Lister’s of this period are seemingly going through quite the resurgence and with quite good reason. The XJS is ageing beautifully and projects like the TWR Supercat are showing that the XJS doesn’t always need to look the way it does. The example offered for sale was acquired by its current owner in 2018 and after spending some time in storage, this owner became determined to make this car one of the very best Lister Le Mans in existence and it was decided that the car was to embarked on a comprehensive rejuvenation. Listers, sadly, are notorious for corrosion where the extended bodywork meets the original structure and this car was no exception. Premier Paintwork were commissioned to strip the shell back to bare metal, correct every corrosion issue and refinish the bodywork to an exceptional level and within the car’s history file there is a photo book documenting all of this work. To protect this freshly completed paintwork, the entire car has been PPF’d which anyone who has undertaken this knows this is a significant investment in long-term preservation.

The majority of expenditure, however, was devoted to the mechanical side. The car was entrusted to renowned Jaguar specialist Tom Lenthall, widely considered one of the foremost experts on the Jaguar 5.3l V12 engine. The powertrain was fully rebuilt and modernised with an Emerald standalone ECU at it’s heart, new injectors, coil packs, and HT leads were all fitted, followed by full rolling-road calibration. These upgrades greatly enhance reliability, cooling performance and drivability which addressed many of the weaknesses associated with ageing Jaguar V12s. The underside of the car was also comprehensively restored, with virtually every component renewed or refurbished as needed. Bills from Lenthall amount to approximately £45,000, and the engine has covered only minimal mileage since completion in 2022, remaining effectively in its running-in period.

The distinctive Lister wheels were professionally stripped and refinished by Wheel Unique and even the enamel badges have been restored by Pamela Davis Enamels, ensuring they match the impeccable condition of the bodywork. An upgraded air-conditioning system which is vastly superior to the original has also been installed, adding to the car’s usability and longevity. The result is a car that presents to near-concours standard and would sit proudly at any top tier automotive gathering.

This Lister Le Mans is offered with documentation for the restoration work, original literature and brochures, a valid MoT certificate to June 2026, and current V5. It is ready for its next devoted keeper, with the reassurance that it has been meticulously prepared by some of the most respected specialists in the field.