The 1936 and 1937 Cord 810 and 812 had hidden headlights that popped up out of the fenders and were merely sleek doors when not deployed. I wonder if this is the earliest use of hidden headlights or if a European car used them even earlier. But for the mid 1930's, it was a very advanced design. Not to mention the Cord 810 and 812 were also front wheel drive in the 1930's. They also had the pre-select transmission without the traditional stick shift of the time. E. L. Cord was very innovative.
Deployment of the lights had to be done individually by hand crank. One on the left and one on the right side of the interior. Tough to do with out a passenger!
@@mcsg_pelecan You're absolutely correct, however, deploying the lights only rotated them into position, it didn't actually turn the lights on. They could be turned off and in independently of being deployed, where in the more modern vehicles the headlight switch not only opens/deploys the lights, it also turns them on and off. So in the Cord you can deploy the lights before getting underway and then turn them on when needed. Still incredibly innovative considering it was 1936 and 1937.
I totally agree, it should have been somewhere on this list just because it was basically the first. My uncle had an 810 sedan, but I never got to drive it... At least I got to drive the '31 Auburn boattail speedster once!
I remember making my father take me at seven years of age to see the new 1963 Chevrolet models. I instantly spotted a Corvette and told Dad they couldn’t sell that car because it didn’t have headlights. Dad had a friend from Army Reserves who was a salesman at the dealership (Dad always bought his cars from Bob). He got Bob’s attention and had me tell Bob how they couldn’t sell that car. “Wait right here” and he went and got the key, turned on the headlights so I could see them rotate. I was astounded, Dad and Bob got a big kick out of it, and I fell in love with Corvettes and hidden headlights.
When I was a kid I had a Riviera Model, I thought they were real cool looking, then I saw the car for real, it looked like a overweight blooded Thunderbird. @@filipfaraci2751
I agree that the '65 Riviera belongs at the top of the list. What's also amazing about the '65 Riv is that if you were to remove the clamshells covering the headlights, the stacked headlights give it a distinct '63-'66 Pontiac look. A very clever way to distinguish the two makes.
Those stacked headlights also remind me of the 1965 Cadillac I drove during college. Never should have sold that car (nor the 1988 Honda Prelude Si, either).🤔
Adam another one definitely worth mentioning that looked "finished" either Open or closed was the 1966-67 Dodge Charger. The actual headlight assemblies did a 180 degree rotation to reveal themselves and when open you'd be hard pressed to even think that they're hide aways! Great job and I agree the 65 Riviera always was my favorite as far as Uniqueness of operation. I too thought the RS/SS Camaro Hidden light operation was very interesting folding inboard and around the side of the headlamps. Im a sucker for ANY car with hidden lights since I was a child. I made a point over the years to know each and every car made with them. how they worked, if vacuum, mechanical or electric etc
Another car that was missed and has one of the best hideaway Headlights is the 1969 -70 Cougar ! They are on of the few cars that light doors don't screw up. like the GM Cars.
My first car, which I bought at age 18 after graduating from high school, was a 1970 Dodge Charge R/T (in "Plum Crazy"!). The hidden headlights were not fancy but when closed provided a menacing look.
@@texanfournow the biggest problem with the GM cars is they can't get the Doors to open at night the Camaro was famous for that. i got pulled over with a 1967 the night i bought the Car because i only had one headlight. I was driving around town, there was enough light that I didn't realize one Headlight door as not open.
My first Car in 1978 was a 66 Charger. I loved the headlights they were super heavy as the motor was built into the Light bucket. when they rolled open you would hear a satisfying Klunk,Klunk as they locked into place. and when closed the Grill was pretty awesome looking it looked like a huge electric razor!
1966-1967 Dodge Charger... could easily trump one of those foreign jobs! The 1st gen Charger has a rotating drum with the lights on one side, and nothing on the other. And, there is a switch on the dash that allows you to expose the lights without the bulbs being on. With the lights exposed, one would not realize at first that they are made to be hidden. The car looks handsome with the lights both hidden, and exposed.
@@mikeadcock1592 I have a 71 SE with hidden headlights (they pop open real fast with the electric motor) but I still prefer the look and smoothness of the 66-67.
