First Lister up for sale

An important piece of British Motorsport history is up for sale - the first car to carry a 'BHL' chassis number after its creator, Brian Horace Lister. H&H Classics is handling the sale and will display the car at The London Classic Car Show at London Excel from 8th to 11th January.

Why is it so significant?

The 1951 Tojeiro JAP, chassis number BHL 1, helped launch not only the career of Lister as a builder of racing cars but also the racing career of Archie Scott Brown. It was the second car built by Lister, using a chassis designed by John Tojeiro and JAP V-twin engine; the Lister was described as fast but temperamental, earning the nickname 'The Asteroid' from its creator.

Brian Lister used the car in sprints and hillclimbs before turning to racer and engine tuner Don Moore to refine his creation. Lister decided that he wasn't cut out to be a racing driver and allowed Archie Scott Brown to take over behind the wheel. Scott Brown was a talented and fearless driver who would frequently lap all the other cars in the 750-1,100cc racing class. From the summer of 1953 The Asteroid passed to one of Lister's friends while Lister, Moore and Scott Brown went on to build and race cars under the Lister name, including the Lister Jaguars for which the firm is possibly best known.

What happened to this car?

BHL 1 passed through several owners before ending up in a barn, minus most of its minimal bodywork, where it was discovered by its present owner in 2009. The car was restored with the correct type of 1.1-litre V-twin engine and Jowett gearbox. Since the restoration the Tojeiro JAP has been used in competitions, taking a class win at the Bo'ness Hillclimb in 2012 and another class win at Shelsley Walsh in 2014; it is also registered for road use.

H&H Classics is offering the car for sale by private treaty.