Pop-up headlights defined an era of automotive design, adding a touch of drama and style that made cars look more futuristic and aggressive. While they were eventually phased out due to safety regulations and aerodynamics, these hidden headlights remain an iconic feature of some of the most legendary cars ever made. From sleek Italian exotics to American muscle and quirky sports cars, here’s a look at some of the greatest machines ever to sport pop-up headlights.
Maserati Ghibli (1966)
Launched in the same year as the Lamborghini Miura, the Ghibli set the stage for a series of Maseratis featuring pop-up headlights. Designed by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro at Ghia, it came in both coupé and spyder versions, powered by a choice of a 4.7 or 4.9-liter V8. The Ghibli’s sleek, aggressive styling made it an instant icon, followed by models like the Bora, Merak, Khamsin, and Indy.
Chevrolet Corvette C3 (1968)
Among the many Corvette generations, the C3 stands out for its dramatic design. With a striking V-shaped nose, pronounced wing tops, and hidden headlights, it remains one of the most recognizable Corvettes ever made. Its long production run saw an incredible 21 different V8 engine options, cementing its legacy as a true American classic.
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (1968)
Ferrari may not always be the first to adopt trends, but when it introduced pop-up headlights with the Daytona, it set a benchmark. Almost every Ferrari that followed, apart from the Dino 206 and 246, embraced the feature until the arrival of the 550M in 1996. The Daytona remains one of the most celebrated front-engined Ferraris of all time.
De Tomaso Pantera (1971)
A blend of Italian styling and American muscle, the Pantera was designed by Tom Tjaarda and powered by a Ford-sourced pushrod V8. With more than 7,000 units built between 1971 and 1992, it became De Tomaso’s most successful model. The combination of exotic looks, accessible performance, and relatively low maintenance made it an enthusiast favorite.
Bitter CD (1973)
The Bitter CD first appeared as a prototype in 1969 and made its production debut at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show. Despite its stunning design and luxury appeal, the use of a Chevrolet 5.4-liter V8 worked against it as the oil crisis hit. Nevertheless, Bitter managed to sell 395 units before production ceased in 1979.
Lamborghini Countach (1974)
If the Miura was a rolling work of art, the Countach was a sharp-edged spaceship. Its pop-up headlights enhanced the brutal, wedge-shaped design, making it one of the most visually arresting supercars ever. The Diablo that followed initially kept the feature before switching to fixed lights for improved aerodynamics.
Porsche 924 (1975)
Porsche’s first foray into pop-up headlights began with the 914 in 1969, but the 924 took things further. Conceived as a joint Volkswagen-Porsche project, VW backed out at the last moment, leaving Porsche to go solo. Despite this, the 924 remained in production for years, though it never reached the 914’s sales success.
Lotus Esprit (1976)
One of the most sharply styled sports cars of its era, the Esprit was another Giorgetto Giugiaro masterpiece. The pop-up headlights remained a signature feature through its various updates, even as Peter Stevens later refined the design. While later models introduced a V8 option, the early Esprits stayed true to their lightweight, four-cylinder roots.
Mazda RX-7 (1978)
The RX-7’s rotary engine allowed for an ultra-low hoodline, making pop-up headlights a natural design choice. Across three generations, the RX-7 became a cult favorite, thanks to its lightweight construction, nimble handling, and unique engine characteristics. While over 470,000 first-generation RX-7s were built, their numbers have dwindled due to fragile engines and corrosion issues.
Aston Martin Bulldog (1980)
Rather than conventional pop-up lights, the Bulldog used a panel that dropped down to reveal a row of five headlights. Designed by William Towns, the Bulldog was envisioned as the fastest car in the world. Only one was ever built, and after years in obscurity, it is currently undergoing restoration.
Toyota Supra (1981)
The second-generation Supra introduced pop-up headlights, transforming it from a Celica derivative into a standalone grand tourer. Powered by a range of straight-six engines, it blended performance with refinement. Whether equipped with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, the Supra quickly became a favorite among enthusiasts.
Pontiac Fiero (1983)
America’s first mass-produced mid-engined sports car, the Fiero, arrived just before the Toyota MR2. While early models suffered from reliability issues, the car still gained a loyal following. With more than 370,000 built over five years, it remains a significant chapter in Pontiac’s history.
Venturi Atlantique (1986)
Born from the French company MVS, the Venturi 260 debuted in 1986 with a turbocharged V6 and pop-up headlights. The facelifted 1994 Atlantique 300 further refined the formula with a larger 3.0-liter V6. Though rare, Venturis have a strong following among collectors today.
Buick Reatta (1988)
Buick had high hopes for the Reatta, a stylish two-seater designed to sell 20,000 units per year. Reality proved different, and after three years, production ended with only 21,000 built. Offered in both coupé and convertible forms, it featured a 3.8-liter V6 and front-wheel drive.
Ford Probe (1988)
Initially intended as a Mustang replacement, the Probe became a sleek coupé in its own right. Featuring a mix of four-cylinder and V6 options, it shared underpinnings with the Mazda MX-6. The 1992 redesign kept the pop-up headlights, subtly refining the original’s winning formula.
BMW 8 Series (1989)
BMW’s E31 8 Series combined luxury, performance, and striking design. Available with V8 and V12 engines, it was only the second BMW after the M1 to feature pop-up headlights. Despite a nearly decade-long production run, just over 30,000 were sold, making it a rare and desirable grand tourer.
Vector W8 (1989)
Few cars have a backstory as wild as the Vector W8. The brainchild of Gerry Wiegert, Vector’s first production model took over a decade to materialize. With a spaceship-like design and aerospace-inspired interior, the W8 remains a symbol of unfulfilled ambition, with only around 14 units built.
Honda NSX (1990)
The NSX redefined supercars by proving they could be reliable and user-friendly without losing their edge. Powered by a mid-mounted V6, it introduced lightweight aluminum construction and sublime handling. Later models transitioned to fixed headlights, but the early pop-up-equipped NSX remains a legend.
Cizeta V16T (1991)
With a transversely mounted V16—essentially two V8s combined—the Cizeta V16T was an outrageous concept turned reality. Its stacked pop-up headlights added to its unique appeal, but its astronomical cost and limited production meant only a handful were ever built.