I think the Porsche 928 designer got his inspiration for the car's headlights from the Lamborghini Miura. Surrounded by their stylish "eyelashes", that car's exposed headlights would lay flat when they were off and pop up when turned on, just like the 928. The Miura's headlight arrangement is one of the striking features on this incredibly dramatic and timeless design and deserve to be on the list.
I had a 928 for years; best car I ever owned. The 'stock' European 8" halogen bulbs with 80/100 watt bulbs, gave great lighting for high speed driving at night. IIRC they were made by Cibie or Marchal.
The Miura’s were prettier and more aerodynamic than the Porsche’s when in the up position because the reflectors were canted inside the housings so that they only needed to be raised only 60 degrees compared to 90 on most cars. When up they were still kinda laying flat. Interestingly they were pre-existing Fiat headlights disguised by those iconic eyelashes. In typical German fashion the Porsche’s headlights illuminated the road better but the Miura’s were much nicer stylistically.
@@stuffhappens5681 I had the identical though during the video. Whereas in the Fiat 850 Spider the headlight assemblies were fixed in position, as used in the Miura, they were leaned back some degrees and rose to vertical when illuminated. The fixed, black metal "eye-lashes" above and below were intended to ameliorate the visual abruptness in the daytime. These vere later deleted in the SV version, much to my dismay! Bertone built a one-off Spider show-car with a removeable-top in a bright-blue metal-flake finish with all the originally black details now finished in a highly polished "white-metal" (silver) color. Truly spectacular!
I knew from the get-go that the '65 Riviera would take the crown. Last weekend I watched Road House (1989) for the umpteenth time. At the used-car lot, Dalton asks the salesman, "Do they work?" Salesman walks over, demonstrates that they do, indeed, work. LOVE that clamshell effect. Another winner video!
I love hidden headlights. I agree with your number one choice, as the '65 Riviera is magnificent. I also love the "Remington Shaver" hidden headlights of the first generation Mercury Cougar and that would be my number 2 choice. Fun episode!.
you forgot the father of all hidden headlights....the 37 cord. Also, I had a 87sunbird turbo GT in black and silver. Ti was actually a nice car. I could beat my brother with his SVO mustang up to 60 mph...at which point the SVO left me in the dust!
I’ve owned two cars with hidden headlights, both Ford Motor Co. A ‘67 Mercury Cougar XR7 and a ‘79 Thunderbird. Both were vacuum operated which meant they often would open on their own if the car sat for a couple of days due to loss of pressure. They also tended operate in an unsynchronized fashion over time.
The '67 Mercury Cougar is in my top ten cars that I love. The styling and the luxury options that you could get on that only is breath taking. Tilt away wheel for one! No car comes close to it for the niche it had to it's self.
Yup. And if you were driving into a garage or tunnel, the opened gradually. My '77 Chrysler New Yorker had electric doors that opened and closed quickly in a flick.
I most definitely agree with your #1 selection. I love the first generation Rivieras the most of all the Rivieras, and the 65 is my favorite of the first gen because of its hidden headlights. I think the 65 looks SO clean. Lovely.
Great subject, Adam. The Jaguar XJ220 has really well fitting headlight covers that are flush with the sloped, contoured hood. The covers have a trick motion of folding under to expose the fixed headlights below.
Had a 72 Fury Gran coupe ( hidden Headlights ) but also owned a 1970 Imperial LeBaron. Massive, strong Bumpers and yes, hidden headlights.@@OnkelPHMagee
I love it when you feature styling cues and designs!! However, you left out a car with the most beautifully executed hidden headlights. 1966-67 Dodge Charger. The entire headlight bucket Revolves and And as finished as it is with the headlights off, it's just as beautiful when the headlights are exposed because it's finished with the chrome grill bars
I think a better choice than the C4 Corvette would have been the C2. Those lights are iconic and seem to have kicked off the whole trend. They're certainly the ones I remember the most fondly. That whole car - from the flip-over lights to the boattail rear glass and the "fender fins" - must have looked like a spaceship to the conservative American car buyer..... and made every 10-year-old boy salivate.
