Personal Profile - Philip & Judy Bell

On a hot summer's day in 1970 in Melbourne, Australia, Philip and Judy were looking out of the window of their home and saw a magnificent British Sports Car drive past - a Morgan Plus Eight. Tantalisingly, this car drove by several times during the next few months and Philip and Judy became determined that when they returned to the UK they would get a Morgan.

Happily in September 1972, very soon after their return to England, they were able to purchase their first Morgan - a brand new Morgan 4/4. In those days there wasn't a huge waiting list and after only three months took delivery and paying £25 extra to have wire wheels in addition to the cost of £1,700 for the car. This was the first car they purchased from Allon White and Son and the beginning of a very happy association with Eric and Debbie White. The car was a superb machine in British Racing Green with black leather upholstery. The Bells, including 3 year old Courtney and 1 year old Victoria thoroughly enjoyed this car. Little did they know that on the purchase of their very first Morgan they were embarking on a whole new way of life and circle of very good friends.

The time came, however, when Judy insisted they should really buy a house ! Unfortunately, the new Morgan had to go to provide the deposit for the property. As a matter of interest, the Morgan was sold, unseen, to a gentleman from the Isle of Man where it still resides.

It wasn't long before Philip felt he really must have a Morgan again, so in the next few years a number of second hand Morgan 4/4 and Plus 4 models were purchased, each one a little better than the last. At this time Philip joined the General Insurance Agency and set up the very first Morgan Insurance Scheme. Of course, he persuaded his partners that it was absolutely essential to have a Morgan as an office car and so in 1979 a brand new Morgan 4/4 four seater was purchased, painted in the striking colours of yellow and black with yellow wire wheels. This was a fantastic car and served as every day transport for over ten years.

In 1972 Philip attended the very first informal CranMog meeting, Judy was told it wasn't for "girls". Quite coincidentally, Cecile Povey was told exactly the same thing by Laurie. This meeting was held at Ian Galloway's house where it was agreed to form CranMog. This was the first and last time ladies did not attend a CranMog meeting.

The next meeting was a the Swan Revived at Newport Pagnell where Judy and Philip met John Crummie and Laurie and Cecile for the first time and have remained firm friends ever since and have all been active members of the club throughout the years. Indeed, it was their cars together with a few other close friends' cars that formed the "guard of honour" at their daughter Victoria's wedding last year.

Philip took over the onerous responsibility of Chairman of CranMog in 1979 and has remained in that position having only one year off in 27 years, until standing down in 2007. Philip has of course now been appointed President of the CranMog centre, taking over from John Donovan who has retired from that post. Judy played her part in the early years of helping to run CranMog, arranging various social events and indeed was the regalia officer for eight years.

During the early years of CranMog it was considered a good meeting with eight members and perhaps two Morgans attending a meeting. However CranMog has grown and gone from strength to strength. The centre has assisted with MSCC events and indeed organised MOG 79 at Knebworth House and MOG 85 at The Haycock at Wansford. Now there are never less than forty members at any meeting and in the summer anything up to 30 Morgans can be seen in the car park at the monthly meeting which is currently held at The Jolly Coopers at Wardhedges near Flitton.

In 1988 when their children were more or less grown up Philip and Judy decided they wanted more power and so purchased a Morgan Plus Eight, a beautiful black car with black upholstery. The Bells ran both the Morgans for several years, however the time came with the advancing years when Philip needed a more comfortable ear so sold the 4/4 and purchased a Jaguar.

The Morgan Plus Eight has done sterling service having been on several overseas CranMog trips and over the years has acquired black wheels and black bumpers. More recently, this car is undergone a "rebuild" and conversion to 4 seats by Allon Whites.

Philip and Judy have very much enjoyed their involvement with Morgan Sports Cars which is a wonderful way of making new friends.

Philip & Judy Bell

As of November 2006, Philip has retired from work all together and he and Judy spend their time taking various holidays around the world and being grandparents, now that can take a lifetime on its own. At the 2007 AGM, Philip retired as CranMog Chairman and was nominated Centre President, so no more "Come on chaps, take this seriously" at the OMs. He is now enjoying the slower pace of life with just an occasional "Premier Centre", but when driving the Plus 8 of course its still "Foot on the Boards".

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