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Anyone miss when they still made cars with pop-up/hidden headlights?
Obviously pop-up headlights is one more thing that can go wrong and cause headaches but still those were the good ole days. I can't think of any modern car or cars in the pipe line that is going to have these.
One of my dream cars:
Another "affordable dream car" on my garage bucket list:
In my opinion, I liked how cars with popup headlights looked when they are off. To me, when the lights are up, it looks inelegant since its a regular round or rectangular housing stuck in there. Whereas non-popup lights are more integrated into the design of the car and give it a better look, at least when the headlights are needed.
I am totally with you, OP. It was a relatively unique styling cue. But the aerodynamic disadvantage these had when they were up, as well as the aforementioned mechanical complexity killed them off.
I'm in the minority here but the C5 Z06 front end is still my favorite looking Corvette to this day. I also prefer the NSX flip-up lights better than the 2002+ front end.
I also prefer the NSX flip-up lights better than the 2002+ front end.
The front ends on that NSX, all the RX-7s and the MR-2s made the cars' looks flow incredibly well, like the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the day.
I like the C6 much more than the C5, though. The C5 always seemed too blocky and doorstop-like to me-- like my 1G Integra with pop-up lights.
The 2G Integra design seemed to flow much better, but I preferred the driving feel of the 5-speed 1G Integra (never drove an Integra GS-R, though).
I like some cars with them. The MKIII Supra, BMW 8, and C5 Corvette pulled it off well I think. The NSX looked better without pop-ups. But they all looked classy even with the lights on IMO.
The NA Miata, and 3rd gen Prelude/Accord didn't look so great with pop ups. Those were big fuckers that stood way above the hoodline all like some baby cockroach.
I had a 3G prelude and loved my pop ups. Also had a 89 Accord with pop ups.
Never had issues in the iced over winters...but you did have manual releases...or, if I thought it might get to cold/icy I would just leave them flipped up.
Overall...weather I like flip up/hideaways really just depends on the design. When you are younger they are more of a cool gimmick then anything.
That said you'll never see flip ups on a modern mass produced car again because of pedestrian safety.
I had a geeky kind of love for popup lights growing up... and that's something that doesn't go away. I still love them. Just the concept of the mechanism itself enamored me.
And agreed, the 928 was a pretty fugly execution of the design. Might even say the worst.
Favorite popup cars:
Countach
Testarossa
944
NSX has some pretty wicked looking popups
the mechanism on the C5 was cool
I had a Prelude with pop up headlights. I thought it was cool but I also thought too many car makers started doing it. I was kind of over it by the time they all stopped. And I really didn't think it fit the 4 door Accord all that well. Pop up headlights seems more appropriate for sports cars, not sedans (I thought the hatchback looked good with them though).
I grew up during the times when the headlights were really popular... that probably explains why I like them so much. I still remember to this day, two distinct events regarding pop-up headlights. Couldn't have been older than 7.
Liquor store by my old house... my dad was getting lotto tickets and smokes, as I walked in a red C2 Corvette pulled up, and I saw the lights hideaway. Badass.
Not the coolest car, but my sister once got a grey early 90's Celica... the last generation of them with flip up lights. When she pulled up into the driveway and I saw them hide away, I approved!
I had a 3G prelude and loved my pop ups. Also had a 89 Accord with pop ups.
Never had issues in the iced over winters...but you did have manual releases...or, if I thought it might get to cold/icy I would just leave them flipped up.
Overall...weather I like flip up/hideaways really just depends on the design. When you are younger they are more of a cool gimmick then anything.
That said you'll never see flip ups on a modern mass produced car again because of pedestrian safety.
Originally Posted by NBP04TL4ME
Not a fan of the pop up headlights, but surprised no one has mentioned late 80's Accords.
Pop-up headlights are another thing to break, sure….but so are all the other unnecessary features they are putting on cars nowadays. I’d trade lane change warning, park assist, auto-cruise control, TPMS, etc etc for something cool like pop-up headlights any day.
I personally would love to see t-tops again on Camaros, etc.
You can dream, but with the exception of Park Assist the rest are safety features which aren't going to be swapped out for pop-up headlights, which as pointed out, are more dangerous to/for pedestrians.
It is certainly a dream, you are right that cars will never revert to old ways (apart from perhaps some retro-styling from various manufacturers). That is just my own personal preference, I would rather have something like pop-ups than all these “driver aids” which are also another thing that can break (and are more complicated). But I’m a purist, most drivers on the road aren’t. To many people, cars are appliances. In my opinion most of these new driver aids are only making people dumber and less aware (save for TPMS which actually is a decent idea), not to mention driving up the cost of cars. The next mandated safety feature is backup cameras I believe.
To me it doesn’t really make sense to pick on something like pop-up headlights, but then have F-150’s, Silverado’s, etc that are absolutely gargantuan. No one has a chance if they get hit by a truck at speed with those front ends. Anyway you are right cars are designed for pedestrian safety, but to me that is unfortunate. Things like that are what make so many cars so boring and similar nowadays…EPA, NHTSA, etc regulations. Which aren’t as strict in other countries by the way, and why the US gets so many watered down versions of various cars sold globally.
I hear you. My grandfather was a NYC bus mechanic for years and he more or less said they same thing as you. "The more gadget and stuff they put in these cars the more that can go wrong with them." My parents bought a brand new 1970 Plymouth station wagon and my grandfather cursed the fact that you had to wear seatbelts in the front otherwise the buzzer would stay on and on and on........
10-10-2014, 10:45 PM
like some baby cockroach.
