Hidden Headlamps

Hidden headlamps are an automotive styling featureA 1973 SAAB Sonett III
that conceals an automobile's headlamps when theyA Mazda 323F
are not in use. Depending on the design, theOpel GT
headlamps may be mounted in a housing that rotatesDodge Charger
so as to sit flush with the front end as on theVolvo 480
Porsche 928, may retract into the hood and/orList of cars with hidden or pop-up headlights
fenders as on the 19682004 Chevrolet Corvette, orAcura/Honda Integra, 19861989
may be concealed behind retractable or rotating grilleAcura/Honda NSX, 19902002
panels as on the 1966 Dodge Charger.Alfa Romeo Montreal, 19701977
Hidden headlamps first appeared on the Cord 810 inAston Martin Lagonda, 19761989
1936. Each unit had a crank on its side of theAston Martin Vantage Zagato Volante, 19861989
dashboard, which was turned by hand when theAston Martin Bulldog, 1980 (concept car)
headlamps were needed.Asna Sunfire, 1993
Powered hidden headlamps were pioneered in GM'sBitter CD, 1973
Buick Y-Job concept car of 1938 and were usedBitter SC, 1979
briefly on Chrysler Corporation's 1942 productionBricklin SV-1, 19741976
DeSoto. The feature's popularity has waxed andBMW 8 Series, 19891999
waned over time. Hidden headlamps regainedBMW GINA, 2008 (concept car)
popularity in the late 1960s, particularly in the USBMW M1, 19781981
market where aerodynamic headlamps were notBuick Reatta, 19881991
permitted. A relatively large variety of carsBuick Riviera, 19651969
incorporated hidden headlamps in the 1970s, '80s, andBuick SkyHawk, 19821988
early 1990s. Currently, hidden headlamps are out ofBuick Y-Job, 1938 (concept car)
favour.Cadillac Eldorado, 19671968
Numerous car manufacturers used hidden headlampsChevrolet Camaro, 19671969 (optional)
to get around the headlight height regulation in theChevrolet Caprice, 19681969 (optional and very rare)
United States, for instance Toyota exported theirChevrolet Corvette, 19632004
retractable headlight version of the AE86, knownChrysler 300, 19681971
domestically as the Sprinter Trueno in favour of theirChrysler Imperial, 19901993
Corolla Levin as the former had higher headlampChrysler LeBaron, 19871992 (coupe &
height, enough to satisfy US regulations rather thanconvertible only)
raise body height which affected handling.Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 19901993
US laws now permit aerodynamic headlamps, relativeChrysler New Yorker, 19761981 and 19881993
to which hidden headlamps represent added cost,DeSoto, 1942
weight, and complexity as well as reliability concernsDe Tomaso Mangusta, 19701971 (US-spec)
as cars age. Internationalized ECE auto safetyDe Tomaso Pantera, 19711974
regulations have also recently incorporatedDe Tomaso Guar, 19932004
pedestrian-protection provisions restrictingDodge Charger, 19661970, (optional in 1971 &
protuberances from car bodies, making it more1972)
difficult and expensive to design compliant pop-upDodge Charger Daytona, 19691970
headlamps.Dodge Daytona, 19871991
The last time pop-up headlamps appeared on aDodge Magnum, 19781979 (clear covers)
volume-production car was in 2004 when both theDodge Monaco, 19721973
Lotus Esprit and C5 Corvette ended production.Dodge Royal Monaco, 19761978
A 1937 Cord 812Dodge Stealth, 19911993
A 1938 Buick Y-JobDodge St.
A 1967 Ford Thunderbird