Years before the British AC Ace was brought to America (eventually turned into the today’s Cobra), a Lister-Jaguar reigned supreme in the world of outright motorcar racing.

In June of 1954, a Lister Bristol won its class in the supporting race to the British Grand Prix ahead of the works Jaguars and Aston Martins. A further 13 victories were recorded that year. Jaguar's Le Mans successes fuelled a demand for fast sports racing cars based on Jaguar components. This demand grew after the disastrous factory fire of 1957 and the fact that Jaguar withdrew from racing and ceased development of the D-Type. One of the most successful Jaguar-based designs came from Lister's.

In 1957 Lister built a lightweight steel space frame clothed in an aluminum body of a somewhat lumpy appearance, giving rise to its nickname of the "Knobbly Lister". A total of seventeen of these extremely potent and very successful cars were built, most of which have survived and today are highly desirable. Scott-Brown went on to dominate the British sports-racing car season in 1957, winning 11 out of 14 races in total and the prestigious British Empire Trophy Race, aboard a Lister Jaguar. Just to underline its place in the history books, Archie's Lister Jaguar also notched up many lap records on his successful rampage.

As a result of this success Brian Lister attracted customer orders for an improved 1958 version of the car, which conformed to international regulations. This car was to be known as the 'Knobbly' Lister Jaguar. More success followed with Stirling Moss winning the support race for the British Grand Prix and Lister Chevrolets dominating the American sportscar scene. This year also marked the debut of Lister Jaguar at Le Mans, where two cars competed in the French classic and one placed 15th.

Lister Jaguar returned to Le Mans a year later, again with a two car squad. Glory was not to come their way, however, as both cars retired with engine problems. The lead car showed that the British racing combination had unfinished business at Le Mans, however, as it was running in fourth place at the time of its retirement.

For 1959 the body was revised to improve aerodynamics with a smooth clean shape. The new body was designed by Frank Costin with a total of eleven being built. However, only two of these were powered by Jaguar, making the Costin Lister Jaguar one of the rarest of the Jaguar racing specials of the period.

From 1959 until the early 1980's, Lister Cars retired from competitive racing. However, the name was revived following the involvement of engineer Laurence Pearce and a new car was designed to take part in a series of races for Jaguar sports cars known as the Lister Challenge. During this decade Laurence, in association with Brian Lister, was responsible for the rebirth of the company as a producer of performance road cars. This then led to the design in 1991 of an all-new supercar, as opposed to the Jaguar conversions that had previously been produced under the Lister name, the Storm.

In the 1990’s the Lister Corvette was reincarnated by the legendary Chuck Beck. His idea was to take the concept of British MotorCar design, a lightweight extremely sturdy structural chassis, updated light alloy suspension and American brute horsepower together to create the most powerful, best handling classic/racing car available.

Precise Lister Replicas are now manufactured in the State of Georgia, United States of America, by Avanti Motorcars. Avanti produces unique, handcrafted automobiles of the finest quality and authenticity. Created for the most discerning client, and providing them the utmost expressions of their individuality, these classics utilize tig welded tube chassis and hand laid fiberglass body panels with each unit prepared by skilled craftsmen.

Avanti has a network of qualified dealers throughout the US capable of up fitting the cars with any engine-transmission desirable. MuscleMotorSports is a leading distributor of Listers for the Eastern United States.

300 HP mild street to 800 HP full race versions are available from Muscle as well as various brake and shock options. For more info contact a representative at MuscleMotorSports of NC.

Email musclemotor@mindspring.com or call toll free 1-877-6MUSCLE

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