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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2009 => Topic started by: Ray B. on October 08, 2009, 03:17:38 PM

Title: Whaddyacallit #438 - Lightburn Zeta's second model
Post by: Ray B. on October 08, 2009, 03:17:38 PM
(http://autopuzzles.com/RayB.stuff2/wdyci438.jpg)

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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Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 09:56:47 AM
Expertise this.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: pnegyesi on October 26, 2009, 10:05:46 AM
It looks a bit like a Suzulight TL from the early 1960s
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 10:07:16 AM
I don't know if ther's a connection, but that's not what it is.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: JR on October 26, 2009, 02:54:54 PM
I think it looks more like a Lightburn Zeta Runabout.

JR
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 06:06:18 PM
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.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Paul Jaray on October 26, 2009, 06:11:25 PM
 :popcorn:
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Allemano on October 26, 2009, 06:14:57 PM
Quote from: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 06:06:18 PM
whoever gives us this explanation.

whoever?  :lurk:
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 06:20:23 PM
It's still in the Experts section, isn't it?
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Allemano on October 26, 2009, 06:22:18 PM
still...











but very soon in the solved section I guess
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on October 26, 2009, 06:26:28 PM
I've got a whole bunch of unsolved ones in the upper sections for you greedy pros.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: hugo90 on October 26, 2009, 07:54:39 PM
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
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on October 27, 2009, 04:16:13 AM
Alright, I understood this, but what's missing is some more details: why, when, etc... the whole story.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on November 03, 2009, 08:05:04 AM
JR gets the first point, but there is another to grab. Pros?
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Paul Jaray on November 03, 2009, 09:35:50 AM
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".
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on November 03, 2009, 11:28:02 AM
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.
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: pnegyesi on November 05, 2009, 03:13:32 AM
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"
Title: Re: Whaddyacallit #438
Post by: Ray B. on November 05, 2009, 02:02:00 PM
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.