Launched by the Lightburn Washing Machine Company from Camden Park in South Australia in 1963, the Zeta was an unusual vehicle to say the least.

It was manufactured of Fibre Glass in three body styles, the 2 door sedan, 2 door roadster and utility – each clearly targeting the “cheap and cheerful” market segment.

On paper at least, the Zeta put forward a compelling argument to augment the Aussie family with a second car, the $595 asking price was low?

It had some neat tricks like you reversed the car by turning the ignition key anti-clockwise and the fuel gauge looked like a fat thermometer.

But the execution was poor, build quality and insipid engines combining to wipe the smile off any new owners face in seconds, rather than minutes.

And with the release of vastly superior vehicles such as the Mini Minor few were tempted to give the little Zeta a try.

The Sydney City Council did purchase a handful of the utility body styled Zeta’s to supplement it’s Hyde Park fleet, but these rarely ventured onto the bitumen.

As a result only 363 vehicles were sold from 1963 to 1966, including only 28 of the sports model.

But I did have a mate who used to drive his Mum’s little Zeta and as young blokes we couldn’t be too fussy about our rides in those days.

The little Zeta disappeared off the Aussie scene in a short time.

via Lightburn Zeta : 1963