The first car model retractable headlights appeared in 1936. It was Cord-810 - american car, released by the company of the same name. Closer to 1970s vehicles with retractable headlights have become quite common. And they managed to exist for a long time - until 2004. Although popularity and consumer demand for them began to fall somewhat earlier, closer to the mid-1990s. It was then that the latest model with hidden optics was released.
Today, such a spectacular detail of the exterior of the car is prohibited by law. This rule is regulated by modern pedestrian safety standards - the front of the car should not have protruding elements so as not to injure a person more in the event of an accident.
Pros and cons of retractable headlights
This design was used mainly in the production of sports cars or convertibles, but it can also be seen in other body types, but much less frequently. These are sedans and hatchbacks of Aston-Martin, Volvo, Honda and Mazda brands. Retractable headlights at one time made a splash in the automotive industry. There were few cars with folding optics, and, of course, everyone dreamed of becoming the owner of such a "crumb". However last car with this design was released in 1995, after which the "sleeping eyes" never opened again.
These cars look futuristic. Even now, looking at the photo, you can appreciate all their singularity. They stood out from the stream. But folding headlights did not last long. Obviously, the reason for this was the unreliability of the design. Electric and pneumatic mechanisms regularly failed. In addition, they cost much more than traditional optics. Cars with retractable headlights were not only beautiful - thanks to this feature, the optics were always protected from aggressive influences. environment.
Mazda RX-7, MX-5, 323 F
The Japanese automaker has applied the design to several models. Mazda RX-7 received retractable optics in 1978. Since the model was completed rotary piston engine Wankel, which did not take up much space, there were no technical difficulties with equipping a car with such a design. Three generations of the RX-7 were produced with retractable optics.
The car with retractable headlights Mazda MX-5 actually became the prototype of Lotus Elan - it was equipped with mechanical front optics. And the 323 F is one of the sports cars model range Mazda, which was equipped with a similar design in 1989.
Another Japanese brand, for which retractable optics has become a significant event. The design was applied to the first sports model"Nissan", which appeared on automotive market in 1983. No wonder the 300 ZX was named the most successful machine Nissan brand of all available.
BMW M1 and 8 series
As mentioned earlier, almost all sports cars produced in the 1970s were equipped with a retractable headlight mechanism. They were also very similar to each other in that they had a wedge-shaped body. The BMW M1 is no exception to this rule. But it is fair to say that this design looked better on the G8. It was released a little later, in 1989. In the BMW 8 Series, retractable optics looked more stylish. Probably, this was facilitated by the soft lines of the model, smooth transitions from one detail to another. However, not all owners liked this car with retractable headlights, because the design had a significant disadvantage: after turning off the optics, some time had to pass for the “eyes” to close.
Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray and C5
The second-generation Corvette is the first Chevrolet model to be equipped with retractable optics. But it looked unaesthetic because of the sharp front part: too aggressive, pretentious. Whether it's the fifth generation of the model. On Chevrolet Corvette C5 retractable front optics formed neat cute eyes. However, the company still decided to abandon this idea in the future. The fifth generation Corvette has become latest model Chevrolet, which had this option.
Toyota Celica, Supra, MR2
Many models of this brand, produced between 1983 and 1994, were equipped with retractable headlights. The Celica car was one of the first to get hidden optics. It is impossible not to mention her "big brother" - Supra. On this model, retractable optics looked even more attractive. They were produced between 1986 and 1992. The design looked just as interesting on the MR2 model, which lasted from 1984 to 1999.
To many, this model will seem strange and scary. But in my Volvo time 480 was considered "extravagant". IN this case the manufacturer was not chasing fashion. The retractable optics were made to meet American standards regarding the height of the beams of light above the road.
"Pangolin"
domestic auto industry never engaged in the production of cars with retractable optics. But the designers succeeded in this homemade cars. There are a lot of interesting specimens, for example, what is only one “Laura” worth. But today all the attention is on the Pangolin models. It was collected in 1980 in Ukhta. Her "father" is Alexander Kulygin, a graduate engineer and electrician by vocation.
Stickers with this car often came across in the favorite chewing gum "Turbo", which were sold in stores at a price of 50 kopecks. The Ford with retractable headlights is a typical American sports car. The car was produced between 1988 and 1997.
