1959 Lister Jaguar Costin
- Engine
- 3.8L inline-six, dry-sump, wide-angle cylinder head, fully synchromesh XK gearbox
Chassis BHL 2-59 is the first Works-built Lister-Jaguar Costin, designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin for the 1959 season. Raced by Ivor Bueb in its debut year — including a likely victory at the Goodwood Sussex Trophy and a classified run at Le Mans — it subsequently competed extensively in California with Dave Ridenour before returning to Britain in 1983. After a period on display in the Rosso Bianco Museum, it has been an active historic competitor at events including the Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Revival, and retains several features unique to the Costin-bodied Listers.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €750,000 – €950,000
- 1959 → 1960Private saleThe Chequered Flagpartial documentation
Renowned London dealership tasked with selling the car after Brian Lister withdrew from racing at the close of the 1959 season.
- 1960 → 1962Private saleDave Ridenourpartial documentation
California-based racer who campaigned the car extensively across SCCA, USAC, and California Sports Car Club events over two seasons.
- 1983 →Acquisition unknownChris Drakepartial documentation
Acquired the car upon its return to the UK in 1983 and entered it in a small number of historic race meetings before selling it on.
- → 2006Private salePeter Kauspartial documentation
German collector who displayed the car in his Rosso Bianco Museum rather than racing it.
- 2006 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Has used the car regularly in historic competition including Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Revival, as well as VSCC and AMOC events, with multiple victories recorded.
Competition
- 1959Sussex Trophy, GoodwoodDriver: Ivor Bueb1st
Debut outing for the car on Easter Monday 1959; result described as a debut victory.
- 1959British Empire Trophy, Oulton ParkDriver: Ivor Bueb5th
Bueb shared fastest lap with Jack Brabham's Cooper Monaco, which finished second overall.
- 1959World Sports Car ChampionshipLe Mans 24 HoursDriver: Ivor BuebDNF — engine failure after 121 laps
Car ran as high as fourth after eight hours before succumbing to engine failure; co-driver was Bruce Halford. Entry documented by surviving Le Mans entry forms.
- 1959British Grand Prix meeting, AintreeDriver: Ivor Bueb6th
Final works appearance for the car before Brian Lister's withdrawal from racing.
- 1959-05-01Crystal Palace raceDriver: Ivor Bueb4th
Finished behind two Coopers driven by Salvadori and Jim Russell and a Lotus driven by Graham Hill.
- 1962-05-01Cotati raceDriver: Dave Ridenour2nd
Last recorded competitive outing for Ridenour with the car.
- —Riverside raceDriver: Dave Ridenour1st
One of several victories recorded by Ridenour during his two-season California campaign with the car.
- —Laguna Seca raceDriver: Dave Ridenour1st
Another outright win recorded during Ridenour's extensive SCCA, USAC, and California Sports Car Club campaigning.
- —Cotati raceDriver: Dave Ridenourpodium
One of multiple podium finishes at Cotati during the 1960–1962 period.
- —Le Mans Classic
Among the historic events attended by the car under the current consignor's ownership after 2006.
- —Goodwood Revival
Competed at the Revival on at least one occasion under current ownership, alongside other historic meetings.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Engine rebuild
A recent rebuild of the engine was carried out; the car had completed only a single outing following this work at the time of cataloguing.
Car described as fully prepared for racing. An inspection report by marque specialist Chris Keith-Lucas confirmed the fitment of a Works-specification 3.8-litre dry-sump engine with wide-angle cylinder head and fully synchromesh XK gearbox.
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