Idk the c2 light opp. Was pretty cut and dry pop up/go down and there were plenty of cars with hidden headlights b4 it so I dont think it started a trend, now the c4 headlights are iconic imo that operation never gets old to watch.
@@bbb462cid First doesn't mean best. The C2 lights were edgy, sure, but the C4 headlights have a distinctive action that fascinates and a clean look that shamed mere pop-ups.
Thanks so much, Adam, for this episode! Hidden headlights were such a big thing in my early life. My mom bought a new 65 Riviera, and it was the hit of the neighborhood with those clamshell headlights! Unfortunately the car was an amazing lemon, and they finally traded it for a 69 Riviera GS, which would later become my first car. Also had hidden headlights. Dad had a 67, and 71 Corvette that both had those features, and in college, I bought a Porsche 914....then a couple of 944s with hidden headlights. Mom had 2 Continental Mark IVs in 72 and 76 with them as well. I love this channel!!
That’s cool your family had many cars with hidden lights. I’ve always loved them I own a 66 Toronado , 67 Thunderbird cp , and 70 Mark lll all have hidden lights
Wow! I’d never noticed the 1965 riviera. This is the ONLY car I’m aware of the had hidden STACKED headlights. I ALWAYS learn something when I watch this channel.
I agree with the 65 Riviera in the top spot. They are a beautiful car with amazingly clean styling. I was also happy to see you recognize the Opel GT with its mechanical hidden headlights. It was another unique and fun design from the era. I missed seeing Ford products like the Cougars and Mercury Cyclones. The T-Birds from the late 60's were also unique cars. I suspect that they may not have been considered as their operation was probably fairly normal. Overall, a very fun and interesting video.
Oh man! Awesome job and great topic. Honorable mention: the menacing look of the '68-'70 Chargers. Oh, and since we're on Mopar, the '68-'70 Plymouth Fury III or Sport? On a side note; mentioning the Pontiac Sunfire...how about those wheels Pontiac put on that and the Grand Am?? I had an '89 Grand Am with those aluminum alloy wheels. Factory wheels could be a good show topic...
OH MY GOD, Adam, I never knew that Chevy had put such complex double-action doors on the Caprice... Way to go! 👍 (I also notice that you were very humble, and did not include our Lincoln and Marquis doors, which WERE obvious, but very stylishly decorated... 😉
Toronados in the 68-9 years could also raise their grills if the engine temps rose too high, allowing more cooling under extreme temperatures. With the headlights blocking a large portion of the opening behind the grill, this was also a unique solution to an airflow problem.
I'll mention this one because I owned one for a few years - the '84-'89 Nissan 300ZX. It used half-hidden pop-up rectangular lights, which was sort of a nod to the sugar-scoop headlights on the earlier Z's.
Of the cars you presented, I'd put the 67-68 Buick Riviera at the top of the list. Of course I'd have to include the Ford Probe because it was the first car I bought.
Great list! Totally agree with the 65 Riv taking the number 1 spot! Some honorable mentions....Mazda Miata, Pontiac Fiero and Dodge Daytona. Of these I've only owned a Daytona (well 2 of them). When it snowed/iced over....that's when you really needed to take care in making sure the headlights were clear of ice/snow before activating them.
Beginning in 1978 Chrysler made several cars with hidden headlights. The 1978-79 Magnum, the R-body New Yorker and Dodge St. Regis, and the Imperial by Chrysler. Later, in 1990 Chrysler brought back the Imperial on a version of their front-wheel drive chassis. I had a 1981 Imperial and it had been converted to a carburetor. Those headlights, when open, were so recessed they would pack with snow and you couldn't see anything. Later, I had a 1981 Ford Thunderbird that had hidden headlights. GREAT VIDEO!
Chrysler used them quite a bit. They were a mark of the Imperial/NYB on the 1974 C-body platform. Then they were used on the LeBaron coupe/conv. of 1987, the 198/7 Daytona, and the 1988 6-cyl New Yorker.
