Racer for the road

Lister launches road-legal Knobbly continuation car

THE LISTER KNOBBLY is back again – and this time it’s road-legal. This makes Lister the only manufacturer making original-specification continuation cars that are eligible for IVA type approval and therefore fully legal for registration and road use. Continuation specials built by larger marques are limited to track use only, as they’re unable to qualify for low-volume approval due to the total number of cars they produce.

Ten of these road-legal Listers will be built to original specification, except for those alterations needed for the IVA approval. These include a collapsible steering column, roll-over protection, indicators, number plates, padded dashboard, mirrors, ratchet handbrake, push-button switches and even removal of the windscreen.

Available powertrains include a 3.8-litre drysump Jaguar straight-six with four-speed gearbox, like that fitted to the D-type. The engine is built by Crosthwaite & Gardiner around an original Jaguar block, using remanufactured parts, and produces 330bhp. That’s enough for the 787kg car to hit 60mph from rest in just 4.3 seconds and go on to a top speed of 181mph. A milder 4.2-litre version is also available.

All the cars meet current FIA Appendix K regulations. Production will start in September 2017, with deliveries planned from June 2018. Prices start at £225,000 for the 4.2-litre, rising to £295,000 for the high-performance 3.8.

Lister CEO Lawrence Whittaker says: ‘This is a hugely important step for us. Our new roadlegal Knobbly also paves the way for more future road-going Listers.’

For further information on the Knobbly, visit www.listercars.com.