Zeta

The Ampol Rally in 1964 was a baptism of fire for an unknown car, newly born, barely christened. It was the Zeta - the lowest priced, lowest powered car ever to enter such a long, gruelling reliability trial, not just in Australia, but in the world.

The Zeta team finished the punishing course without any damage - one of only 12 to do so in a field of 151. 

They'd proven their reliability but it still wasn't enough to make them sell. 

The Zeta was truly eccentric. It had strange looks - little fins and a fibreglass body. And if you wanted to, you could travel in reverse at 60 MPH!.

The Zeta had such a tiny engine that the salesmen never took the whole family for a test-drive because they couldn't be sure the car would make it.

Only 343 Zetas were sold, and at £600, most Australians opted for buying a larger, cheaper and used car. Even Zeta supporters were doubtful.