Lister Storm 7.0 V12
The Lister Storm, produced from 1993 to 1994, was one of the most extreme and rarest British supercars of the 1990s. Created by Laurence Pearce, who had acquired the Lister name and rights, the Storm aimed to create the fastest road car in the world using a massively enlarged version of the Jaguar V12 engine.
The Storm's engine was based on the Jaguar 5.3-litre V12, bored and stroked to 7.0 litres by engine specialist TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing). With Zytek electronic fuel injection and extensive internal modifications, the engine produced 546 bhp and 651 Nm of torque — staggering figures for a naturally aspirated engine in the early 1990s. The engine drove the rear wheels through a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox.
The body was a striking carbon-fibre and Kevlar composite design, featuring a long bonnet, a dramatically low roofline, and wide haunches that accommodated massive rear tyres. The interior was trimmed in leather and offered reasonable comfort for a car of such extreme performance. At 1,390 kg, the Storm was relatively light for a car of its size and power, though considerably heavier than contemporary pure racing cars.
Lister claimed a top speed of 208 mph, which would have made the Storm one of the fastest road cars in the world at its launch — competing with the McLaren F1 and the Jaguar XJ220 for the production car speed record. The 0-60 mph sprint was claimed at 4.1 seconds, placing it firmly in supercar territory.
However, the Storm's road car programme was plagued by development challenges and financial difficulties. Only four road-going Storms were completed, making it one of the rarest British supercars ever produced. The Storm was more successful in its racing guise, competing in the FIA GT Championship and British GT Championship throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The racing Storm, designated the Storm GT, used an even more powerful version of the 7.0-litre V12 and achieved notable results including class wins and podium finishes. The racing programme continued long after road car production had ceased, keeping the Lister name alive in motorsport.
The four road-going Lister Storms are among the rarest and most extreme British supercars in existence. Their combination of extraordinary performance, dramatic styling, and minuscule production numbers ensures they are highly prized by collectors of rare British automotive exotica.
With only 4 road cars built, the Storm is an extremely rare collector's item. Authentication is critical — verify chassis provenance through historical records. The enlarged Jaguar V12 engine is powerful but complex, requiring specialist knowledge to maintain. Racing Storms are more numerous but have different specifications. Composite bodywork may have been repaired — inspect carefully. Parts availability is extremely limited and bespoke. Any purchase should be treated as a significant collector acquisition requiring thorough due diligence.
Only 4 road cars completed. Engine: Jaguar V12 enlarged to 7.0L by TWR. Carbon-fibre and Kevlar body. Racing version (Storm GT) competed in FIA GT and British GT Championships through late 1990s and 2000s. Built at Leatherhead, Surrey. Laurence Pearce acquired Lister name.