Hidden headlamp
Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps, pop-up headlights, flip-eye headlamps, or hideaway headlights, are a form of automotive lighting and an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobile's headlamps when they are not in use.

Depending on the design, the headlamps may be mounted in a housing that rotates so as to sit flush with the front end as on the Lamborghini Miura or Porsche 928, may retract into the hood and/or fenders as on the 1963β2004 Chevrolet Corvette, or may be concealed behind retractable or rotating grille panels as on the 1966-1970 Dodge Charger, 1970-1971 Mercury Cyclone, or the 1963-1965 Buick Riviera.
History
Hidden headlamps first appeared on the Cord 810 in November 1935 at the New York Auto Show[1] and shortly after on a custom example of the Alfa Romeo 8C in 1936.[2] In the Cord, a pair of cranks on either side of the dashboard could be turned by hand to bring out the headlamps when needed.[3] Powered hidden headlamps first appeared on GM's concept car in 1938, the Buick Y-Job,[4] and appeared on concept cars for several years after, including the 1951 General Motors Le Sabre.[5] However, power hidden headlamps would not appear on a production vehicle until 1962 with the Lotus Elan.[6] The popularity of this feature has waxed and waned over time. Hidden headlamps regained popularity in the mid-to-late 1960s, first in Europe but particularly in the US where aerodynamic headlamps were not permitted. A relatively large variety of cars incorporated hidden headlamps in the 1970s, 1980s, and up to the early 1990s. Subsequent legislation led to hidden headlamps falling increasingly out of favor.
Manufacturers often used hidden headlamps to circumvent headlight height regulations in the United States; for instance Toyota exported their retractable headlight version of the AE86, known domestically as the Sprinter Trueno, instead of the Corolla Levin, as the former had a higher headlamp height, enough to satisfy US regulations[7] β as opposed to raising the body height, which would have affected handling.
Discontinuation
US laws now permit aerodynamic headlamps, relative to which hidden headlamps represent added cost, weight, and complexity as well as reliability concerns as cars age. Internationalized ECE auto safety regulations have also recently incorporated pedestrian-protection provisions restricting protuberances from car bodies, making it more difficult and expensive to design compliant pop-up headlamps. However, since hidden headlamps are not outright banned, they can be still be installed on vehicles today such as in the Ares Design Project1.[8]
The last time pop-up headlamps appeared on a volume-production car was in 2004 when both the Lotus Esprit and C5 Corvette ended production.[9][10] Development of both projector beam headlamps such as those on the 1990 Nissan Z, and more efficient, bright LED headlamps has in practice, eliminated the need for hidden headlamps altogether.
List of cars with hidden headlamps
Production cars
- AC 3000ME, 1979β1984
- Ares Design Project1, 2018 (redesign of Lamborghini HuracΓ‘n, also known as the Ares Panther)
- Adams Brothers Probe 15, 1969
- Adams Brothers Probe 16, 1969β1970
- Adams Brothers Probe 2001, 1970β1972
- Alfa Romeo 8C2900A Pininfarina Berlinetta, 1936
