Hidden headlamps
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hidden headlamps are an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobile's headlights when not in use. Depending on the design, the headlights may be mounted in a housing that rotates so as to sit flush with the front end (as with the Porsche 928), may retract into the hood and/or fenders (as with the Chevrolet Corvette from 1968 to 2004), or may be concealed behind retractable or rotating grille panels (as on the 1966 Dodge Charger or 1967 Mercury Cougar).
Hidden headlights first appeared on the Cord 810 in 1936. These units had to be manually opened when the headlights needed to be used.
Powered hidden headlights were pioneered in GM's Buick Y-Job concept car of 1938 and were used briefly on Chrysler Corporation's 1942 production DeSoto, but their popularity has waxed and waned during the ensuing decades. While the arrangement was again popular in the 1980s, in large part because the retracted headlamps had less aerodynamic drag, it has fallen out of favour, owing in large part to the added cost, weight, and complexity, and reliability problems with the mechanisms in older cars. 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.
[edit] Partial list of cars with hidden or pop-up headlights
- Acura/Honda Integra, 1986-1989
- Acura/Honda NSX, 1990-2002
- Aston Martin Lagonda, 1976-1989
- BMW 8 Series, 1989-1999
- BMW M1, 1978-1981
- Buick Reatta, 1988-1991
- Buick Riviera, 1965-1969
- Cadillac Eldorado, 1967-1968
- Chevrolet Camaro, 1967-1969 (optional)
- Chevrolet Caprice, 1968-1969 (optional and very rare)
- Chevrolet Corvette, 1968-2004
- Chrysler 300, 1968-1971
- Chrysler Imperial, 1990-1993
- Chrysler LeBaron, 1987-1992 (coupe & converible only)
- Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1990-1993
- Chrysler New Yorker, 1976-1981 and 1988-1993
- DeSoto, 1942
- Dodge Charger, 1966-1970, (optional in 1971 & 1972)
- Dodge Charger Daytona, 1969-1970
- Dodge Daytona, 1987-1991
- Dodge Magnum, 1978-1979 (clear covers)
- Dodge Monaco, 1972-1973
- Dodge Royal Monaco, 1976-1978
- Dodge St. Regis, 1979-1981 (clear covers)
- Eagle Talon
- Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer
- Ferrari Testarossa
- Fiat X1/9, 1973-1988
- Ford LTD, 1968-1970 (including Country Squire wagon)
- Ford LTD Landau, 1975-1978 (including Country Squire wagon)
- Ford Probe, 1989-1997
- Ford Ranchero, 1970 (GT only)
- Ford Thunderbird, 1967-1969 and 1977-1982
- Ford Torino Brougham, 1970
- Honda Accord, 1986-1989
- Honda Prelude, 1983-1991
- Imperial, 1969-1975 and 1981-1983
- Lancia Montecarlo, 1975-1979
- Lincoln Continental, 1970-1981
- Lincoln Mark series, 1968-1983
- Lotus Elan 2+2, 1962-1975
- Lotus Elan, 1989-1995
- Lotus Esprit, 1978-2004
- Mazda Familia Astina (1989-1994)
- MX-5 Miata (1989-1997)
- Mazda RX-7, 1978-2002
- Mercury Cougar, 1967-1970
- Mercury Marquis, 1969-1978
- Mercury Montego, 1970 (some models)
- Mitsubishi 3000GT, 1991-1993
- Mitsubishi Eclipse 1990-1994
- Mitsubishi Starion
- Nissan 180SX, 1989-1998
- Nissan 240SX/Silvia, 1989-1994
- Nissan 300ZX, 1984-1989
- Oldsmobile Toronado, 1966-1969 and 1986-1992
- Opel GT, 1968-1973
- Plymouth Fury, 1970-1971 (Gran Coupe & Sport Fury, Sport Suburban wagon for 1971)
- Plymouth Fury III, 1972 (optional)
- Plymouth Laser
- Plymouth Superbird, 1970
- Pontiac Fiero, 1984-1988
- Pontiac Firebird, 1982-2002
- Pontiac Grand Prix, 1967-1968
- Pontiac GTO, 1968-1969
- Pontiac Sunbird
- Porsche 911 'Slantnose', 1985-1989, 'Flatnose', 1994
- Porsche 914
- Porsche 924, 1976-1988
- Porsche 928
- Porsche 944, 1982-1991
- Porsche 968, 1991-1994
- Saab Sonett III
- Subaru XT 1985 - 1991
- Toyota 2000GT, 1967-1970
- Toyota Celica, 1986-1993
- Toyota Corolla GT-S, 1983-1991
- Toyota MR2, 1984-1999
- Toyota Sprinter Trueno
- Toyota Supra, 1982-1992
- Triumph TR7/TR8, 1975-1982
- Volvo 480, 1986-1995
