THE AMPOL ZETA TRIAL 1964

/ super100mph
This 50 year old film follows the fortunes of the Lightburn Zeta team cars in the 7000 mile (11300 km) 1964 Ampol 'Around Australia' Trial. The Lightburn Zeta was a FWD 324cc 2-stroke engined vehicle built in South Australia between 1963 and 1965. Obviously, the Zeta didn't win the Trial, though one did officially finish. The honours went to Harry Firth and Graham Hoinville in a Ford Cortina. A real time capsule, this one.
www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/...
lightburnzeta.com/Lightburn_Ze...
www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/...
All credit to The Golden Age of Motorsport and Lightburn Productions.
Motor racing is an international language.

[@sharonhallett6855]

Our family has my grandfathers diaries in which he notes day to day design and engineering task,s, from concept to final production, of the Lightburn Zeta. I recall how proud he was when he told the storey about the Zeta completing the rally, even though it did come last. This little car was designed and built on a shoe string budget that defies belief in this day and age.

[@ricksymons4265]

Sharon, you can be very proud of your grandfather. I met him several times down on Kangaroo Island - he had a beach house at Stokes Bay. I was reminded of him by an article in the Sydney Morning Herald: The forgotten Australian-built cars Lightburn Zeta SMH 5Jan2024 The Zeta was an extraordinary effort for those times. Very innovative and very visionary. My understanding is he was working on a prototype of a tractor that could work sideways on hilly paddock slopes by adjusting the height of the wheels relative to the tractor body.

[@ZetaMicrocar]

My ampol trial zeta is on display at Gilbert's Motor Museum in Strathalbyn south Australia. Still running strong 60 years on🇦🇺🥰👍😁

[@oz2strokeman116]

I am amazed they made it, they were thrashing those little two strokes and it looked as if they were out of control more than once. Hats off to them.

[@davidbayley9588]

A truly Australian car, Australian made & owned

[@dazaspc]

Great to see one of the greatest aussie made car products, a Lightburn Jack.

[@peterpiper831]

At 13:20. -- shades of "Dukes of Hazzard"

[@ldnwholesale8552]

A film by the Lightburn film unit. That says it all. They ever only sold a few dozen of the things. There is about 2 left. There used to be half completed bodies outside the Lightburn plant for decades. A few ended up as drag cars in the dim dark past.

[@robinheath7616]

I am one proud and happy owner of one of the Lightburn Zeta runabout cars built for the 1964 Ampol trial and you will find that there are more Zetas left than you may realise. the assumptions you make are false and misleading yours faithfully Robin Heath

[@terryjackson4538]

There has been one each year in 2017 and 2018 of the Concours de Lemons Down Under in Adelaide. 2 different ones, both in the process of being restored. They re out there in sheds and back yards. Bloody good that a business making washing machines and cement mixers (one of which I still use) and other machinery should turn its hand to making a car. This is what small towns away from the cities should be doing, creating an industry and developing our younger generation into innovative thinkers.

[@LaserSharkPhotoablations]

@@robinheath7616 When/where did you buy that m8? I went to the lightburn factory in about 83 and asked to buy the last one they had. they wanted too much, but i did go look at it and the 2x 500cc race cars and a couple of electrics they used on site. I found a Zeta motor in Kilarney QLD a couple years ago. I tried to find someone.. anyone who would be interested but there is no group that i could find that still functions. :(

[@peterlaustra2892]

Given the fact that Australia no longer manufactures Holden and Ford Falcons wouldn't this be the right time to resurrect this car brand ?

[@fredfungalspore]

Sad to see the innovative attitude of Australians as seen in this footage has been bought out or sold off.It is a serious indictment on this once great nation

[@DerSpiess11]

The EH Holden S4 would be the pick of the bunch here.

[@daviddyson7359]

The first and only station wagon with no tailgate. You had to load and unload through the front passenger doors!

[@fredfungalspore]

I remember as a boy Ampol or Amoco playing and advert on TV in black and white it would Strobe the Ampol or Amoco name to create the illusion of colour TV transmission very ingenious ..can any one remember that ???

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Mobil I feel. I remember the add but not the brand. Late 60s.

[@eyeswideopeniam8776]

I remember that...it seemed really innovative att but seems quaint now.

[@critchley3819]

I heard from a very reliable souse Zeta employed Noddy to do the driving and Big ears, as co driver, apparently he was the only one who could find reverse, for getting the car to the finish line the prize was a lifetime supply of washing machines...

[@bigears4426]

I still have the washing machines

[@darryllspalding5211]

What a trip!!!!!

[@greasylimpet3323]

The poor little things kept going, it sure wasn't an easy drive. It's a shame they didn't stay in production, but it's hard to compete against big business!

[@phoneticau]

Harold Lightburn had grand plans and ideas sadly Morris mini minor came around the same time and only 100 quid dearer than the Zeta

[@fordlandau]

Built in a washing machine factory!

[@oz2strokeman116]

Which makes it even more outstanding. They must have been brilliant washing machines.

[@jackjacko8706]

Their washing machines were incredible . Based on same design as their cement mixers. Tub on an angle. Used minimum of water. Very popular when on tank water.

[@lindywarrell325]

I would love to know from anybody whether they remember some of the contestants in the 1964 Trial coming to Oodnadatta overnight. I am writing a novel about that period (lived there at the time).

[@gustavmeyrink_2.0]

1:24 Why the Gorilla mask?