roymattblack Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 (edited) I have just returned from the Lister factory near Cambridge. I was very kindly invited to go and take as many photo's and measurements of the cars as I wanted for my 1/8 scratch build: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235004523-lister-knobbly-jaguar-18-scratch/ Andrew Whittaker and Mark Hallam (the CEO and MD) were gracious, hospitable and literally gave me a free run of the whole place for almost an hour. I took almost 100 pictures of 7 cars in stages of build from bare chassis to completion. Absolutely stunning to see such hand made stuff. I even got a picture of the original wood buck used in the '50's to hand form the bodywork. As I left, they kindly gave me a gorgeous book of the Lister Jaguars. Awesome morning followed by a great lunch in the 6 Bells pub down the road. Roy Edited September 12, 2016 by roymattblack 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seadog Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Gorgeous cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cameraman Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Bloody stunning. Can't wait to see your work and I wonder if you'll have an opportunity to take the finished work back to the factory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 That's some seriously wonderful work they are doing there! Also very nice that there are still places like this around that will welcome an enthusiast for a visit like this. I hope you will be able to make a return visit with the finished model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roymattblack Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 Well... a return with the finished model. Can't say too much yet but yes, they DEFINITELY want to see the completed model. It really was a great morning and (for a model maker) incredibly informative. Roy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thud4444 Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 That is the complete opposite of every production tour I've ever taken. Those cars are quite lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Wonderful to see craftsmanship is still alive in the UK, especially building one of my all time favourites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miggers Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 I trust that's just the final assembly section of the works then Roy? Did you see the fab.shop or the forming shop where the body work is actually formed and did you see(the really interesting bit for me) the paintshop at all? Are the engines still Jaguar's straight sixes or do they use other manufacturer's straight sixes nowadays? Great photographs of some fabulous cars. Many thanks for giving us a small join of a grand day out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vontrips Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 You lucky chap! Great looking cars there. I have a chunk of the Lister Storm that self destructed at Le Mans years ago (most definately not a great looking car BTW!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Séan Pádraig Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Amazing opportunity for you... I'll bet you were like a kid in a sweet shop on the inside... If the guys at Lister ever take a look at some of your builds they would be as much impressed with your work as you were with theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roymattblack Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 Many thanks all you guys. Yes indeed - a kid in a sweet shop. It was just mind boggling to actually stand among what could only be called engineering 'art'. In answer to a couple of questions - the bodywork is hand made by a guy in Taunton and then assembled later. Paint is also done elsewhere. The engines are still the Jaguar 3.4 straight 6 with triple Dcoe 45's. Apparently the cars are still made to exactly the same spec as in the 50's, and they are currently the only cars in the world to have a complete shell in magnesium alloy as per the originals. Being virtually completely hand built, no two cars are identical. I have 95 pics of the cars and will happily post more 'detail' shots if anyone is interested. Roy. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Séan Pádraig Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 There is big money is these authentic recreations or new old cars... I recall that Jaguar has built some new light weight E-Types to the exact spec of the original and I'm sure I've seen something about AC announcing they are to build a handful of 'new' AC Cobra's even using the original wooden buck. They may not have the history of a genuine 50's/60's original but at a fraction of the cost I'd rather have one over a modern hypercar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselweasel Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Roy Please can we see more, i just love to go round places like this, not many around now. Many thanks again Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
injidup Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 (edited) Automotive art! Thanks very much for sharing, Roy! When I had a Westfield, I visited the factory in the Midlands. Not quite the same as Lister, though! Lotus is on my list when I next visit the UK. Edited September 13, 2016 by injidup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roymattblack Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 (edited) I've added a few more pics. I have dozens more but they are mostly close-ups of the bits of the car to help with building the model. Possibly of little interest to others. It was an amazing visit - one I'll remember for a long time - well - until I go back again... Roy. Edited September 13, 2016 by roymattblack 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham T Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 I am ashamed to admit that I'd never even heard of Lister cars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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