And what will the owners of cars with retractable headlights say?
Now, if you meet such cars on the road, it will be an event of a lifetime. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, cars with a retractable optics design were produced until 1995. In 2004, they were completely banned in order to improve pedestrian safety.
In some sources, one can come across the assertion that it is not advisable to use “sleeping” optics in a car configuration, since it is expensive, breaks often, freezes and does not open in the cold, and wiring is often damaged due to location in the wrong place. But many car owners disagree with this statement. They believe that the retractable design has a number of advantages over modern optics. For example, headlights are protected from the negative effects of the environment, and modern plastic ones are constantly breaking. But even here there is a nuance - today, even during the day, the driver is obliged to drive with the light. Therefore, the "eyes" will be open anyway.
As for the machines themselves, it is important to understand that their specifications largely inferior modern cars. First weaker than the second in all respects, even if it is a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin.
Today, only collectors have such cars. In Russia, it is not possible to find and purchase a car with hidden headlights. However, they are still sold in some countries, such as the United States. But before buying, you should think carefully about whether it is worth investing in such a machine. Since retractable optics are today called traumatic, it is undesirable to appear on the roads in such a car.
Acura NSX. Retractable headlights are not the best solution in terms of aerodynamics, but from the point of view of design they are the most. This car looks equally elegant with the headlights down and up.
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. The headlights on this model could be called plain, but they, like the car as a whole, downright exude style. More sophisticated headlights would simply be redundant, detracting from the delightful design of the body.
Audi R8. R8 was not the first Audi model equipped with daytime running lights, but has become one of the most recognizable. These days, even crossovers and sedans wear them, but we must not forget which car gave rise to the trend.
bmw 5. If Audi did daytime running lights a feature in the mid-2000s, BMW had created its own hallmark a few years earlier - "angel eyes". The E39 model underwent a restyling in 2001, receiving headlights with well-recognized "halos".
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The model's shape, window shape, and other design elements - including hidden headlights - became a Corvette signature for many years, until 2005.
Citroen DS. Many features of the Citroen DS were snapped up with a bang by the models that followed it - front-wheel drive, multi-disc brakes and shock-absorbing suspension. But most of all, the attention is drawn to the double headlights, which create an unforgettable image of the car.
Pontiac GT. It was this model that started the trend of American "muscle cars". Double vertical headlights became Pontiac's trademark, looking incredibly cool.
Porsche 718. Daytime running lights gone long haul, if you take a report from the "angel eyes" BMW. One of the latest contributions to the cause was made by Porsche with its 718, equipped with stylish headlights with a shining sea of daytime running lights.
Tucker 48. Once upon a time, car headlights were nothing more than lamps that light up the road at night, and not a cool design element. Preston Tucker wanted to make his car as safe as possible and added a third headlight to make cornering light easier. But it turned out that it was she who became the main hallmark in Tucker 48 design.
Volvo XC90. Volvo has done a great job redesigning the XC90 and the upcoming S90. Both cars are equipped with Thor's Hammer headlights, which look as cool as the name sounds.
Rising car lights gained popularity due to American standards, and many years later went down in history due to new requirements for automotive safety.
It is believed that for the first time hidden headlights were used on cars. Alfa Romeo 8C 2900A Pininfarina Berlinetta and Cord 810 both appeared in 1936. Later, such a solution could be found on several more production models and concept cars, but opening headlights began to gain popularity in the late sixties.
The automotive lighting standards in force at that time in the United States set minimum height headlights above road level and forbade the use of aerodynamically shaped tilted headlights. Because of this, sports coupes and other cars with a low hood were equipped with pop-up headlights of various designs. Variety of solutions applied by different manufacturers can be seen in the video below.
It is noteworthy that some american models(Buick Riviera, Dodge Charger, chevrolet camaro) hidden headlights did not appear due to strict standards. These cars received a spectacular wide grille across the entire width of the front end. The headlights hid behind it and appeared, if necessary, in opening niches.
