Anziel Nova

Anziel Nova
The photo is an Anadol A1 on which it was based
Overview
Manufacturer	Anziel Manufacturing
Production	1967 1 prototype
Designer	Ogle
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size Large family car
Body style	2-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Anadol A1 Reliant FW5
Powertrain
Engine	1,498 cc (1.5 L) Ford Kent Inline-four engine
Transmission	4-Speed Manual gearbox
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,565 mm (101.0 in)
Length	4,381 mm (172.5 in)
Width	1,644 mm (64.7 in)
Height	1,422 mm (56.0 in)
Curb weight	> 828 kg (1,825.4 lb)

The Anziel Nova was meant to be New Zealand's first domestically produced car. A prototype of the fibre-glass bodied car was unveiled in September 1967, however never reached production.

In 1965 Alan Gibbs, then an economist, had returned from England with the idea of creating a New Zealand made car. However, he initially worked for the Government's Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet on the Import Licensing schedule. This experience gave him a good understanding of the problems a start-up venture would face.

The project commenced in Autumn 1966 when Alan moved to Auckland to join with his brother Ian, owner of Anziel Limited, in the venture. The Gibbs' also needed an import licence for the assembly plant, parts, and materials. Because of its use of fibreglass bodywork Reliant Motor Co of England was approached for a suitable design. This was to maximise the quantity of local product in the manufacture.

At the time Reliant was developing the FW5, a mid-range family saloon, for Otosan of Turkey. The FW5 was aimed at relatively low production numbers without the need for expensive plant and tooling. It was designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design. Reliant considered the model suitable for construction in less developed countries because of the ease of manufacture. This car was deemed suitable to meet the Gibbs' requirements.

In August 1966 the Gibbs' sought Government consent to obtain an import licence for their proposal. They proposed to build 3,000 cars per annum, with production commencing in mid-1968. Jack Marshall, was the then Minister of Trade and Industry, whose consent was sought. He declined their request on the grounds that New Zealand was suffering from falling export prices at the time, which was causing a balance of trade problem for the Government. Other established car manufacturers were having the import licences reduced and the granting of a licence to another manufacturer was seen as counter-productive.

Despite this setback the Gibbs' continued to lobby Marshall. He eventually relented and allowed them a licence to import a prototype from Reliant.

On 16 December 1966 Otosan had begun production of the FW5, naming it the Anadol A1. Whether it was an FW5 or an A1 that the Gibbs' obtained as their prototype is unknown as either source could have been used. Given the probable higher import duties on non-United Kingdom sourced vehicles it is more likely that it was a Reliant FW5. The car arrived in New Zealand in winter 1967.