Hidden headlamp

Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps, hideaway headlights or just 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 Porsche 928, may retract into the hood and/or fenders as on the 1963–2004 Chevrolet Corvette, or may be concealed behind retractable or rotating grille panels as on the Dodge Charger, Mercury Comet, or the 1960s Buick Riviera, which pioneered the feature.

Hidden headlamps first appeared on the Cord 810 in 1936. Each unit had a crank on its side of the dashboard, which was turned by hand when the headlamps were needed.

Powered hidden headlamps were pioneered in GM's Buick Y-Job concept car of 1938 and were used briefly on Chrysler Corporation's 1942 production DeSoto. The feature's popularity has waxed and waned over time. Hidden headlamps regained popularity in the late 1960s, particularly in the US market where aerodynamic headlamps were not permitted. A relatively large variety of cars incorporated hidden headlamps in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. Currently, hidden headlamps are out of favour.

Numerous car manufacturers used hidden headlamps to get around the headlight height regulation in the United States, for instance Toyota exported their retractable headlight version of the AE86, known domestically as the Sprinter Trueno in favour of their Corolla Levin as the former had higher headlamp height, enough to satisfy US regulations rather than raise body height which affected handling.

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.

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. Development of both projector beam headlamps — like those on the 1990 Nissan Z — and more efficient, bright LED headlamps of small size will most likely obviate the need for concealed headlamps altogether, though composite headlamps containing small halogen bulbs offered enough freedom of styling have already replaced them to a mainstream scale.

List of cars with hidden or pop-up headlights

AC 3000ME, 1979-84
Acura/Honda Integra, 1986–89
Acura/Honda NSX, 1990–2001
Adams Brothers Probe 15, 1969
Adams Brothers Probe 16, 1969–70
Adams Brothers Probe 2001, 1970–72
Alfa Romeo Montreal, 1970–77
Alpine A610, 1991–95
Alpine GTA, 1987 (U.S. spec)
AMC AMX/3, 1970 (concept car)
Aston Martin Lagonda, 1976–89
Aston Martin Vantage Zagato Volante, 1986–89
Aston Martin Bulldog, 1980 (concept car)
Asüna Sunfire, 1993
Bitter CD & SC, 1973–79
Bricklin SV-1, 1974–76
BMW 8 Series, 1989–99
BMW GINA, 2008 (concept car)
BMW M1, 1978–81
Buick Reatta, 1988–91
Buick Riviera, 1965–69
Buick SkyHawk, 1986–89
Buick Y-Job, 1938 (concept car)
Cadillac Eldorado, 1967–68
Chevrolet Camaro, 1967–69 (optional - usually with the Rally Sport model or the RS/SS package)
Chevrolet Caprice, 1968–69 (optional and very rare)
Chevrolet Corvette, 1963–2004
Chrysler 300, 1968–71
Chrysler Imperial, 1969–93
Chrysler LeBaron, 1987–92 (coupe & convertible only)
Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue, 1990–93
Chrysler New Yorker, 1976–81 and 1988–93
Cizeta-Moroder V16T, 1991–2003
Cord 810, 1936–37
DeSoto, 1942
De Tomaso Mangusta, 1970–71 (US-spec)
De Tomaso Pantera, 1971–74
De Tomaso Guarà, 1993–2004
Dodge Charger, 1966–70, (optional in 1971 & 1972)
Dodge Charger Daytona, 1969–70
Dodge Daytona, 1987–91
Dodge Magnum, 1978–79 (clear covers)
Dodge Monaco, 1972–73
Dodge Royal Monaco, 1976–78
Dodge Stealth, 1991–93
Dodge St. Regis, 1979–81 (clear covers)
Dome Zero, 1976–86 (concept car)
Eagle Talon, 1990–91
Ferrari 288 GTO, 1984–85
Ferrari 308 GTB, 1975–84
Ferrari 328, 1985–89
Ferrari 348, 1989–95
Ferrari 365 California Spyder, 1966–67
Ferrari F355, 1994–99
Ferrari F40, 1987–92
Ferrari 400/412, 1976–89
Ferrari 456/456M, 1992–2003
Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer, 1973–84
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 & GTS/4 "Daytona", 365 GTC/4, 365 GT4 2+2, 1970–76
Ferrari GT4, 1974–80
Ferrari Mondial, 1980–95
Ferrari Testarossa, 512TR, 1984–94
Fiat X1/9, 1973–88 (also called Bertone X1/9 in the USA)
Ford Galaxie 500 XL, 1968–70
Ford LTD (Americas), 1968–70 ;Landau, 1975–78 (including Ford Country Squire wagon)
Ford LTD (Australia), 1973–76
Ford Probe, 1989–97
Ford Ranchero, 1970–71 (GT only)
Ford Thunderbird, 1967–69 and 1977–82
Ford Torino Brougham, Cobra, GT 1970–71
Geo Storm, 1990–91
Ginetta Dare DZ, 1998
Honda Accord, 1986–89
Honda Ballade, 1984–87
Honda Integra, 1986–89
Honda NSX; 1990–2001
Honda Prelude, 1983–91
Honda Vigor, 1986–89
Imperial, 1969–75 and 1981–83
Iso Lele, 1969–74
Iso Grifo, 1965–74
Isuzu Piazza, 1981–87 (also Isuzu Impulse, Holden Piazza)
Jaguar XJ220, 1992–94
Lamborghini Athon, 1980 (concept car)
Lamborghini Bravo, 1974 (concept car)
Lamborghini Countach, 1974–90
Lamborghini Diablo, 1990–98
Lamborghini Islero, 1968–69
Lamborghini Jalpa, 1981–88
Lamborghini Jarama, 1970–76
Lamborghini Urraco, 1973–79
Lamborghini Marco Polo, 1982 (concept car)
Lamborghini Miura, 1966–73
Lamborghini Silhouette, 1976–79