Later American legislation allowed the use of aerodynamically shaped headlights, and new international standards required the removal of any protruding elements from the hood of cars - in order to improve safety to protect pedestrians in the event of a collision. Thus ended the era of rising headlights. The latest models with them, and
The first car model with retractable headlights appeared in 1936. It was Cord-810 - an American car produced by the company of the same name. Closer to the 1970s, vehicles with retractable headlights became fairly common. And they managed to exist for a long time - until 2004. Although popularity and consumer demand for them began to fall somewhat earlier, closer to the mid-1990s. It was then that the latest model with hidden optics was released.
Today, such a spectacular detail of the exterior of the car is prohibited by law. This rule is regulated by modern pedestrian safety standards - the front of the car should not have protruding elements so as not to injure a person more in the event of an accident.
Pros and cons of retractable headlights
This design was used mainly in the production of sports cars or convertibles, but it can also be seen in other body types, but much less frequently. These are sedans and hatchbacks of Aston-Martin, Volvo, Honda and Mazda brands. Retractable headlights at one time made a splash in the automotive industry. There were few cars with folding optics, and, of course, everyone dreamed of becoming the owner of such a "crumb". However, the last car with this design was released in 1995, after which the “sleeping eyes” never opened again.
These cars look futuristic. Even now, looking at the photo, you can appreciate all their singularity. They stood out from the stream. But folding headlights did not last long. Obviously, the reason for this was the unreliability of the design. Electric and pneumatic mechanisms regularly failed. In addition, they cost much more than traditional optics. Cars with retractable headlights were not only beautiful - thanks to this feature, the optics were always protected from aggressive environmental influences.
Mazda RX-7, MX-5, 323 F
The Japanese automaker has applied the design to several models. Mazda RX-7 received retractable optics in 1978. Since the model was equipped with a Wankel rotary piston engine, which did not take up much space, there were no technical difficulties with equipping a car with such a design. Three generations of the RX-7 were produced with retractable optics.
The car with retractable headlights Mazda MX-5 actually became the prototype of Lotus Elan - it was equipped with mechanical front optics. And the 323 F is one of the sports cars of the Mazda range, which was equipped with a similar design in 1989.
Another Japanese brand for which retractable optics has become a significant event. The design was applied to Nissan's first sports model, which hit the automotive market in 1983. Not surprisingly, the 300 ZX has been named Nissan's most successful car ever.
BMW M1 and 8 series
As mentioned earlier, almost all sports cars produced in the 1970s were equipped with a retractable headlight mechanism. They were also very similar to each other in that they had a wedge-shaped body. The BMW M1 is no exception to this rule. But it is fair to say that this design looked better on the G8. It was released a little later, in 1989. In the BMW 8 Series, retractable optics looked more stylish. Probably, this was facilitated by the soft lines of the model, smooth transitions from one detail to another. However, not all owners liked this car with retractable headlights, because the design had a significant disadvantage: after turning off the optics, some time had to pass for the “eyes” to close.
Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray and C5
The second generation Corvette is the first Chevrolet model to be equipped with retractable optics. But it looked unaesthetic because of the sharp front part: too aggressive, pretentious. Whether it's the fifth generation of the model. On the Chevrolet Corvette C5, the retractable front optics formed neat cute eyes. However, the company still decided to abandon this idea in the future. The fifth generation Corvette was the last Chevrolet to have this option.
Toyota Celica, Supra, MR2
Many models of this brand, produced between 1983 and 1994, were equipped with retractable headlights. The Celica car was one of the first to get hidden optics. It is impossible not to mention her "big brother" - Supra. On this model, retractable optics looked even more attractive. They were produced between 1986 and 1992. The design looked just as interesting on the MR2 model, which lasted from 1984 to 1999.
To many, this model will seem strange and scary. But at one time, the Volvo 480 was considered "extravagant". In this case, the manufacturer was not chasing fashion. The retractable optics were made to meet American standards regarding the height of the beams of light above the road.
"Pangolin"
The domestic auto industry has never been engaged in the production of cars with retractable optics. But the designers of home-made machines succeeded in this. There are a lot of interesting specimens, for example, what is only one “Laura” worth. But today all the attention is on the Pangolin models. It was collected in 1980 in Ukhta. Her "father" is Alexander Kulygin, a graduate engineer and electrician by vocation.
