11 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

I am trying to trace either David Beckett - I should, sadly, add "if he is still with us" - or a member perhaps of his family - or perhaps someone who worked with him concerning his ex-Ray Brightman Costin-bodied Lister.  It was originally a Chevrolet V8-powered car, but David Beckett fitted what proved to be a very good Jaguar XK 6-cylinder unit, and then proceeded to star in all manner of British club races over several hectic years.

 

Thus far through my normal connections - yes, OK, as opposed to my abnormal ones - I have come up against a blank wall.  

 

Could anyone here possibly help, please?

 

DCN

[Doug Nye]

No takers then apart from one who has written to me privately...  I now understand that Mr Beckett passed away in 2019 but am still keen to hear from anyone who knew or recalls him and especially his Lister-Jaguar.  I am told that he worked in Kenya for a while and during that period contested an East African Safari Rally - possibly the 1962 event - and possibly in a Fiat of some description?

 

DCN 

[Belmondo]

Doug, David Beckett did indeed die in 2019. I didn't know him beyond the odd chat in the paddock, but I believe he had a wife and daughter. The Costin Lister I remember him racing was Chevrolet powered and dark green. He raced this from 1988 for a few seasons only. I believe (could be wrong) he brought this car back from South Africa in bits. He also raced a red Nerus Silhouette in historics around the same time. I suspect he also raced a Lister many years earlier but don't know whether this is the same car as the one I remember circa 1988. I probably have photos if that's of any help. Phil

[Rupertlt1]

David Beckett won a Historic Sports Car race at Crystal Palace, 26 May 1969, 10-laps in #201 Lister-Jaguar, Costin bodied RB 25.

Bodiam Hill Climb, 17 Oct 1964: FTD David Beckett, Lister Jaguar, 27.04 sec, Record

Firle Hill Climb, 12 July 1964, M.G. Car Club (S.E.): FTD Beckett, Lister-Jaguar 3.8-litre, 27.89 sec

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 August 2024 - 16:33.

[Doug Nye]

Thanks Phil and Rupert,

 

Interesting that David Beckett raced the car in dark BRG, not the red and black in which I recall it, perhaps in Brightman's ownership.  But I believe that Mr Beckett sold the car and then bought it back some years later to resume racing - two stints in Lister competition, and I thought having replaced the original Chevrolet engine with a Jaguar D-Type-spec XK in-line six...

 

DCN

[Rupertlt1]

Without wishing to muddy the water, a dark-coloured Lister Costin turns up at Firle registered YCD 422.

The Costin-bodied car of Mike Anthony was sold, and the Chevrolet motor ditched?

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 August 2024 - 16:55.

[68targa]

David Beckett  is listed in the programme for the President's Trophy Meeting, Crystal Palace, 3 July 1965 -  #68 Lister-Jaguar (Red/Black)

 

He also had another win at Crystal palace 23 Sept 1972 but this in a Lola  Mk1.

[D-Type]

In Kenya he raced a Triumph TR3 in the late fifties and early sixties.  He even entered it in the 1960 Safari when they had a class for GT cars.  The suspension succumbed to the rough roads.

In 1961 he did better co-driving a Mercedes 220Se with Kenya champion John Manussis and Bill Coleridge.  The trio finished first narrowly beating 1959 and 1960 winner Bill Fritschy who was also in a 220SE.  I don't recall him entering the Safari again.

[Belmondo]

1988:

 

[Dutchy]

I remember David Beckett winning the John Holland Trophy for Griffiths Formula cars at the AMOC St John Horsfall meeting twice in his red Costin Lister Jaguar 'RB 25' - if memory serves me correctly it would have been 1969 and 1970. The Trophy was put up by my father in memory of his brother who was killed in his Victor II at a Ministry air display.
He also raced bikes and I recall him at Snetterton and Brands Hatch riding a very neat Triton in the early 1980s.
Years later I met David Beckett at an auction at Brooklands. He was assisting a friend who was selling an Ariel Red Hunter and he bought a Triumph GT6 for himself.

[Gregor Marshall]

Without wishing to muddy the water, a dark-coloured Lister Costin turns up at Firle registered YCD 422.

The Costin-bodied car of Mike Anthony was sold, and the Chevrolet motor ditched?

RGDS RLT 

 

That's the ex Dick Tindall car that my late father bought, raced, sold to Geoffrey Marsh and then raced again. From memory it went to David Shead, Alan Minshaw and last I knew Chris Milner, but has been for sale recently.
My late Dad upset my late Mum by keepiing it at our home garage, that he had double-glazed and centrally heated - the house we lived in had neither at the time!!
Dad always said it was the only Costin Lister that raced in period with a Chevrolet V8 and Jaguar 6.

[Rupertlt1]

16 Oct 1965, Bodiam Hill Climb: David Beckett, 1959 Lister Jaguar, class winner

21 Oct 1967, Bodiam Hill Climb: David Beckett, Class 7, Lister Jaguar, 29.83 sec, class winner

6 Sept 1980, Bodiam Hill Climb: Class 13 David Beckett, Costin-Nathan 1,594 c.c., Historic Sportscar Club

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, Today, 08:42.