- Alfa Romeo Montreal, 1970β1977
- Alpine A610, 1991β1995
- Alpine GTA, 1987 (U.S. spec)
- Aston Martin Lagonda, 1976β1989
- Aston Martin Vantage Zagato Volante, 1986β1989
- AsΓΌna Sunfire, 1993
- Bitter CD & SC, 1973β1979
- Bricklin SV-1, 1974β1976
- BMW 8 Series (E31), 1989β1999
- BMW M1, 1978β1981
- Buick Reatta, 1988β1991
- Buick Riviera, 1965β1969
- Buick SkyHawk, 1986β1989
- Burlington Centurion 1981-1982
- Cadillac Eldorado, 1967β1968
- Chevrolet Camaro, 1967β1969 (optional - usually with the Rally Sport model or the RS/SS package)
- Chevrolet Caprice, 1968β1969 (optional and very rare)
- Chevrolet Corvette, 1963β2004
- Chrysler 300, 1968β1971
- Chrysler Imperial, 1969β1993
- Chrysler LeBaron, 1987β1992 (coupe & convertible only)
- Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1990β1993
- Chrysler New Yorker, 1976β1981 and 1988β1993
- Cizeta-Moroder V16T, 1991β2003
- Clan Clover 1984-1988
- Continental Mark series, 1968β1983
- Cord 810/812, 1936β1937
- Covini B24, 1981
- DARE DZ, 1998-1999[11]
- DeSoto, 1942[12]
- De Tomaso Mangusta, 1970β1971 (US-spec)
- De Tomaso Pantera, 1971β1974
- De Tomaso GuarΓ , 1993β2004
- Dodge Charger, 1966β1970, (optional in 1971 & 1972)
- Dodge Charger Daytona, 1969β1970
- Dodge Daytona, 1987β1991
- Dodge Magnum, 1978β1979 (clear covers)
- Dodge Monaco, 1972β1973
- Dodge Royal Monaco, 1976β1978
- Dodge Stealth, 1991β1993
- Dodge St. Regis, 1979β1981 (clear covers)
- Eagle Talon, 1990β1991
- Evante Sports 1600 Mk.2 1985-1994
- Ferrari/Dino 208/308 GT4, 1974β1980
- Ferrari 288 GTO, 1984β1985
- Ferrari 308 GTB, 1975β1984
- Ferrari 328, 1985β1989
- Ferrari 348, 1989β1995
- Ferrari 365 California Spyder, 1966β1967
- Ferrari 365 GTB/4 & GTS/4 "Daytona", 365 GTC/4, 365 GT4 2+2, 1970β1976
- Ferrari Daytona SP3, 2022
- Ferrari 400/412, 1976β1989
- Ferrari 456/456M, 1992β2003
- Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer, 1973β1984
- Ferrari F355, 1994β1999
- Ferrari F40, 1987β1992
- Ferrari Mondial, 1980β1995
- Ferrari Testarossa, 512TR, 1984β1994
- Fiat 125 Samantha, 1967 (a two-door coupΓ© version of Fiat 125 built by Vignale and designed by Virginio Vairo)
- Fiat/Bertone X1/9, 1972β1989
- Ford/Mercury Capri, 1991β1994
- Ford Galaxie 500 XL, 1968β1970
- Ford LTD (Americas), 1968β1970; Landau, 1975β1978 (including Ford Country Squire wagon)
- Ford LTD (Australia), 1973β1976
- Ford Landau, 1973β1976
- Ford Probe, 1989β1997
- Ford Ranchero GT, 1970β1971
- Ford Thunderbird, 1967β1969, 1977β1982
- Ford Torino Brougham, Cobra, GT 1970β1971
- Geo Storm, 1990β1991
- Ginetta G4 Series IV (some models), 1981β1986
- Ginetta G23/24, 1981
- Ginetta G26/31, 1984β1986
- Ginetta G27 (updated version of G4 Series IV), 1986-1990
- Ginetta G32, 1989β1992
- Ginetta G33, 1991
- Grinnal TR8, 1990
- Hawk HF3000, 1988
- Hofstetter Turbo, 1986-1991
- Honda Accord, 1986β1989
- Honda Ballade, 1984β1987
- Honda/Acura Integra/Rover 416, 1986β1989
- Honda/Acura NSX, 1990β2001
- Honda Prelude, 1983β1991
- Honda Vigor, 1986β1989
- Imperial, 1969β1975 and 1981β1983
- βIrishβ Clan 1982
- Isdera Imperator 108i, 1991β1993 (facelift model)
- Iso Lele, 1969β1974
- Iso Grifo, 1965β1974
- Isuzu Piazza, 1981β1987 (also Isuzu Impulse, Holden Piazza)
- Jaguar XJ220, 1992β1994
- Kia Elan, 1989β1995 (also sold as Lotus Elan)
- Lamborghini Countach, 1974β1990