Stickers with this car often came across in the favorite chewing gum "Turbo", which were sold in stores at a price of 50 kopecks. The Ford with retractable headlights is a typical American sports car. The car was produced between 1988 and 1997.
And what will the owners of cars with retractable headlights say?
Now, if you meet such cars on the road, it will be an event of a lifetime. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, cars with a retractable optics design were produced until 1995. In 2004, they were completely banned in order to improve pedestrian safety.
In some sources, one can come across the assertion that it is not advisable to use “sleeping” optics in a car configuration, since it is expensive, breaks often, freezes and does not open in the cold, and wiring is often damaged due to location in the wrong place. But many car owners disagree with this statement. They believe that the retractable design has a number of advantages over modern optics. For example, headlights are protected from the negative effects of the environment, and modern plastic ones are constantly breaking. But even here there is a nuance - today, even during the day, the driver is obliged to drive with the light. Therefore, the "eyes" will be open anyway.
As for the cars themselves, it is important to understand that their technical characteristics are largely inferior to modern cars. The first is weaker than the second in all respects, even if it is a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin.
Today, only collectors have such cars. In Russia, it is not possible to find and purchase a car with hidden headlights. However, they are still sold in some countries, such as the United States. But before buying, you should think carefully about whether it is worth investing in such a machine. Since retractable optics are today called traumatic, it is undesirable to appear on the roads in such a car.
In 1989, the production of a unique coupe from BMW, the 8 series in the E31 body, began. BMW did not call the novelty the 6th, because. in fact, they had different philosophies. The 6 E24 was structurally based on the 5 E28, and the 8 was already on the 7 series in the back of the E32. More attention was paid to comfort rather than sportiness.
At the time of entering the market, the BMW 8 series E31 became one of the most technologically advanced cars, almost all the technical achievements of that time were installed in it.
Starting from traction control and thruster rear suspension and ending with "smart automatic transmission gear."
The BMW 8 Series was one of the first cars with adjustable stiffness suspension, it had two modes.
The exterior of the BMW 8 series E31 stood out very much from the model BMW series those years, which were only worth retractable headlights, a sharp nose, a side line similar to the contours of yachts. She demonstrated her luxury with all her appearance. Salon, built around the driver, the center console is turned, the central tunnel is high, deep comfortable seats. There are even small rear seats, an adult on the second row will not be very comfortable, but the children will fit perfectly there.
The designers tried to make it so that it would be as comfortable as possible to overcome long distances. This was facilitated by a chic interior, excellent handling, large and powerful power units.
In 1992, the 850 CSi modification was released and it differed not only in its configuration, but also in the engine, here it was. You can call the 850CSi M8, but still it was not M. The real M8 was developed, but they did not dare to release it, for the usual 8-ku, the demand was not very high due to the high price, and there could simply not be buyers for the overpriced M8. But if she had been released, the body would have been changed, the engine had been boosted, she would have become a real hypercar and would have become a dream for many BMW fans around the world, but alas ... The engine from her was installed in the legendary Maclaren F1.
In 1993, to reduce the cost, an 840Ci with 8 cylinder engine 286 hp In 1995, it was replaced by a more advanced M62 of 4.4 liters, but the power remained at the same level and amounted to 286 hp.
Gearboxes were both mechanical and automatic. Few people ordered mechanics, p.e. now they are rarer.
In 1999, the model was discontinued, and so far the second generation of the 8 has not appeared.
Currently 8 episodes good condition they don't come up for sale very often. This is due both to the high cost of restoring the 8-ki, and with the love of all collective farmers to tune it. Starting from altering the interior and ending with ridiculous body kits on the body. To all this, you can add not a rare repair.
After more than 20 years, we can say that the car turned out to be very reliable, the body is protected from corrosion on high level. Power units were large and large stock strength, they can only be killed if used improperly. Gearboxes do not require special attention. Suspension is generally quite reliable, although the v12 models wear it out faster than the v8 due to the extra weight. Electronics, even after many years, does not cause trouble, although if water gets on the contacts, they will certainly oxidize. And do not forget about fuel consumption, it is unlikely to fall below 13 liters per hundred.
