75 replies to this topic

[austmcreg]

Just seeing this thread for the first time, noted some posts earlier regarding Lightburn Zeta sales brochures. In a previous life as a motoring book dealer I sold many thousands of Australian vehicle brochures, amongst them at least a hundred or so new, unused standard Lightburn Zeta items, from memory about 8 pages. Rare, they were not, at least in the 1990s. I obtained a stack of them from an old Adelaide garage that was being closed (cannot remember the details now), and several other dealers also had lots of them.

 

The brochures were a consistent good seller at $10 each for a few years, mainly for novelty value. There will be plenty of Australian brochure collections that have a copy.

 

Rob Saward

 

[kaydee]

I don't think that it's been mentioned before but the Lightburn Zeta was also available as a ute. - i.e. Utility or Pick-up configuration.
I believe less than a half a dozen of these were built.
This is perhaps the only survivor...?

[Lee Nicolle]

I don't think that it's been mentioned before but the Lightburn Zeta was also available as a ute. - i.e. Utility or Pick-up configuration.
I believe less than a half a dozen of these were built.
This is perhaps the only survivor...?

It looks like that the back of the 'wagon' was sawed off and a flat piece was 'glassed into behind the front seat. The advantages of a fibreglass body.
I saw a pic of a Chev Corvette ute on the net somewhere. Similar scenario!

[bradbury west]

I am not familiar with the details of the Lightburn chassis architecture relative to the original Frisky design, , but for those for whom the Frisky holds a fascination I attach a cutaway of the Frisky. Copyright unknown, the drawing appeared in C&SC a while back.
http://postimg.cc/image/laymhsdjh/][/url]
Roger Lund

click image for larger version

Edited by bradbury west, 14 October 2013 - 21:45.

[arttidesco]

It looks like that the back of the 'wagon' was sawed off and a flat piece was 'glassed into behind the front seat. The advantages of a fibreglass body.
I saw a pic of a Chev Corvette ute on the net somewhere. Similar scenario!

 

Maybe this one ? I gather there were 8 proper factory Zeta Ute's but looks like at least one might have been converted to a Ute after leaving the factory.

[Lee Nicolle]

Maybe this one ? I gather there were 8 proper factory Zeta Ute's but looks like at least one might have been converted to a Ute after leaving the factory.

That makes two! The one I saw was a mid 70s Vette.
No Zeta had an opening tailgate. The 'wagon' was a one piece body with 2 doors at the front.
I have never seen a factory ute but I feel sure they were the same. The body is a fair bit of the structural strength and putting in extra holes weakens it a lot.
I suspect the convertible would have been VERY flexible.
Though they were a lemon of the first degree. What were they thinking!!
Lightburn washing machines and concrete mixers were however quite good for their day. And there seems to be still quite a few concrete mixers around. though they were made until probably the 90s.

[Ray Bell]

Their twin tub washers were great for getting clothes clean...

 

Unlike Hoover and many others, they didn't have a spinning agitator in them, but used a paddle that hung down from the top. It was easy on the clothes and very positive in action, and it didn't need sealing.

 

But when the rubber splash guard around the top of the fibreglass tub perished it took a fair bit of race tape to keep the water out of the electrics. Oh, yeah, the better models were the later ones with a separate motor for the spinner, the friction drive of the early ones was a pain at times. And they were noted for being the only twin tub in which you could spin dry a double bedspread.

[275 GTB-4]

AFAIR they were very tough on clothes....the Navy bought a bunch of them in the 60s and the sailors uniforms suffered....

 

http://museumvictori...luxe-circa-1955

[wagons46]

One could not be blamed for thinking that this is where the Porta-Potty people got their ideas from.

[Zetasports1046]

Hi I am Tom I have a Zeta Sports number 1046

here is some info on the Zeta Sports I have gathered, I believe there was two prototypes the car that Robin Heath sold Sn 1001 a roadster with the buffalo painted on the front

 and a coupe sn 1002

See the Lightburn factory notes that Robin Heath Photographed in Adelaide

IMG_3717 (2) by z50jam, on Flickr

Here is some pics of Sn 1002 the Coupe

_1358745538_resized_zeta_sport by z50jam, on Flickr

BW13_r284_01 by z50jam, on Flickr

 

There was a Zeta sports used out on the salt during the Bluebird runs, I Believe it was Sn 1023 as there is reference to it in the factory notes, the same car was used in some promo pics too.

