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About Belle Vue Motors
In 1935, Bill Stilwell (Senior) started Belle Vue Motors from a small shop in Southchurch Road, Southend on Sea, selling and repairing Motorcycles and when WW2 finished in 1945, he returned to continue the business from the same showrooms our Honda Motorcycle Dealership operates from today – although it was a bit different then…
In 80 years it has grown from a busy motorcycle dealership selling British built motorcycles, via car franchises with Fiat and Kia, to the Honda Motorcycle Dealership, used car centre and busy car and motorcycle workshop operation it is today.
Under its current ownership and management of Bill Stilwell (Snr’s) grandsons, Bill Stilwell Jnr. and Dan Stilwell, it really has been a family run business.
Bill (Snr’s) son, Tony Stilwell, came into the business in the early 1950s and retired after over 50 years and as Managing Director back in 2005. Bill and Dan both joined the company in the early 1980s, during the growth of the car business. Bill started as a Valetor in the Car Sales Department and Dan as an apprentice mechanic. Having both worked up from the bottom rung in the company, Dan and Bill have over 60 years experience in the business between them.
A welcome return to the motorcycle business in 2002 with Honda was initiated by Tony, Bill and Dan’s passion for bikes and founder Bill Stilwell (Snr) was still around to see the change. Today the company is proud to represent Honda Motorcycles in Essex.
Belle Vue’s passion for all things mechanical runs deeper than the day to day business you see today and the family has always enjoyed participating in various forms of Motorsport.
Founder Bill and son Tony enjoyed a brief spell competing in motorcycle grass track and speedway racing, with Tony going on to race an Austin Healey Sports Car in the early 60s. Bill and Dan added to the family competition history with saloon car racing in the 80s and 90s, adding National and European Championships to the trophy cabinet, with two of the Championships won racing for Honda.
The company still has a great deal to look forward to. The workshop continues to grow, embracing the latest technology with Bosch diagnostics, and the ability to service, MOT and repair all makes of cars and motorcycles.
So we would like to say a big thanks to our customers, staff and suppliers, who have helped make the last 80 years the success its been and with only 20 years till our centenary, watch this space…
Bill & Dan Stilwell
