Our 10 favorite hidden headlights

[Bryan]

Modern car designers have it easy. They can sculpt jewel-like housings for their headlights and integrate them into the car’s bodylines almost seamlessly. Back in the days of sealed-beam headlamps, however, there were only so many options to choose from. And while many designers got creative, integrating the lamps into the car’s overall design, some of our favorite cars were available with headlights that were virtually invisible until needed.

We know, headlights go up, headlights go down. We love pop-up headlights too, but that’s for another discussion. Pop-up headlights are a form of hidden headlights, but we’re being completely arbitrary and defining those in this list as stationary headlights that are revealed when a panel opens up to reveal them. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Read the full list on Hagerty.com:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/lists/our-10-favorite-hidden-headlights/

[jwiley]

Does the Cord 810/812 count as mass produced? 

[Brandan]

Yeah, but those are pop-ups, which we didn't include in this list.

[StuA]

ahem - Alfa Romeo Montreal????

[Brandan]

We mentioned them along with the Iso.

[Saxybiker]

Maybe the most unique hidden headlights are the rotating ones in an Opel GT!

[JohnEStark]

Don’t forget Fieros

[Harrdware44]

ALL the Porsche transaxle cars deserve mention- 924, 928, 944, 968

[Harrdware44]

33rd Generation Honda Accord- what other 4 door sedan had popups as standard, across all models?

[dwswig]

OK----Pantera should have made the list.

[RickyB]

37 Cord

[TimeFixers]

FIAT X19

[Rossco]

C2 vettes

[Mike_E_V]

While doing a stint as a Datsun parts Mgr. in 1973, a 1964 C2 in black Roadster was traded in. It was black with red guts. I had to wait until the clients 610 wagon arrived and it took forever so I did not buy the car for $1,100.00! Was I an idiot or what? The used car department sent it out for paint and it was done in white. I'll never forget how the body shop forgot to turn the headlights around and paint the back side. The car looked like a racoon when the lights were on. I purchased a 63 Riviera instead. Go figure.

[JamesFee]

C2 Corvettes ? Even though I'm generally a Ford guy, I have always had an appreciation for the symmetry and styling of the C2's - particularly the headlamp solution.

[HV24]

How about the Lotus Elan. All models including the 1962-72 original, plus the +2 version and the later M100 series all had pop up (and in some cases never pop-down) headlights. 

[Areg]

How is C2 Corvette not on the list?

[FrankenStag]

Opel GT

[panammar]

How is the RX-7 not on this listing?

[gster]

Porsche 914!

 

[Caraddict]

What no Cord 810/812?

[MYTFAST]

whoever could leave the iconic 1966 -69 Toronado out of this list must've been smoken crack!  

[KD]

yea you

[cslandry]

Alfa Romeo Montreal

[NEPony]

no corvettes on this list? 

[renchero63]

No "63 Stingray? Seriously?

[jowcol]

1966 Olds Toronado deserves honorable mention...

[MnL65]

Toronados of the Sixtys you sorely missed!

[BigBend]

Ford Probe (two generations)

[PalmSpringsJJ]

My favorite is my 1978 Thunderbird, which I took delivery of on September 21, 1977.  BUT I like all if these and really, any car with hideaway or pop-up headlights!  

[RMT]

All the comments above (except the Cord) - read the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph, this list does NOT include pop-up headlights, only panel-revealed fixed lights.  Although the C2 'vette and Porsche transaxle series are anomalies of pop-up or flip over styles.

[spoom]

I figure if THEY can go against the 2nd paragraph, why can't the readers. Loved the Cord & C2 😉

[spoom]

Like most of the pics, but for sure would drop the Iso Grifo in favor of the C2 'vette, which absolutely has to make a top 10 hidden headlamps. Never cared for the ones on those Camaros, especially the "3 horizontal bar" ones, IMHO a '68 Camaro with 2 big, round, headlamps was one of the sharpest cars of the day.

[gr8dane]

No Buick Y Job? That's why I clicked the link. The Riv definitely deserves props, though.

[kjcars]

You missed 1967 DODGE CHARGER ! ! ! 

Ken

[dykaar]

944.

[Yogi-53]

No C2 corvette. . . . . Possibly the most beautiful car ever!!!!!!!

[MOGdriver]

1936-1937 Cord, manufactured by Auburn might have been the earliest hidden headlight car.

[chargeral]

You left out a great one the 66-67 Charger's had real cool hidden headlights.  My wife owns a 66 at it gets a lot of attention at car shows.

[digger]

I think the full rotation and electric power of the C2 vette is pretty cool

[PalmSpringsJJ]

My favorite is my 1978 Thunderbird which I took delivery of on September 21, 1977.  But I like all on your list and really any car with hideaway or pop-up headlights 😀

[PB]

1966/67 Charger, maybe not as aggressive a look as the next generation but definitely full of class.

[GAPeach]

Oh no, say it isn't so . . . did you forget the Opel GT?

[GirlToy]

I was just about to mention Opel GT. Coolest headlights ever!

[1980MGB]

I agree.  Probably the coolest hidden headlights.

[JohnnyO]

I was just about to mention the Opel GT as well. Mechanical Genius! I had one and miss it every day.

[wentwest]

Opel GT was the first to pop into my head, too.  It was beautiful.

And the first generation Miata?  Not so beautiful, but there sure were a lot of them. 

[Tim]

I'm guessing they classified Opels as "pop up headlights," though I'd argue they should get an exception waiver since they are "rollover" headlights and special and unique.

[Mike_E_V]

Most are not aware of the Opel's mechanical linkage and how the lamps rolled over from side to side instead of front to back as most folks would think. First time I saw those in 1970 I was amazed. 

[Vettexan13]

Great list!  But sorry...how could you POSSIBLY have not included the '63 Corvette??  When the headlights 'went hidden' after the end of the C1 generation ('62), they remained hidden in the Corvette for the next 43 years!