IMG_3752 by z50jam, on Flickr

IMG_3720 (2) by z50jam, on Flickr

IMG_3722 (2) by z50jam, on Flickr

IMG_3745 by z50jam, on Flickr

std_1964_Zeta_Sports by z50jam, on Flickr

[Pullman99]

Hi Tom

 

Thanks so much for posting those pics.   I am the originator of this thread which was prompted by Robin Heath leaving  a comment about the Zeta on The Bluebird Project Forum.   I was interested to know more about the Lightburn Zeta's involvement with Bluebird CN7 at lake Eyre in 1963 and 1964.   I understand that four were loaned to the project at that time and there is the occasional glimpse of one in the films produced on the record, mainly "Project Bluebird" (Dunlop) and "How Long a Mile?" (Donald Campbell himself.    I did know that a Zeta Sports was likely to have been part of the company's promotional involvement but the press pic that you have reproduced is the first time that I have seen this.

 

I understand that the National Motor Museum, where Bluebird CN7 is on display, is arranging to send the car to Australia to mark the 50th anniversary of its record next year.

 

Welcome to the Forum, by the way!

[Lee Nicolle]

I don't know if it is an illusion but the pic of the dark colored hardtop it appears to have the right rear wheel off the ground. And the single wiper I suggest would be useless. The orange wreck does have provision for 2 wipers.
699 quid for a 'Sports Car'. That was actually quite a lot of money in 63. For what was a dreadfull car.How much was a new Mini? A new EH Holden 179 manual Special was about 1200 quid in 64

[GMACKIE]

I don't know if it is an illusion but the pic of the dark colored hardtop it appears to have the right rear wheel off the ground.

Maybe it was windy day.

 

There is a chock at the front wheel, and no hubcap on the right rear......a flat tyre perhaps?

[Zetasports1046]

Hi Tom

 

Thanks so much for posting those pics.   I am the originator of this thread which was prompted by Robin Heath leaving  a comment about the Zeta on The Bluebird Project Forum.   I was interested to know more about the Lightburn Zeta's involvement with Bluebird CN7 at lake Eyre in 1963 and 1964.   I understand that four were loaned to the project at that time and there is the occasional glimpse of one in the films produced on the record, mainly "Project Bluebird" (Dunlop) and "How Long a Mile?" (Donald Campbell himself.    I did know that a Zeta Sports was likely to have been part of the company's promotional involvement but the press pic that you have reproduced is the first time that I have seen this.

 

I understand that the National Motor Museum, where Bluebird CN7 is on display, is arranging to send the car to Australia to mark the 50th anniversary of its record next year.

 

Welcome to the Forum, by the way!

All Good Thanks, Robin said his zeta sports was the one used at Lake Ayre I dont believe that, and from the pics there was at least two a station sedan and a sports? although one pic has been doctored and air brushed colourised as was the way in the day (including my baby pics) .. who knows? those two pics could be from different years? sorry for the poor quality that is a pic of my computer screen of a pic taken by others and it shows but better than none.

[Zetasports1046]

I don't know if it is an illusion but the pic of the dark colored hardtop it appears to have the right rear wheel off the ground. And the single wiper I suggest would be useless. The orange wreck does have provision for 2 wipers.
699 quid for a 'Sports Car'. That was actually quite a lot of money in 63. For what was a dreadfull car.How much was a new Mini? A new EH Holden 179 manual Special was about 1200 quid in 64

They are rear engined so a little heavy at the back? These pics were taken maybe 40+ years apart the car rego is different and that can happen easily in Australia, but i think they are of the same car and good spot on the second wiper hinge post probably used the crossover bar with a single motor like the Goggo.

Just why anybody would have bought one of these over a mini alludes me unless they were 17 with the OK from the Bank of Dad. I guess thats why the sold so well NOT.

But like everything makes them more interesting to own today. 

[Ray Bell]

A new Morris 850 was £789, absolute base model...

