Top of the Lister
H&H, Epsom, UK 6 June
ONCE IN A WHILE, a car crops up at auction which just looks as though it’s going to be ‘right’ – and that seems to be the case with this subtle, thoughtfully developed and sensibly upgraded Jaguar Mk1, which has been dubbed a ‘Brian Lister Tribute’ by the vendor, despite not having any particular Lister connections.
Regardless of that, it has clearly been set up for fast road driving and has all the appearances of a car that begs to cover long distances at brisk speeds. Shamelessly non-original, it features a 3.8 litre D-type engine that previously belonged to the celebrated Jaguar racer and dealer, John Coombs, who kept it as a spare for his Ecurie Belge car.
Fitted with triple sidedraught Weber carburettors, the dry-sump engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox with overdrive, which sends the power to a wider-track Mk2 back axle running a limited-slip diff and providing the rear discs that the standard Mk1 lacked.
The front brakes have been upgraded, too, as has the suspension (better springs and Koni shock absorbers all round), with the finishing touch coming from a set of butch-looking Halibrand centre-lock wheels.
Although the boot holds an aluminium fuel cell and the oil tank, carrying capacity is barely diminished. The understated theme continues with the interior, which features the original red leather upholstery and a ‘de rigueur’ wooden-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel.
The only consent to exterior flashiness – if it can be called that – is the yellow-and-green ‘Lister’ border to the radiator grille, which provides a gentle lift to the low-key Mist Grey paintwork. There’s an original and appropriate Coventry regstration number, too.
H&H specialist John Markey, who consigned the car from the BRDC member who instigated the ‘Lister Tribute’ conversion, believes it puts out around 300 horsepower and ‘goes like hell’.
‘But the best thing about it is that it’s extremely torquey and tractable. You can drive it quickly, or as slowly as you like, and it won’t complain. I’ve only covered a few miles in it, but it’s one of those cars that you get into and just want to keep on going.’
An estimated £65,000-75,000 should buy it. handh.co.uk