Martin Colvill began selling Lotus cars in South West London in 1966. In March 1970 he was joined by Bobby Bell to form Bell & Colvill. They sold and serviced cars from West Horsley and Caterham for over forty years before selling the business to an enthusiast and local businessman in 2012. Bobby and Martin remained as enthusiastic non-executive directors until their deaths in 2017 and 2022.
Engineering highlights included the design and manufacture of the first Esprit Turbo in 1978, over two years before the factory edition, Alfa-Romeo turbos, and the modification of every type of Lotus. Bell & Colvill was first to see the tuning and track potential of both Elise and Exiges, producing numerous special editions and track upgrades
Since 2012 the business has made significant changes, whilst remaining true to its ethos of providing high-quality customer service and representing exciting brands.
Morgan appointed Bell & Colvill as main dealer in 2013. In 2019, McLaren Automotive appointed Bell & Colvill as the first UK Aftersales only retailer. McLaren Guildford is located at our Guildford aftersales facility which was developed in 2019/2020. Our high-tech aftersales facility on the Slyfield Industrial Estate is home to service and parts departments for Lotus, McLaren, Morgan, Subaru and Saab.
Our Iconic West Horsley site has been renovated and continues as our head office and sales location for Lotus, Morgan and Subaru.
Bell & Colvill are proud to have received the following accolades.
2020 - Lotus Aftersales Retailer of the year.
2020 - Number 1 for Lotus Sales in the UK.
2021 - UK & Europe, retailer of the year.
2023 - Best McLaren Approved Aftersales Centre – Voted for by Drivers Union Members.
Bell & Colvill will continue to work with manufacturers that represent a distinctively unique identity.
