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1961 Lister Knobbly news, pictures, and information | ||
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By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2008
The Geo Lister Company was formed by George Lister in the late 1890s. Geo Lister formed a partnership with Charles Flatters and Harry Branch, creating a general engineering, blacksmith and wrought ironwork shop. When the partners retired and his sons Alfred and Horace joined the business, the company's name was changed to 'Geo. Lister & Sons' in 1919. In 1930, Horace became sole proprietor after the untimely death of his brother Alfred, and then their father.
Horace's sons Raymond and Brian later became directors in the company, ascending to joint Managing Directorship in 1954. Brian had an interest in racing and one of his first races was in a Morgan 4/4 sports. Later, he built a Cooper-MG sports car with help from Lister apprentice Edwin 'Dick' Barton. This was followed by the Tojeiro-JAP named the Asteroid.
Brian Lister met a one-handed individual named Archie Scott Brown who would later prove his abilities as a world-class racing driver. When the duo met Don Moore, a local motor engineer, the ingredients were formed for what would become a successful series of Lister sports-racing cars. During the 1950s , their cars would be a dominant force in the 'free-Formula' British sports car category and in Sports Car Club of America national Championship competition. The legendary 'Knobbly' Lister-Jaguars and Lister-Chevrolets are a few of the memorable names that raced during the 1958 and 1959 SCCA series.
A new company was formed by Brian Lister, dubbed 'Brian Lister (Light Engineering) Ltd' with the purpose of building racing cars. They utilized engines and various components from MG, Bristol, Chevrolet, Jaguar and Maserati vehicles during the 1950s. The most famous of their creations was the Knobbly. In total, there were no more than 17 original cars constructed in 1958. Following Scott Brown's fatal accident at Spa, Belgium, in May of 1958, Brian Lister closed his car manufacturing business.
In 1990, four special 'Centenary Edition' Lister-Jaguar 'Knobbly' cars were created to honor the centenary year of Geo. Lister & Sons Ltd. They were made to the same standard as the original. The final products were marketed by Lawrence Pearce in England.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
Horace's sons Raymond and Brian later became directors in the company, ascending to joint Managing Directorship in 1954. Brian had an interest in racing and one of his first races was in a Morgan 4/4 sports. Later, he built a Cooper-MG sports car with help from Lister apprentice Edwin 'Dick' Barton. This was followed by the Tojeiro-JAP named the Asteroid.
Brian Lister met a one-handed individual named Archie Scott Brown who would later prove his abilities as a world-class racing driver. When the duo met Don Moore, a local motor engineer, the ingredients were formed for what would become a successful series of Lister sports-racing cars. During the 1950s , their cars would be a dominant force in the 'free-Formula' British sports car category and in Sports Car Club of America national Championship competition. The legendary 'Knobbly' Lister-Jaguars and Lister-Chevrolets are a few of the memorable names that raced during the 1958 and 1959 SCCA series.
A new company was formed by Brian Lister, dubbed 'Brian Lister (Light Engineering) Ltd' with the purpose of building racing cars. They utilized engines and various components from MG, Bristol, Chevrolet, Jaguar and Maserati vehicles during the 1950s. The most famous of their creations was the Knobbly. In total, there were no more than 17 original cars constructed in 1958. Following Scott Brown's fatal accident at Spa, Belgium, in May of 1958, Brian Lister closed his car manufacturing business.
