1965 Lightburn & Co, The Zeta Sports

Front view. Green fibreglass two-seater with 'sporty' styling. In 1963 whitegoods manufacturing company Lightburn & Co decided to diversify their business to automobile production. Lightburn had previously only produced cement mixers, fibreglass boats and washing machines. Harold Lightburn’s vision was to manufacture an affordable and practical car. In 1963 the company began to produce a ‘micro car’, the Zeta, made of fibreglass and steel. Lightburn boasted of its lightness and efficient fuel economy.
Despite the low sales of Lightburn’s first car, the Zeta Sedan (also known as the runabout) the company decided to go ahead with its plans to release the next series: a sports car. Lightburn obtained the rights to the Frisky Sprint’s design of a microcar. They made a few changes, for example Lightburn did not include doors to ensure the vehicle was strong. Its 4 speed dog clutch gearbox has no reverse, so the engine must be switched off and started backwards, which provides four reverse gears. Made of fibreglass and steel the Zeta Sports is incredibly light, weighing only 400 kilograms.
The entire Zeta range never captured Australia’s hearts, and it is believed that only 28 of the Sports model were sold. The Zeta has remained a curiosity, rather than a marvel of design.
Specifications:
Engine: ZF Sachs FMR 500
Capacity: 498 cc
Power: 21 hp
Weight: 400 kg