The Anziel brand, notably its iconic Anziel Nova, holds a captivating yet tragic chapter in the realm of automotive history, particularly in New Zealand. In September 1967, a prototype of this intriguing vehicle was revealed, featuring a fibre-glass body that signaled New Zealand's aspiration to produce its first domestically-manufactured car. Although the dream was never fully realized, the journey towards it was one of innovation and struggle.
In 1965, economist Alan Gibbs returned from England with a vision of creating a New Zealand-made car. Armed with invaluable experience from his role at the Government's Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, he understood the complexities and challenges that a startup venture would encounter. The inception of the Anziel project took place in the autumn of 1966 when Alan joined forces with his brother Ian, the owner of Anziel Limited, to bring this dream to life. Given the constraints of local manufacturing capabilities, the Gibbs brothers approached Reliant Motor Co of England for a suitable design that could maximize local content.
Reliant was in the development phase of the FW5, a mid-range family saloon, which was ultimately chosen as the model to be adapted for Anziel's needs. The FW5 was considered suitable for production in less developed countries, owing to its straightforward manufacturing requirements. The Anziel Nova was thus expected to feature a 1498cc pre-crossflow Ford Kent engine, with a 4-speed gearbox, boasting a top speed of 90 mph. Further adaptations were made to its trim, and plans were laid out for introducing four-door versions, a station wagon, commercial vans, and even light trucks.
A significant roadblock was encountered when the Gibbs brothers sought an import licence to commence production of 3,000 cars annually by mid-1968. The government, faced with a precarious balance of trade situation due to falling export revenues, was less than enthusiastic. Their request was initially declined by Jack Marshall, the then Minister of Trade. However, after persistent lobbying, a prototype license was eventually granted, albeit reluctantly.
Despite the initial setbacks, the dream seemed within reach when the Gibbs brothers managed to unveil the prototype in September 1967. Priced at NZ$2,400, the Anziel Nova would have competed with cars like the Hillman Hunter, Toyota Corona, and Isuzu Bellett 1500 in New Zealand. Its key advantage was its higher local content, reducing the need for overseas capital. However, governmental skepticism persisted, and the necessary import licence for mass production was never granted. Even as discussions continued over the next two years, the tide never turned in Anziel's favor.
By March 1970, the project was officially doomed, with the government altering import rules to favor cheaper, fully built cars. The prototype of the Anziel Nova remains in existence and is owned by Alan Gibbs, serving as a poignant reminder of a dream that was audacious yet never fulfilled. Alan Gibbs later turned his automotive passion into the development of the Gibbs Aquada in 2003, but the Anziel Nova remains a bittersweet tale of what could have been New Zealand's foray into automotive manufacturing.
