The original mower manufacturer was Arctic Enterprises, you can read an early report on the mower from 1973 here:
http://books.google.com.au/books?id...tary%20engine%20lawn%20mower&f=false

Here is their calalogue advert, showing 4 models of rotary push mowers, produced in 1972,1973 and 1974 model years:
http://www.bosscatlegacy.com/acproto/tractor/acprotonstrac.htm
It appears from the catalogue that most of the mowers were painted an extraordinary shade of puce. A remarkable marketing decision, I would say. Perhaps there are even more transvestites in the US than I had previously thought.

The engine was a Sachs/NSU KM3. I've read two reports that the mower was a disaster in some countries because the coir matting air filter element was ineffective, resulting in extremely rapid engine side-plate wear. One report said this happened in NZ, the other said it happened in Australia. The NZ report was more detailed and was a first-hand report. I also found several reports that the ignition coils on those engines were very unreliable.

Here is a 2007 report by a person who owns one of the mowers, and the report by the NZ person who said the engines wore out their side plates very quickly:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lmower/msg1016374624654.html

So, most likely the mower was sold in NZ, and very likely it ended up being held in low regard. Perhaps you can find one for sale in NZ.