Have You Ever Come Across Pop-DOWN Headlights? | Carscoops

      Numerous vehicles were created with pop-up headlights, but Buick's second-generation Riviera took a different approach.

      A video showcasing a classic Buick Riviera illustrates that hidden headlights can take many forms.

      On the second-generation Riviera, the powered lights retract from above the grille area.

      Although hideaway headlights were first introduced in the 1930s, their peak popularity occurred from the late 1960s to the early 1990s.

      Headlights serve as essential components of a vehicle, similar to brakes, but they also play a crucial role in a car's design. This is especially true today, thanks to advancements in LED technology, as well as during the 1960s when designers embraced the trend of hidden headlights.

      When we think about hideaway headlights, most people likely envision the pop-up style, which enjoyed the longest lifespan. The trend began with the Lotus Elan in 1962 (although manually adjustable hidden headlights trace back to the Cord 810 of the 1930s), and the C5 Chevrolet Corvette continued using them until 2004.

      Introducing the Overlooked Pop-Down Headlights

      However, let's shift focus for a moment. What about pop-down headlights, or perhaps they should be referred to as drop-down headlights? An Instagram video from @automospeedcrew demonstrates how the headlights on Buick’s second-generation (1966-70) Riviera fold up to face the underside of the hood when not in use, and lower down through 90 degrees to illuminate the road when activated.

      That's how it’s intended to function, at least. As with many early hidden headlight systems, the Riviera utilizes vacuum-operated mechanisms. Unfortunately, vacuum systems were not known for their reliability. Issues such as leaky hoses or worn components often left these headlights permanently “hidden,” regardless of the need to see the road.

      A Gallery of Hidden Headlights

      The earlier and more elegant Bill Mitchell-designed original Riviera also featured hidden headlights after a mid-life update in 1965, but in that version, the lights remained stationary, and vacuum pressure was used to move parts of the grille to conceal and reveal them. Numerous other American vehicles from the 1960s, including the 1967-67 Cadillac Eldorado, 1966-72 Dodge Charger, 1968-69 Pontiac GTO, and 1967-70 Mercury Cougar employed the same method.

      More: You’re Familiar with Pop-Up Headlights, But Take a Look at This ’60s Corvette Concept with Pop-Up Taillights

      Concealing the headlights allowed designers greater flexibility in achieving their desired aesthetic, and in some instances (though not for the blocky cars from Detroit), improved aerodynamics at a time when U.S. safety regulations prohibited headlight covers allowed in Europe, mandating that all cars use round, sealed-beam lights.

      What’s Your Go-To Hidden Headlight Design?

      So, what’s your opinion on hidden headlights? Do you have a favorite design? Can you recall any other vehicle that featured a pop-down system like the Riviera’s? Share your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, check out the Instagram video from @automospeedcrew to see those pop-down headlights in action (on a good day).