 

Morris Mini Deluxe started at £833, which is surprising really. VWs were probably in the £920 to £950 range. Hmmm... maybe the painted bumper model was less.

[Zetasports1046]

Maybe it was windy day.

 

There is a chock at the front wheel, and no hubcap on the right rear......a flat tyre perhaps?  

 

 

 years later still no rhr hubcap...

[wagons46]

.699 quid for a 'Sports Car'. That was actually quite a lot of money in 63. For what was a dreadfull car.How much was a new Mini? A new EH Holden 179 manual Special was about 1200 quid in 64

I bought a 59, (4 year old) MGA1500 from Ron Phillips Sports Car World for £595 in 1963. Did I make a mistake? Should I ave saved up another hundred and bought a Zeta Sports?
I don't think so!

[275 GTB-4]

Hi Tom

 

Thanks so much for posting those pics.   I am the originator of this thread which was prompted by Robin Heath leaving  a comment about the Zeta on The Bluebird Project Forum.   I was interested to know more about the Lightburn Zeta's involvement with Bluebird CN7 at lake Eyre in 1963 and 1964.   I understand that four were loaned to the project at that time and there is the occasional glimpse of one in the films produced on the record, mainly "Project Bluebird" (Dunlop) and "How Long a Mile?" (Donald Campbell himself.    I did know that a Zeta Sports was likely to have been part of the company's promotional involvement but the press pic that you have reproduced is the first time that I have seen this.

 

I understand that the National Motor Museum, where Bluebird CN7 is on display, is arranging to send the car to Australia to mark the 50th anniversary of its record next year.

 

Welcome to the Forum, by the way!

 

That would be quite a coup for Australia if it happens....interesting plaque at the site:

 

http://en.wikipedia....pbellPlaque.JPG

[Ian G]

Nissan must have thought it was a Datsun Bluebird for them to be involved.

 

It a wonder Evan let his name be cast in such large letters,in later years he always seemed to stand back and let others take credit.

[GreenMachine]

Nissan must have thought it was a Datsun Bluebird for them to be involved.

 

It a wonder Evan let his name be cast in such large letters,...

 

Yes, I wondered about both those aspects.

[Paul Newby]

Nissan must have thought it was a Datsun Bluebird for them to be involved.

 

It a wonder Evan let his name be cast in such large letters,in later years he always seemed to stand back and let others take credit.

 

I do recall that Evan Green was doing some promo work for Nissan around this time - 1983 or 1984.

 

I saw a video at the Nissan stand at the Sydney Motor Show of Evan Green doing a bit of rally work in a standard Bluebird and inverting it!

 

Evan, ever the professional, clambered out and then made a comment about how tough the Bluebird body was...

 

They would never release that sort of vision these days...

[Lee Nicolle]

That would be quite a coup for Australia if it happens....interesting plaque at the site:
 
http://en.wikipedia....pbellPlaque.JPG

Hey, I have seen that. From memory at the junction of the 'road' to Lake Eyre South near the Muloorina homestead.
I would not have liked to have tried to drive a Zeta in there with their little tiny wheels. Getting Bluebird in would have been a major chore too. They must have used a big 'dozer to get the track in some semblance of order so as not to kill the car. Though then the road from probably Hawker to Marree would have tested the truck carrying Bluebird. Lake Eyre still would be a better place for the boat at the moment though.

[Ian G]

I do recall that Evan Green was doing some promo work for Nissan around this time - 1983 or 1984.

 

 

Yeah,that rings a bell,shortly after he left Holden i think he did some work for Nissan but i don't think it lasted long.

 

I remember a Zeta getting a lot of publicity in one of the Round Oz. Trials,every day it was patched up and off it went.

 

http://www.uniquecar..._ampol_1964.htm

 

Edit..woops..the Ampol Trial was mentioned early in this thead.

Edited by Ian G, 24 October 2013 - 22:42.

[275 GTB-4]

Its a wee ripper! (in best Tommy Dysart voice)

 

[degruch]

^ If my memory serves me correctly, this was Rex Howard's old car, recently sold again at the Weiner auction in the States?

 

Man, I am so coveting those grey Runabouts, want a second series (or for that matter a first series) so badly!