- Lamborghini Diablo, 1990β1998
- Lamborghini Islero, 1968β1969
- Lamborghini Jalpa, 1981β1988
- Lamborghini Jarama, 1970β1976
- Lamborghini Urraco, 1973β1979
- Lamborghini Miura, 1966β1973
- Lamborghini Silhouette, 1976β1979
- Lancia Montecarlo, 1975β1979 (for Scorpion, North American version)
- Lancia Stratos, 1972β1973
- Ledl AS, 1981-1987
- Lincoln Continental, 1970β1979
- Lister Storm, 1993β1999
- Lombardi Grand Prix, 1968β1972
- Lotus Eclat, 1974β1982
- Lotus Elan, 1962β1973 +2 model, 1967β1975
- Lotus Elan M100 1989β1995 (also sold as Kia Elan)
- Lotus Elite, 1974β1982
- Lotus Esprit, 1976β2004
- Lotus Excel, 1982β1992
- Manta Mirage, 1974β1986
- Maserati Bora, 1971β1980
- Maserati Ghibli, 1966β1973
- Maserati Indy, 1969β1974
- Maserati Khamsin, 1974β1982
- Maserati Merak, 1972β1982
- Matra 530, 1967β1973
- Matra Bagheera, 1973β1980
- Matra Murena, 1980β1983
- Mazda 626 (dealer optional with Mazda Cosmo HB front-end for Indonesian market), 1987
- Mazda Cosmo/929 HB coupΓ©, 1981β1989
- Mazda Familia Astina, marketed in Europe as the original 323F, 1989β1994
- Mazda MX-5/Miata NA, 1989β1997
- Mazda RX-7, 1978β2002
- Mercury Capri, 1991-1994
- Mercury Cougar, 1967β1970
- Mercury Cyclone 1970β1971
- Mercury Marauder, 1969β1970
- Mercury Marquis, 1969β1978
- Mercury Montego MX, 1970β1971
- Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT, 1991β1993
- Mitsubishi Eclipse, 1990β1991
- Mitsubishi Starion, 1982β1990 (also Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Conquest, captive imports)
- Monica 560, 1973β1974
- Monteverdi Hai 450 1970-1973
- Nissan 180SX/200SX/240SX, 1989β1998
- Nissan 300ZX Z31, 1984β1989
- Nissan EXA, 1983β1990
- Oldsmobile Toronado, 1966β1969 and 1986β1992
- Opel GT, 1968β1973
- Pangra, 1972β1973 (based on Ford Pinto)
- Panther Solo, 1989β1990
- Panther 6, 1976-1977
- Plymouth Fury, 1970β1971 (Gran Coupe & Sport Fury, Sport Suburban wagon for 1971)
- Plymouth Fury III, 1972 (optional), Gran Coupe & Sport Fury
- Plymouth Laser, 1990β1991
- Plymouth Superbird, 1970
- Pontiac Fiero, 1984β1988
- Pontiac Firebird (including the Trans Am and Formula), 1982β2002
- Pontiac Grand Prix, 1967β1968
- Pontiac GTO, 1968β1969
- Pontiac Sunbird SE/GT 1986β1993
- Porsche 911 Turbo SE 'Slantnose', 1985β1989, 964 Turbo S 'Flatnose', 1994
- Porsche 914, 1969β1976
- Porsche 924, 1976β1988
- Porsche 928, 1978β1995
- Porsche 944, 1982β1991
- Porsche 968, 1991β1994
- Quantum Sports Cars 2+2, 1993
- Reliant Scimitar SS1/SST/Sabre, 1984β1995
- Saab Sonett III, 1970β1974
- Saturn SC2, 1991β1996
- Subaru XT, 1985β1991
- Siata 208 CS, 1952-1954 (also known as 200 CS)
- Siva S160 Spyder, 1971-1973
- Spectre R42, 1995-1998
- Ε koda 1100 GT, 1970
- Ε koda 110 Super Sport, 1971
- Tatra MTX V8, 1991
- Toyota 2000GT, 1967β1970
- Toyota Celica, 1984β1993
- Toyota MR2, 1984β1999
- Toyota Sprinter Trueno/Corolla coupΓ©, 1983β1991
- Toyota Supra, 1982β1992
- Toyota Tercel/Corolla II/Corsa SR/SV/SX/GP Turbo, 1986β1990
- Triumph TR7/TR8, 1975β1982
- TVR 350i, 350SX, 1983β1989
- TVR 350SE, 1990β1991
- TVR 390SE, 420SE, 1984β1989
- TVR 400SE, 400SX, 430SE, 450SE, 1988β1991
- TVR 420 SEAC, 1986β1988
- TVR 450 SEAC, 1988β1989
- TVR Tasmin, 280i, Tasmin 200, 1980β1988
- Venturi 400 GT 1994β1997
- Venturi Atlantique, 1987β1999
- Venturi CoupΓ© series/Transcup, 1987β1996
- Volvo 480, 1986β1995