Lancia Montecarlo, 1975–79 (for Scorpion, North-American version)
Lancia Stratos, 1972–73
Lincoln Continental, 1970–79
Lincoln Mark series, 1968–83
Lister Storm, 1993–99
Lombardi Grand Prix, 1968–72
Lotus Eclat, 1974–82
Lotus Elan, 1962–73 +2 model, 1967–75
Lotus Elan M100 1989–95
Lotus Elite, 1974–82
Lotus Esprit, 1976–2004
Lotus Excel, 1982–92
Manta Mirage, 1974–86
Maserati Bora, 1971–80
Maserati Ghibli, 1966–73
Maserati Indy, 1969–74
Maserati Khamsin, 1974–82
Maserati Merak, 1972–82
Matra 530, 1967–73
Matra Bagheera, 1973–80
Matra Murena, 1980–83
Mazda 929 (some models)
Mazda AZ-550 Sports Type A, 1989 (concept version)
Mazda Familia Astina, marketed in Europe as the original 323F, 1989–94
Mazda MX-5 Miata (NA), 1989–97
Mazda RX-7, 1978–2002
Mercury Cougar, 1967–70
Mercury Capri, 1991–94 (Third Generation)
Mercury Cyclone 1970-71 (hidden headlights optional on GT) (70 was a Comet Cyclone and 71 was a Montego Cyclone)
Mercury Marauder, 1969–70
Mercury Marquis, 1969–78
Mercury Montego, 1970–71 (some models)
Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT, 1991–93
Mitsubishi Eclipse, 1990–94
Mitsubishi Starion, 1982–90 (also Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Conquest, captive imports)
Monica 560, 1973–74
Nissan Silvia/200SX(S12), 1983–89
Nissan 180SX/200SX/240SX(S13), 1989–94 [also 1996–98 (Kouki) 180SX]
Nissan 300ZX (Z31), 1984–89
Nissan Pulsar/N12 NX/N13 NX/N13 EXA, 1983–90
Oldsmobile Toronado, 1966–69 and 1986–92
Opel GT, 1968–73
Panther Solo, 1989–90
Plymouth Fury, 1970–71 (Gran Coupe & Sport Fury, Sport Suburban wagon for 1971)
Plymouth Fury III, 1972 (optional)
Plymouth Laser, 1990–91
Plymouth Superbird, 1970
Pontiac Fiero, 1984–88
Pontiac Firebird (including the Trans Am and Formula), 1982–2002
Pontiac Grand Prix, 1967–68
Pontiac GTO, 1968–69
Pontiac Sunbird SE/GT 1986–93
Porsche 911 Turbo SE 'Slantnose', 1985–89, 964 Turbo S 'Flatnose', 1994
Porsche 914, 1969–76
Porsche 924, 1976–88
Porsche 928, 1978–95
Porsche 944, 1982–91
Porsche 968, 1991–94
Quantum Sports Cars 2+2, 1993–
Reliant Scimitar SS1, 1984–90
Reliant Scimitar SST, 1990
Reliant Scimitar Sabre, 1990–93
Saab Sonett III, 1970–74
Saturn SC2, 1991–96
Subaru XT 1985–91
Škoda 1100 GT, 1970
Škoda 110 Super Sport "Vampire the Ferat", 1971
Tatra MTX V8, 1991
Toyota 2000GT, 1967–70
Toyota Celica, 1984–93
Toyota Corolla, 1983–91 (some versions)
Toyota MR2, 1984–99
Toyota Sprinter Trueno, 1983–92
Toyota Supra, 1982–92
Toyota Tercel, 1982–88 (also known as Corolla II and Sprinter Carib)
Triumph TR7/TR8, 1975–82
TVR 350i, 350SX, 1983–89
TVR 350SE, 1990–91
TVR 390SE, 420SE, 1984–89
TVR 400SE, 400SX, 430SE, 450SE, 1988–91
TVR 420 SEAC, 1986–88
TVR 450 SEAC, 1988–89
TVR Tasmin, 280i, Tasmin 200, 1980–88
Venturi 400 GT
Venturi Atlantique, 1987–99^[1]
Venturi Coupe
Venturi MVS
Venturi Transcup
Volvo 480, 1986–95
Vector M12, 1995–99
Vector W8, 1989–93
Vector WX-3, 1993
Zimmer Quicksilver, 1986–90^[2]

