1985/88 LISTER JAGUAR 7.0-LITRE LE MANS MKIII COUPÉ - BONHAMS

COMING TO AUCTION

From: www.classicchatter.co.uk

HE GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED SALE

Collector's Motor Cars and Automobilia 

24 Jun 2016, starting at 11:00 BST

Chichester, Goodwood

1985/88 LISTER JAGUAR 7.0-LITRE LE MANS MKIII COUPÉ

Registration no. LYS 73R 

Chassis no. SAJJNAEW3BC119369 

Engine no. LP037/70L

Following six years of development, the Lister Le Mans burst onto the supercar scene in 1989. Named in honour of Jaguar's successes at La Sarthe in the 1980s, the Le Mans featured a 7.0-litre version of Jaguar's V12 engine, comprehensively re-worked to cope with its now 500-or-so horsepower maximum output. A similar torque figure ensured stupendous acceleration in any gear. Needless to say, the suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres were up-rated to cope, while a purposeful-looking body kit ensured that the car remained stable at its 200mph maximum speed. The price? A cool £160,000.

Based on a 1985 XJ-S, this rare Lister supercar was delivered new to first owner Laurence Ronson on 26th June 1988. The car was originally finished in Wallis Blue with blue-piped Saville Grey interior, and carried the registration 'MIA 339'. We are advised that this car is one of approximately two dozen Le Mans models produced with the full body kit, which in this one's case also includes the rare modified bonnet air intakes. Shortly after completion, 'MIA 338' featured in 'Autocar & Motor' magazine (February 1989 edition, copy on file) appearing on the front cover and in an article within entitled 'XJ Excess'. 'A&M' achieved a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds, declaring: 'no Ferrari owner will ever know what it is like to have so much power'. Since this test the car has had a further considerable power increase courtesy of twin superchargers, a conversion only carried out on the 7.0-litre engine (see below). We are advised that it is one of only three built to this ultimate specification

Two original Lister service books record servicing carried out and the upgrades installed, all works being undertaken by the manufacturers, WP Automotive. Upgrades include the 7.0-litre engine; Le Mans wheels; Le Mans rear wing; Le Mans rear suspension; Le Mans exhaust; '200mph' speedometer; twin superchargers; heavy duty Getrag six-speed gearbox; 1991 dashboard, instruments and steering column; colour change to black; and an interior re-trim in Magnolia/Burgundy leather. In total, some £250,000 has been spent. 

Following five years of work, the Lister's restoration was completed in 2006 by the current vendor, the refurbishment including a repaint in the black livery chosen by one of the previous owners. All paperwork - invoices, MoTs, etc - is contained in two large lever-arch binders documenting the car's history in full. It should be noted that although the current odometer reading is 12,500, the actual distance covered from new is a little over 26,000 miles. The difference being due to the fitment of the 200 mph speedometer during the final upgrade.

MoT'd to March 2017 (no advisories), 'LYS 73R' represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a powerful car possessing an exceptional specification, as well as a direct link with one of the greatest of all Jaguar exponents, Brian Lister. The car will be driven to the sale.

   

www.bonhams.com