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They went out of style in a hurry, add to it the massive steps taken in automotive lighting technology as well and I think you'll find it unlikely that that style will return.
Lights can be so seamlessly integrated into the shape of the car at this point, that there's no real need for flip-ups as you can have just as sleek a car without it.
They went out of style in a hurry, add to it the massive steps taken in automotive lighting technology as well and I think you'll find it unlikely that that style will return.
Lights can be so seamlessly integrated into the shape of the car at this point, that there's no real need for flip-ups as you can have just as sleek a car without it.
Yeah, and those damn flip up covers are serious pain in the butt to keep working after a short while. Had'em don't never want'em again!
They went out of style as headlights went from those huge, sealed beam bulbs, to replacable bulb inserts allowing the headlight square or round "globes" to be designed into the body (as on every modern car).
We won't see flip up headlights again.
The next major styling change will occur as LED headlights become practical for production applications.
They went out of style as headlights went from those huge, sealed beam bulbs, to replacable bulb inserts allowing the headlight square or round "globes" to be designed into the body (as on every modern car).
We won't see flip up headlights again.
The next major styling change will occur as LED headlights become practical for production applications.
We have to remember that for a long time in the US, sealed beam headlights were the only kind allowed. If you are my age, you remember when headlights were always round. Then they allowed rectangular sealed beams (and a few US brands had the hideous double stacked ones). Automakers often used hidden headlamps to improve looks and aerodynamics whenever headlights weren't required.
In my opinion, they became reliable once the automakers started using electric mechanisms instead engine vacuum. They have never failed to work on my 1981 RX7 nor our 1990 Miata. I have had more trouble with cars power windows than retractable headlights. Maybe some euro cars still had problems for the usual reasons they have problems with electrical systems.
Once the requirement for sealed beams went away, automakers could use halogen bulbs in a reflector and there was no advantage to retractable lamps. You could easily put headlights in a streamlined front end, even with an aero cover ala 240z aftermarket parts.
Wish they could make headlight lenses that don't deteriorate in the sun every 5 years or so. We don't have covered parking so our cars are always in the sun. My wife's car is a 2007 and her lenses are starting to frost over. I know the kits get it clear again but the lense still has a reduction in light output until the lense is replaced. The cost of replacing is sometimes insane. My Malibu was $250 for two lenses and new light bulbs. Another car was over $300 per lense.
The ones on my 79 Thunderbird and 79 Lincoln as well as my 76 Grand Marquis still work great. They are vacuum operated! They will stay closed for 4 days at a time. And pop up quickly when the lights are turned on.
When I bought my '71 Dodge Charger SE, the first thing that I did after getting it home was to disconnect the electrical connection for the motor that closed the headlight doors. That way, the headlight doors stayed open all the time.
While I really liked that car, I thought that those hidden headlights were a really ridiculous feature--right up there with the hidden windshield wipers. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
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) and just seem.....futuristic.
Yup