- Vector M12, 1995β1999
- Vector W8, 1989β1993
- Yulon Arex, 1993β1995
- Zimmer Quicksilver, 1986β1990[13]
Concept cars
- Alfa Romeo Caimano, 1971
- Alfa Romeo Carabo, 1968
- Alfa Romeo Delfino, 1983
- Alfa Romeo Iguana, 1969
- AMC AMX/3, 1970
- Aston Martin Bulldog, 1980
- Autozam AZ-550 Type A, 1989
- BMW 830i/850i Cabrio/M8 (E31)
- BMW GINA, 2008
- Buick Y-Job, 1938
- Chevrolet Aerovette, 1969-1976
- Chevrolet CERVIII, 1990
- Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT, 1962
- Chevrolet Mako Shark, 1962
- Covini B24
- Dome Zero, 1976β1986
- Ferrari 408 4RM, 1987-1988
- Ferrari Rainbow, 1976
- Ford Cobra 230 M.E., 1986
- Ford Probe I, 1979
- Ford Maya, 1984
- General Motors Le Sabre, 1951
- General Motors XP-819
- Ginetta G25, 1983
- Holden Hurricane, 1969
- Jaguar XJ Spider Pininfarina, 1978
- Karmann Cheetah, 1971
- Lamborghini Athon, 1980
- Lamborghini Bravo, 1974
- Lamborghini Marco Polo, 1982
- Lamborghini P140, 1987
- Lancia Medusa, 1980
- Lancia Mizar, 1974
- Lancia Sibilo, 1978
- Lincoln Quicksilver Ghia concept, 1983
- Lotus Etna, 1984
- Lotus M90, 1984
- Mako Shark
- Maserati Boomerang, 1972
- MVS Ventury, 1984β1986
- Mazda Miata M Coupe/Roadster, 1997
- Mazda MX-5 (NA) Electric car, 1993
- Mazda P729, 1986
- Mazda V705, 1985
- Mazda MX-81 Aria, 1981
- Mazda RX-7 Concept Model (FD), 1993
- Mercedes-Benz C111, 1969β1970
- MG Boxer, 1978
- MG EX-E, 1985
- Nissan 126X, 1970
- Nissan MID4, 1985β1987
- Toyota FXV, 1985
- Toyota SA-X, 1981
- Toyota SV-2, 1981
- Toyota SV-3, 1983
- Tracer TXC, 1985
- Vauxhall XVR, 1966
- Vector WX-3, 1993
- Volvo Tundra, 1979
- Zender Vision 1S, 1983
- Zender Vision 2, 1985
- Zender Vision 3, 1987
- Zender Vision 3C, 1986
Race cars
Other vehicles with hidden headlamps
- Keisei Electric Railway AE100 (Skyliner), 1990β2016
- Honda Spacy 125 Striker
- Keisei AE-100 Skyliner
Gallery
- 1937 Cord 812
- 1938 Buick Y-Job
- 1942 DeSoto convertible
- 1967 Ford Thunderbird
- 1968 Chevrolet Caprice sedan
- 1968 Dodge Charger RT
- 1970 Ε koda 1100 GT
- 1972 Opel GT
- 1973 SAAB Sonett III
- 1978 BMW M1
- 1986 Toyota MR2
- 1989 Mazda 323F
- 1990 Plymouth Laser
- 1991 Tatra MTX V8
- 1992 Volvo 480
- 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
See also
References
- "1936 Cord 810 Westchester". Heritage Museums and Gardens.
- "Alfa RomΓ©o Type 8C 2, 31". CITΓ DE L'AUTOMOBILE.
- US Patent 2084120A, Harold T Ames, "Headlight structure", issued 1937-06-15
- Mroz, Albert. "Why the 'Y-Job' -- Harley Earl and the Buick Dream Car". Pre War Buick.
- "Pop-Up Headlights β Seventy Years of Hidden History". Heacock Classic.
- Lotus Elan Owners Workshop Manual 1962-1974. Brooklands Books Ltd. p. 107. ISBN 9781855200227.
- "Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 - Transportation". Gov Info. Table II. 2004-10-01.
- Perez, Jeff. "Ares Panther Is A Proper 641-HP Tribute To The Pantera". Motor1.
- "Esprit Production Figures". Lotus Esprit World.
- "2004 C5 Corvette Production". C5 Registry.
- "Dare DZ Sports Convertible". Brightwells Classic Cars.
- "The Car From Tomorrow: The 1942 DeSoto". Macs Motor City Garage.
- Baruth, Jack. "First Drive: 1988 Zimmer QuickSilver". Road and Track.
- "First two-wheeled vehicle with retractable headlights". Honda Japan. 1983-03-07.
External links
Media related to Hidden headlamps at Wikimedia Commons