Adam, a great topic! Before I hit "play", I so sure you wouldn't mention the Porsche 928 because it didn't strictly fit the criteria, that I was mentally working through a rebuttal for my comment text. You hit my points ... I agree with your placement ... an extremely cool car by any measure. I was sad to see the 1967 Thunderbird missing, not that it had an innovative headlight reveal mechanism, but that it has a "bird eating a bird" appearance, during the daytime.
I love these kind of videos! For me I recall the late 80's Honda Accords, they were a nice elegant surprise at the time. Oh yes, and those 70's Lincolns and the '67 Cougar.
Thank you Adam, great topic for a video! Couldn't agree more with number 1, the 65 Rivvy may be the most beautiful car of the '60s. Was hoping you'd include the Impala/Caprice, but I had the mean looking 1969 model in mind, totally forgetting that it was an option in 1968 as well. Honorable mention to the Ford Torino and Dodge Charger (66-67) just because I like them.
Yes the ‘65 Riv is #1. I also agree on the Porsche 928!In the top 11-20 for consideration I would add the ‘63 Vette, the 82 Supra, ‘89 Miata, 66-70 Charger, ‘70 Chrysler 300, ‘67-70 Cougar, ‘37 Cord 812(the parent to all pop-up lights), ‘74-78 Ford LTD/ Mercury Marquis , ‘67 Gran PRIX and ‘77-80 TR7/TR8 (the shape of things to come! ).
Great list! I always thought the 2nd gen Mazda RX7 was somewhat unique with its little Flash-To-Pass windows which allowed the high beams to be flashed with the lights in their retracted position. the whole mechanism had to allow for the headlight to maintain its proper forward orientation while retracted for this feature to function.
1990+ Plymouth Laser, Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Eagle Talon also had the flash to pass window. Ok my '87 Dodge Daytona, you would pull the high beam lever back and hold it and lights would pop up and flash.
As expected, a well considered and apt list indeed. I would put the 67 Riv as #1, mainly because they look like standard headlights so much you can't tell they go hidden. Sweet. The 65 Riv is a solid #2. The rest tie for third. Never knew Caprice had a model year with hidden lights. Forgot to add - 96 Saturn SC!
Remembering a video in which you said the '68 Charger is your favorite muscle car, I am surprised its hidden headlights didn't make your list. I would include it in a top ten, but I agree with you about #1! I know you and many other folks are huge fans of the second generation Riviera, but in my eyes the first gen has it beat all around, including with those sexy side hidden headlights. What makes them so cool, which you didn't mention, is that the sides look just like a '64, which had no headlights behind them. In other words, they took an existing front end and added hidden headlights to it without changing the (lights off) front end appearance hardly at all. I don't know of any other car which has done that besides the '65 Riv!
Adding the "unique operation" parameter was a stroke of genius. I'm old enough to remember the introduction of these models (so I should be grateful you didn't include the Cord), and not only admiring the styling, but also the mechanicals. Wouldn't argue with your list, or order.
I always loved "hidden headlights" ! It really wasn't something new, but it caught on again in the 60's and 70's. NO ONE liked it when only one side would either open, or close ! You would always see one on the road. The vacuum mechanism wouldn't always work. My favorite is probably the 1966 and 1967 Buick Riviera. It basically was a design Masterpiece either way ! Great selection !
I've seen Miatas where the one side working was used deliberately to produce a winking affect, with eyelashes! Usually sold to women. One type of headlight I don't see here, is angled pivot system. The fender line was smooth, but when activated the headlight case pivoted on a slant, and the headlight was exposed. I can't remember whether the headlight was covered with an aerodynamic clear cover or not. Nor do I remember which car it was on, though I think it was a European brand.
My vote would be for the '66/'67 Riviera. I have mentioned several times, on your videos, about my father having a 1966 Toronado. Which I loved. He only kept it for 2 years, and traded it in on a '68 Toronado. I had forgotten how those hidden headlamps worked. I never really liked the '68. And never knew why he changed cars. I guess it was more luxurious. But as far as for performance, it was a real dog. It took over a year, and several times back to the shop, to finally get the thing to run right. By then, I was living about 1,500 miles away, and in college. The '68 was later traded in for a new 1971 boattail Riviera. I like those more now, than I did when they first came out. I wasn't the one paying for them, so it wasn't really my business. Thanks for stimulating a few memories again.
