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1964 Zeta "Runabout" by Lightburn

Australia is a land of huge open spaces, and Australians tended to look towards America for their automotive needs.
Nevertheless, Lightburn and Co. of Camden near Adelaide , makers of tools, cement mixers, washing machines and fiberglass boats, perceived a need for a minicar.

The rights to the British Anzani- built Astra car were obtained, but a new fiberglas station wagon body was designed and built for it.
Called the ZETA, the car was a hideous assemblage of jutting, ill-conceived shapes and angles, with tailfins on the roof.
There was no tailgate.
The familiar Villiers 324cc twin powered the front wheels.

Advertising compared the Zeta to the Corvette (fiberglas body on steel frame) although the similarity ended there.

The bulk of the advertising boasted of its flexible interior space that could carry all your tools or sleep 2 adults comfortably (with all the seats removed…)

Despite participation in the 1964 Ampol 7000-mile cross-country trial, the car remained a curiosity only.

Manufacturer: Lightburn & Co. Ltd., Camden Australia

Model: Zeta Motor: Villiers., 2-stroke Body : Fiberglass
Years Built: 1964-? No. Cylinders: 2 Chassis: Steel tube
No. Produced: n/a Displacement: 324 cc Suspension Front: Strut
No. Surviving: n/a Horsepower: 16.5 Suspension Rear: Coil
Length: 121" Gearbox: 4 + electric rev Steering: Worm & Peg
Width: 54" Starter: Dynastart Brakes: Hydraulic
Weight: 960 lbs Electrics: 12 v 4 Wheels: 125x 12"
Interior: 2 + Bench Ignition: 2 x Coil Top Speed: 50 mph

© 2005