Topic: Whaddyacallit #438 - Lightburn Zeta's second model

[Ray B.]

Ever seen this ?

If you did, please respond below and let us know the "make and model" of the car posted here.

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Also, please be sure to check out our other puzzles, and, please post a puzzle of your own if you'd like - the more, the merrier.

Thanks!

[Ray B.]

Expertise this.

[pnegyesi]

It looks a bit like a Suzulight TL from the early 1960s

[Ray B.]

I don't know if ther's a connection, but that's not what it is.

[JR]

I think it looks more like a Lightburn Zeta Runabout.

JR

[Ray B.]

You're quite right, but something puzzles me. I've already posted a puzzle with another Zeta, with an uglier and obviously different styling ( http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=4676.0 ).
In all the informations I find on the Zeta, both types are shown but no reference his made to those two stylings. It looks like this one was the second, but so few cars were built that I wonder how there could have been a second model.
So, one point for you, and another to whoever gives us this explanation.

[Paul Jaray]

 

[Allemano]

whoever gives us this explanation.

whoever? 

[Ray B.]

It's still in the Experts section, isn't it?

[Allemano]

still...











but very soon in the solved section I guess

[Ray B.]

I've got a whole bunch of unsolved ones in the upper sections for you greedy pros.

[hugo90]

There were two different bodies for the Lightburn Zeta sedan.  The first was really ugly and the second, this one, not so offensive. 

Here is a link to my copy of the sales brochure:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2057877129_03a6330ec0_o.jpg

[Ray B.]

Alright, I understood this, but what's missing is some more details: why, when, etc... the whole story.

[Ray B.]

JR gets the first point, but there is another to grab. Pros?

[Paul Jaray]

I found this: "they first body was built using the rights of the former British Anzani's Astra, but it came out a bit crazy, with fins on the roof and nips and tucks here and there, then Lightburn tidied up the appearance somewhat and the series 2 version was born".

[Ray B.]

Well Paul, I've visited a few other places who talk of the Zeta and this is the first time that an explanation is given for those two different stylings. I know it's weird to have made two different stylings for a car who eventually had no more than 363 copies sold. But there are some weirder details about it: like it had no tail gate, and like it could go to 60 mph in reverse...
The second point is yours if no  one comes up with in the next 2 days some more precise facts.

[pnegyesi]

Classic and Sportscar, September 1992 issue features a road test of a restored Lightburn Zeta. It describes how the Australian press mocked the Zeta which was unveiled in 1963 with much ballyhoo, including an expensive TV advertising campaign.
The Zeta was a dud. "First impressions are of how appalinglz ugly the car is - later versions were tidied up a bit, with a grille that was intended to ape the BMC 1100's"

[Ray B.]

Interesting piece of information, but it doesn't add much tu the history of the second model.
One point to JR, one to Paul Jaray.