Thanks for your story. I had a ‘67 Olds when I was in college. It was cheaper to take the Greyhound 60 miles to school than it was to pay for the gas in the Olds.
Yes, the 1942 DeSoto was the first mass-produced automobile to feature hidden headlamps. It's a beautiful and roomy car, which made it popular as a taxi. Unfortunately, only 24,771 were built due to the USA entering WW2; by February 1942, all US vehicle manufacturers ceased building vehicles for sale to the civilian population, retooling for wartime production of whatever was required for the armed forces.
Wow, some very inventive ways to enable the hidden headlights to activate...I must say, I like the '65 Buick Riviera too, as it has the coolest and the most clever way of activating the hidden headlights, Adam😎🤘
In the summer of 1964 my Dad and I went to a Buick dealer to order a 65 Lesabre for my Mom. When a salesman showed us a picture of what the 65 Riviera was going to look like my Dad ordered a 65 Riviera in Artic White with saddle interior. When the car came in, my Mom took me to school when I missed the bus and when we pulled up to the curb it literally caused a riot in my Jr. High parking lot. I have my own 65 Riviera today and just like my Mom's car did back in 64 it causes a riot everywhere it goes. If you don't like a lot of attention, don't drive a 65 Riviera.. Quite simply it is Bill Mitchell's masterpiece.
69 GTO head cool ones And the riv Most unique ones to me that I always thought were pop-up vacuum or air assist were the buick opal Come to find out there's a giant handle you got to pull and those things just clunk back and forth.
One day I'll own a car with hidden headlights...one of my favorite features of cars of that era! Top on my list from what you've shown here would be the 928 (even though the headlights aren't actually hidden), then the '65 Riviera, then the Opel GT. I know you said you don't like how the Fords look when the headlights are exposed, but I really love the look of the '68 Thunderbird coupe.
I grew up being hauled around in a 1969 Ford country squire wagon. It had hidden headlights. The style of the grill with the horizontal line made it special. Although ours had a problem and always had one side permanently open
Owned a '68 & a '70 Ford XL fastback. Gorgeous cars. The 70 had a 429 under the hood & ran very strong. Also owned a '68 L88 Vette with the "frog eyes". What a beast.
I was always a fan of the 67-69 Thunderbird. 2 door or 4. To me those were some of the most handsome looking grills, especially with their hideaway headlamps!
Great video as always Adam, entertaining and informative. I completely agree with the 65 Riviera. That car will always be Dalton (Patrick Swayze) car in Roadhouse to me.🇨🇦
The C4 is my favorite example in this list, not for the rotational direction but the overall design of the car. Hidden headlights that don't reduce cd also seem a little like a vinyl roof approach to headlight design, and the C4 avoids that issue. It is, without question, my all-time favorite Corvette. Even though it's of little help aerodynamically, 66-67 Riviera execution is my second favorite because the car looks right with the lights open. I specifically like the visual interest headlight transparencies add to a car's design, and when open, this car looks just as good as when they're closed. The 65 Riviera is beautiful with the headlights closed, but like most cars with hidden headlights, it looks unfinished when they're open. The 928's lights are great as well... odd when up, but very functional whether the lights are up or down.
1968 Cadillac Eldorado, along with the hidden headlamps the knife blade tail lamps are sharp. No pun intended. I would love to do a resto mod Eldo with a Rod Shop chassis😮
Mom had a '68 Rally Sport convertible. Cool lights! I once owned a '67 Cougar and liked the hidden lights in the "electric shaver grill". The finishing of the exposed lights was decent too. The '65 Riviera is the natural choice for best however. What an awesome car!
Strongly agree about the 1965 buick riviera being #1 I believe worth mentioning would be 1967,68 cadillac eldorado ,ford t-bird, 1968 ford xl .an option on 1970,71 ford torino Ranchero,mercury cyclones1967 pontiac gran prix 68,69gto
As always a comprehensive, well-done vid. A good topic, the 68 Caprice was a nice surprise, a very cool design with the eyebrow a must-have option for that vehicle. The '65 Riviera is indeed a stunning vehicle and those clamshell headlamps make it that much better.