In 1990, four special 'Centenary Edition' Lister-Jaguar 'Knobbly' cars were created to honor the centenary year of Geo. Lister & Sons Ltd. They were made to the same standard as the original. The final products were marketed by Lawrence Pearce in England.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
The Jaguar D-Type sports racer was a very dominate machine due to its excellent performance and handling characteristics. As such, there was a strong demand from Jaguar to continue to produce sports cars. In 1957 a fire at a factory and Jaguar's withdrawal from racing saw the production of the D-Type come to a close. As a result others stepped in to produce racers based on Jaguar components. One of the more successful of these creations was designed and built by Brian Lister. His first racers came on the scene in 1954 and often competed against stiff competition such as the Aston Martins and Jaguar D-Tpes. Archie Scott-Brown was one of the more memorable drivers who piloted the Lister built machines to many podium finishes and dominated the British racing car scene in 1957, winning 11 out of the 14 races. The 1957 Lister / Jaguar machine was constructed of a light-weight steel space frame chassis and bodied in an aluminum body. Its body was lump and thus it was given the nickname 'Knobbly'. Development continued throughout the years with a total of seventeen examples being created with most going to the United States. The first two examples were built for the legendary American sportsman, Briggs Cunningham. Seven examples were delivered to Jim Hall and Carrol Shelby who outfitted them with Chevrolet power-plants.
In 1959 the aerodynamics were changed and fitted with modified bodies designed by Frank Costin, an aeronautical engineer. The lines were smoothed out considerably, but the changes increased the frontal area and had an detrimental affect on the vehicles aerodynamics. As a result it had a lower top speed. In total, eleven examples were built with two being powered by Jaguar engines.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007
In 1959 the aerodynamics were changed and fitted with modified bodies designed by Frank Costin, an aeronautical engineer. The lines were smoothed out considerably, but the changes increased the frontal area and had an detrimental affect on the vehicles aerodynamics. As a result it had a lower top speed. In total, eleven examples were built with two being powered by Jaguar engines.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2007
| GLOBAL RALLYCROSS ANNOUNCES GRC LITES INAUGURAL 2013 SCHEDULE | |
 | Los Angeles, Calif. (June 14, 2013) – Global Rallycross is pleased to announce the inaugural season of GRC Lites, with a six race schedule that will see the new series visit some of the greatest race tracks in America. GRC Lites, the companion series to Global Rallycross's Supercar class, has been designed to be the ideal class for drivers to gain rallycross experience. The inaugural season of GRC Lites schedule will take place from July through November. The six race dates are as foll...[Read more...] |
| CHRYSLER GROUP'S SRT BRAND BUILDS AWARENESS THROUGH RACING AT LE MANS | |
 | June 17, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - With its heritage deeply rooted into the fabric of domestic and international road racing's rich history, the highly anticipated return of Viper to the 24 Hours of Le Mans stirs the souls of those who have shared in its recent rebirth and return to the ultimate test in sports car competition. From concept to completion, the impact of racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the shared passion for the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand, its perfo...[Read more...] |
| SKEER LOOKING TO FORGE HIS OWN PATH TO SUCCESS IN MAZDA MX-5 CUP | |
 | Elliott Skeer is looking to put his own stamp on the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship in 2013. The Vista, Calif. driver is hoping his sophomore season will mirror the success of his former C.J. Wilson Racing, Mazda MX-5 Cup teammate, Stevan McAleer, from last year. McAleer, of Scotland, took home the series championship in 2012, scoring eight podiums, including three wins. Using the finishing positions of the Scot as a measuring stick, Skeer is off to a better start in 2013. Skeer dr...[Read more...] |
| And Then There Were Three - Meet the Playboy MX-5 Cup Title Contenders | |
 | With the final two races of the season this week at Road Atlanta, the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup championship has come down to three drivers, with a fourth still mathematically in contention. The man in the driver's seat for the Mazda-funded ride higher up the development ladder next season is Stevan McAleer, who began his rookie season wondering if he had the resources for a full season in the No. 28 Blue Mercury Capital/Numerix MX-5. Two wins and seven podium finishes has kept ...[Read more...] |
| Road America Announces 2013 Season Schedule | |
 | Road America President and General Manager, George Bruggenthies, announced Road America's 2013 season schedule today. 'Road America has the most active and diverse schedule of any road race circuit in the U.S. and we look forward to hosting the AMA, NASCAR Nationwide Series, SCCA and three separate vintage events again in 2013,' said Bruggenthies. 'We also look forward to being the first circuit to have the opportunity to show the world what the new race format of the recently announced GRAN...[Read more...] |
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