Heron Plastics was a British manufacturer of specialist automobile bodies and small-volume sports cars, active during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Based in Greenwich, London, the company was founded by Derek Powell and Peter Gunning and specialized in the use of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), commonly known as fiberglass.
The company initially gained recognition for producing GRP body shells designed to be fitted onto existing chassis. One of their early products was the Heron 750, a body shell designed for the Austin 7 chassis, which was popular among amateur racing enthusiasts and the "750 Formula" community.
In 1960, the company introduced its most notable model, the Heron Europa. The Europa was a two-seater sports coupe featuring a fiberglass monocoque construction, which was an advanced engineering approach for the era. The vehicle was designed to utilize mechanical components from the Triumph Herald, including the engine, gearbox, and suspension. Despite its streamlined design and technical ambition, the Heron Europa did not achieve commercial success. Reports indicate that production was extremely limited, with approximately 12 to 15 units manufactured before the company ceased vehicle production.
Following the end of the Europa project, the founders moved into other industrial applications of fiberglass. While the company is no longer active, the Heron Europa remains a subject of interest within the history of British kit cars and specialized sports car manufacturing.