The St Albans business with a rich history and links to Ferrari

Now based in Markyate, the business employs more than 20 staff and has expanded from a small car restoration outfit to a powerhouse that now boasts an international clientele.

The business began life as a humble car restoration outfit. (Image: Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car)Its founder Peter Bell was born in 1926 in the small Yorkshire town of Wath upon Dearne, where he grew up before joining the Navy at the back end of the Second World War.

In peacetime he gained a degree in engineering and began his entrepreneurial career, inventing the 'Bell-ready' petrol can and finding success with his first business, Bell Products.

The team work on a range of cars, specialising in Ferrari, (Image: Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car)After selling his business to Alexander Engineering, he was able to indulge in his passion for classic cars, setting up Bell Classics in 1989.

Described by those who knew him as a "softly spoken man with a lifelong love of cars", Peter found a niche in restoring and servicing sports cars.

Peter Bell founded the company in the 1980s. (Image: Bell Sport and Classic) The business took off in Harpenden, going from a small servicing business to one that gained a reputation for helping customers to source classic vehicles, beginning to specialise in pre-owned classic cars, before moving to Markyate in 2017.

The showroom boasts an impressive array of cars (Image: Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car) In 2019, it adopted its current name of Bell Sport and Classics, taking into account its reputation for sports cars, notably Ferrari.

Current business director Matt Wilton leads a team of experts, many of whom have worked for the Italian car giants themselves.

Read More:

• Rose and Crown Pub St Albans receives permission for refurb

• St Albans mum to put on dance night in memory of children

• EV charging zone on Hatfield Road gets the green light

This team includes Attillo Romano, who worked at the Ferrari factory in Italy, boasting intimate knowledge of the brand, as well as Bugatti, Lancia, Maserati, Lotus and Bentley. 

They moved to their current Markyate site in 2017. (Image: Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car) Matt said: "If you were looking for the best childcare for your child or the right kennels for your pet, you would go to the end of the earth to entrust them with the right person. Its no different when it comes to keeping your Ferrari in fine fettle."

Aftersales Manager Tony Vaccaro (Image: Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car) This bold talk has been backed up with awards, as the business was recognised at the Salon Privé Concours award for a restored Ferrari 330 GTC.

A range of events are held on site for car enthusiasts. (Image: Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car) The modern site itself has two impressive showrooms and several restoration workshops.

They boast cars from several decades. (Image: Tony Baker/Classic & Sports Car) In recent times, the shop has begun hosting a range of car-related events, including live screenings of Formula One races.

Live Formula One race screenings now take place at their Markyate site. (Image: Bell Sport and Classic) In 2024, the shop says its mantra is to bring back the "fun" of what it describes as the "associate lifestyle" element of owning a classic supercar, harkening back to the passion for cars of its owner.

Peter Bell passed away in 2019 and was a regular visitor the site of the business he created.