In my opinion, there's nothing controversial at all about giving the '65 Riviera the best hidden headlight award. I really love the '63-4 Rivieras, but I have to admit that the hidden headlights introduced in '65 really transformed the car into one of the best looking cars ever made in the US. Having said that, I agree with another commenter's suggestion that the Cord of the late '30's might've been an equally good looking use of hidden headlights. Even if it wasn't quite as nice as the Riv it deserved to be in the top 10. Great list, though.
I had no idea that the Caprice had hidden headlights. Pretty cool execution too. I've always loved the Opel GT. And of course the Riviera and Toronado are beautiful designs. Also wasn't aware of the Imperial having hidden headlights. Pretty nice
That beautiful 1965 Riviera... oh what an elegant and exciting automobile. My favorite shape and beautiful colors... maroon and dark blue...each are iconic. When the lottery money comes in...
Interesting list. I liked the discussion and the video footage that showed how the headlights worked. The Porsche information was interesting as I did not know that. Thank you for the video and effort Adam. It took time to put this video together. I liked the hidden headlights on the 1970's and early 1980's Lincolns and Mercurys. I prefer it personally on my 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado which has hidden headlights.
You’re right the ‘65 Riv had the best headlight look, but the ‘68 Riviera was and is my favorite. The overall design and style was so far ahead of anything out there.
Adam I have to agree with you on the '65 Buick, they're just beautiful cars. My older brother had one back in '74, I was a kid at the time (10), when he showed me and my older sis (she was 12) how the headlights worked. We were both amazed, I remember thinking that was so cool! The car had pearl white paint with all the chrome and a red/burgundy interior with a consul shifter and a tilt steering column. With the headlights and the tilt steering I was just "awwed" by the whole car. Another thing i do remember very well is that car could smoke that right rear tire very easily! Thanks Adam for another great presentation! It's a shame Detroit doesn't build them like that anymore.
My 1971 Plymouth fury, had hidden headlights. I didn't have it, brand new, but later in '79. I personally, loved that feature. Except, when it snowed, or iced up. Then I had to shut off, the ignition with the lights on, which left the light grill's up, so they wouldn't freeze, closed in place.
I was always rather fond of the hidden headlights on the late-'80s Honda Accord, just because they were so incongruous. By that time, hidden headlights were mostly identified with sports cars, or at least cars with sporting pretensions, and here was Honda putting them on the Accord, of all things.
Thanks for the video, I didn't know that you could get a Camaro or a Caprice Classic with hidden headlights and they were both pretty cool. I agree with your top pick, those 65 Rivera's headlights were just too cool. Cool is always cool, what was cool back then is still cool today. Great video. 😀✌❤
When the 64 Riv came out I remember thinking that it was a sharp looking car, then when the 65 came out with the hidden headlights I thought damn that looks good!
1966 - 1967 Buick Riviera pure style. I owned a 1967 RS Camaro that was a good looking car with the hidden headlights. I support your number one choice what a lovely car.
I agree with #1 and I think the 65 Riv is so special it deserves to be a special designation in antique cars. I think it is the most beautiful 1960's car. I'm surprised Buick only kept the body style 3 yrs. I would give the 1966 Toronado #2. The 1967 Riv would be my #3. #4 the 1964 Lincoln Convertible. #4.5 1962 Cadillac Eldorado or Fleetwood 60 special. #5 the 1965 Buick Wildcat convertible or coupe. #6 the 1965 Pontiac any full size car. #7 the 1967 Pontiac GTO. #8 1962 Buick Full size. #9 1969 Plymouth Baracuda. #10 1966 Cadillac Coupe or Convertible. Special mentions: 1968 Mercury full size, 1965 Corvette, any Corvair, 1967-69 Camaro, 1964.5 Mustang, 1968 or 69 Buick Skylark 4 dr hardtop. Another great video!
The Isuzu Impulse was one of the best half hidden headlights, too. Bonus points for those that opened and produced a quasi ram air effect, like a few 1968 and 1969 Buick Rivieras with the factory intake tube pointed right at the opening
