1983 Heron MJ1 from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

I bought the car as a de-registered non-runner, that had been sitting for ten years in storage - what more can I say?

Pretty much everything that can break is broken, but it isn't particularly relevant as it is a restore job.

Absolutely fantastic looking, people think I own an old Ferrari!

It sits very low, and with its in-line mid mounted engine, the weight distribution is great.

The roof-line is lower than a Lamborghini, so you basically sit in a reclining position in the car - poor visibility, but extremely comfortable!

Being a two seater, and with an inline engine, space is at a premium - if you have the wife and kids, it might pay to buy a Toyota Previa instead... or get a divorce.

Overall I must say I can't wait to get this back on the road, it is one amazing piece of machinery.

Wow! It's been a very very long time since I heard the name Heron MJ1! I remember reading about them when I was about 10 years old...Weren't they built in Rotorua? How many made or left now I wonder?? Good luck with the rebuild.

Hi there - yes, they were built in Rotorua by Ross Baker. The website http://www.heroncars.co.nz should help answer any questions!

Thanks for the link - most interesting! (How did that one end up in a river??)

Interesting shape. Looks like there may have been some Lotus Esprit influence there.

Funny you say that - Lotus ended up buying the patent for the method of constructing the bodies on these Herons - I guess it was a two way street - you rip off our design, we buy your only reason for existing :)

How is the reconstruction of your Heron going? I am looking at purchasing a Heron MJ1. Would like to hear how you are going with yours.

It's going very well at the moment, unfortunately I haven't had too much time to tinker with it. So far I have the engine running, the brake and clutch hydraulics all done, and a fair portion of the harness rebuilt. I'm doing this all singlehandedly one day a week, it sure is taking a while! If you buy a Heron, hopefully you get one that's pretty much complete like mine. Spare panels can be made up new, but it will set you back a few bucks. The Heron website has a large amount of invaluable information. Good luck!