard stories of dealer meetings when they would ask Martin and Bobby's advice on Lotus sales related stuff, they were so respected in the industry.
R.I.P. Bobby.
I heard stories of dealer meetings when they would ask Martin and Bobby's advice on Lotus sales related stuff, they were so respected in the industry.
R.I.P. Bobby.
Dodgey_Rog said:
I heard stories of dealer meetings when they would ask Martin and Bobby's advice on Lotus sales related stuff, they were so respected in the industry.
- AFAIK they are the longest running Lotus dealership and have sold a significant proportion of all Lotus cars ever sold in UK.
- I first met him in connection with my Esprit
- They were the first people to turbocharge an Esprit - blowing through a single, large SU carburettor
- Back in the day they created a RHD conversion for the Alfa Spider.
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