Pop-up headlights were a defining feature of sports and supercars in the late 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. While many associate them with the neon-soaked era of the 1980s, this iconic design actually dates back to 1936.

The first production car to feature hidden headlamps was the Cord 810 (later rebranded as the 812). Around the same time, Alfa Romeo unveiled the 8C 2900A, featuring its own sophisticated hidden headlight design a masterpiece now displayed at the Musée National de l’Automobile in Mulhouse, France.

Cars That Made Pop-Up Headlights Iconic

From the ’70s through the ’90s, pop-up headlights became a global symbol of performance and futuristic design. The list of cars featuring them is surprisingly diverse, ranging from lightweight roadsters to the world’s most exotic supercars.

Some of the most legendary examples include:

• Mazda MX-5 (Mk1): The lightweight roadster where the “wink” became a cult design feature.
• Porsche 944: A sleek, everyday sports car with unmistakable pop-up flair.
• Honda NSX: The Japanese supercar that blended everyday usability with high-tech design innovation.
• Ferrari Testarossa: A bold, straked icon that defined 1980s excess.
• Lamborghini Countach: The ultimate poster car, made even more dramatic by its hidden lamps.
• BMW 8 Series (E31): One of the last mainstream grand tourers to embrace the design in the early ’90s.

Want to see a full list of cars with pop-up or hidden headlights? [Click here] you might be surprised by how many made the list!

Why Did They Disappear?

While many assume pop-up headlights were flatly banned, that’s not entirely accurate. Their decline was primarily driven by evolving European safety regulations, specifically pedestrian safety laws introduced in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.

Pop-up headlights often featured low, sharp mechanical edges that didn’t comply with new front-end impact absorption standards. As manufacturers shifted their focus to aerodynamics, complex crash-safety zones, and cost-efficiency, the mechanical complexity of pop-up designs simply became impractical.

Are Pop-Up Headlights Illegal Today?

Contrary to popular belief, pop-up headlights aren’t technically illegal. However, the legal hurdles to bring them back are immense. Modern manufacturers must comply with stringent pedestrian impact regulations, which require the front of a car to be “soft” and energy-absorbent to minimize injury in a collision. A rigid, mechanical unit with sharp edges is an engineering nightmare to make “safe” by today’s standards.

Additionally, current laws regarding headlight height and beam stability mean that a light must be ready to illuminate the road instantly. The split-second delay of a motor lifting the lamp, combined with the aerodynamic drag it creates, means mass-market manufacturers now prefer the sleek, fixed LED units we see today. This is why even the most daring concept cars usually opt for digital “light signatures” over moving parts.

Could They Ever Make a Comeback?

While it’s hard to imagine a mainstream, carbon-fibre supercar with 1980s-style pop-ups today, the emotional connection to them is stronger than ever. They represent a “golden era” of automotive design, a time when creativity and personality took precedence over wind-tunnel efficiency and corporate red tape.

We are, however, seeing a glimmer of hope in the bespoke and restomod world. Specialised builders are experimenting with ultra-slim LED “hidden” lights and modern actuators that could, in theory, pass low-volume safety checks. Whether they return in a new, high-tech digital form or remain a cherished relic of the past, their legacy as one of the most beloved features in car culture is permanent. Until a manufacturer finds a way to reinvent the “wink” for the 21st century, we’ll continue to cherish the classics and keep the dream alive.