Other vehicles with pop-up headlights

Keisei AE-100 Skyliner

Motorcycles

Honda Spacy 125 Striker, 1983–86^[3]
Suzuki GSX750S (Katana), 1984–85

Trains

Keisei Electric Railway AE100 (Skyliner), 1990–

Bicycles

Bridgestone Young Way Monte Carlo, 1979^[4]

Gallery

Framework	Car platform Backbone chassis Body-on-frame Bumper Cabrio coach Chassis Continental tire Crumple zone Dagmar bumpers Fender Fender skirts Grille Hood Hood scoop Monocoque Overhang Pillar Pontoon fenders Quarter panel Roof rack Shaker scoop Spoiler Stressed member engine Subframe Tonneau Trunk lid

Compartments	Trunk / Boot / Dickie Hood / Bonnet

Doors	Butterfly doors Gull-wing door Scissor doors Sliding door Suicide door Vehicle canopy

Glass	Greenhouse Power window Quarter glass Opera window Sunroof Windshield / Windscreen Windshield wiper / Windscreen wiper

Other elements	Bumper sticker Curb feeler Front-end bra Hood ornament Japan black Nerf bar Omniview technology Run-flat tire Spare tire Tire / Tyre Tow hitch Truck accessory Window deflector

Exterior
equipment

Lighting	Daytime running lamp Headlamp Sealed beam High-intensity discharge lamp Hidden headlamps Turn signals Trafficators Rear position lamps Stop lamps Reversing lamps Safety reflector Retroreflector

Other elements	Vehicle horn Vehicle registration plate vanity plate Windshield washer fluid / Windscreen washer fluid Wing mirror

Legal	Motor vehicle theft Vehicle identification number

Interior
equipment

Instruments	Automotive navigation system Global Positioning System Automotive night vision Backup camera Blind spot monitor Boost gauge Buzzer Carputer Check engine light Electronic instrument cluster Fuel gauge Head-up display Lidar detector Odometer Parking sensor Radar detector Speedometer Tachometer Telematics Tell-tale Trip computer

Controls	Bowden cable Brake Cruise control Electronic throttle control Gear stick Manettino dial Parking brake Power steering Steering wheel Throttle

Anti-theft	Automatic vehicle location Car alarm Immobiliser Power door locks Remote keyless system Smart key VIN etching

Safety Seating	Airbag Armrest Automatic seat belts Bench seat Bucket seat Child safety lock Rear-view mirror Rumble seat Seat belt

Other elements	Air conditioning Automobile accessory power Car phone Center console Dashboard Glove compartment Sun visor Vehicle audio

Category
Commons
Portal

Concepts

Methods of generation

Incandescent	Regular Halogen Nernst Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR)

Luminescent	Fluorescent Fluorescent lamp (compact) Fluorescent induction Photoluminescent laser lamp Solid-state LED bulb Cathodoluminescent Electron-stimulated Electroluminescent field-induced polymer

Combustion	Acetylene/Carbide Argand Candle Diya Flare Gas Kerosene Lantern Limelight Oil Rushlight Safety Tilley Torch

Electric arc	Carbon arc Klieg light Yablochkov candle

Gas discharge	Deuterium arc Neon Plasma Sulfur Xenon arc Xenon flash

High-intensity discharge (HID)	Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide (HMI) Hydrargyrum quartz iodide (HQI) Mercury-vapor Metal-halide ceramic Sodium vapor

Theatrical
Cinematic

Stationary

Mobile

Industrial
Scientific

Display
Decorative

References

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↑ Archived July 22, 2011 at the Wayback Machine

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Hidden headlamp

List of cars with hidden or pop-up headlights

Other vehicles with pop-up headlights

Gallery

See also

References