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Zeta 1963-1966 - Short life

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Created in 2011

Text:

Roger Gloor

Photos:

Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM Auctions 2012

Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM Auctions

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Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM Auctions 2012

Darin Schnabel - Courtesy RM Auctions

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Lightburn Zeta Runabout (1964) - offered at the auction of the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum by RM Auction on February 15 and 16, 2013

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Lightburn Zeta Runabout (1964) - sold as lot 320 by AM Auction at the Bruce Weiner sale on February 15/16, 2013

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Lightburn Zeta Sports (1964) - offered at the auction of the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum by RM Auction on February 15 and 16, 2013

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Lightburn Zeta Sports (1964) - sold as lot 588 by AM Auction at the Bruce Weiner sale on February 15/16, 2013

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Summary

There have been around 10,000 car brands and designers - most of which have disappeared. Zeta from Australia can also be counted among these vanished brands. Australia's first small car was to be exported all over the world, but the Zeta was never as successful as Harold Lightburn had hoped and so, three years after it was launched, it was all over again.

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Among Australia's car names, the Holden brand, which belongs to General Motors, is best known. The Zeta from Lightburn and Co Ltd was one of a whole series of smaller makes . This company was founded in 1945 by Harold Lightburn in Camden, South Australia, and produced car accessories and concrete mixers, among other things. In 1963, the millionth hydraulic jack exported worldwide was celebrated. At this time, two new projects were under development: the assembly and distribution of the Alfa Romeo 2600 Berlina and its Coupé Sprint, and the launch of Australia's first small car, the Zeta. Harold Lightburn had been dreaming of such a "second car" for a decade. Then he was able to buy the design and production plans for the Zeta from the English Anzani Company. He had the shape reworked in Italy, while English and German engineers refined the technical concept.

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