Various types of car designs have been invented since the development of the automotive industry. These types of cars are not easy to find on the streets. But today we are going to talk about the affordable cars with pop-up headlights that will brighten your day.

Pop-up headlights were first used on the Cord 810 in 1936. The main purpose of this design is to improve the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle by smoothing out the surface of the hood and hiding the headlights.

For this reason, many sports cars used to use this design. Unfortunately, this innovation was met with failure as these were deemed unsafe, leading to their being banned by automotive safety regulations.

Now you can’t see new cars with Hidden headlamp. However, in the 70 years of Hidden Headlight production, around 200 cars have been adorned with this unforgettable feature; these 20 vehicles are among the most memorable.

From obscure supercars to coveted used sports cars, here are some of the most iconic affordable cars with pop-up headlights gracing the streets.

What Are Pop Up Headlights Cars?

Pop-up headlights Cars are a form of headlight that remains concealed when not in use. The first use of this feature on a production car was the Gordon Buehrig-designed Cord 810 of 1936. 

Buehrig wanted the lights to retract by electric motors, but cost considerations prevented this. Instead, the lights were turned on by hand using separate handles under the dash. 

One of the most popular examples of cars with Hidden headlamp was the Toyota AE86, sold in the US as the Toyota Sprinter Trueno, which had pop-up headlights because the standard headlights used on the original version were too low. 

Raising the vehicle was out of the question as it would be more expensive and affect the handling of the car as it was built for a lower height. Soon, the flip-up headlight design became associated with sleek, high-performance sports cars, increasing its popularity.

How to Get Affordable Cars With Pop-Up Headlights

When it comes to cars, enthusiasts have always had a soft spot for the charm and nostalgia of pop-up headlights. These unique headlights were a common sight in the automotive industry during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. While they may not be as prevalent in modern vehicles, finding an affordable car with pop-up headlights can be a thrilling adventure for vintage car lovers. In this article, we will explore various ways to get your hands on these charismatic cars without breaking the bank.

1. Research Classic Car Auctions

One of the best ways to find these type of vehicle is by attending classic car auctions. These events bring together a plethora of vintage vehicles, including those with pop-up headlights. The key is to research upcoming auctions, as some might specialize in certain car models or eras. By doing your homework, you can increase your chances of finding the perfect car at a reasonable price.

  2. Scour Online Marketplaces

The internet has revolutionized the way we buy and sell cars, and it’s a treasure trove for classic car enthusiasts. Online marketplaces like eBay Motors, Bring a Trailer, and Craigslist often have listings for vehicles equipped with pop-up headlights. Exercise caution and verify the authenticity and condition of the car before making any purchases.

3. Join Classic Car Forums and Clubs

Engaging with like-minded individuals in classic car forums and clubs can be an excellent way to learn about available cars with pop-up headlights. Fellow enthusiasts might be willing to sell their vehicles or provide valuable leads on where to find them. 

Additionally, these communities are rich in knowledge and can offer advice on maintenance, restoration, and potential modifications.

4. Explore Local Car Shows and Meets

Attending local car shows and meets can be a rewarding experience for vintage car enthusiasts. These events often showcase classic vehicles, and you may stumble upon a hidden gem with pop-up headlights. 

Interacting with car owners and discussing their vehicles can open doors to potential deals or connections with sellers.

5. Consider Vehicle Auction Websites

In recent years, specialized websites have emerged that focus solely on auctioning classic cars. Platforms like Hemmings and ClassicCars.com feature classic cars for sale, making it easier to find vehicles with pop-up headlights. 

Keep an eye on these websites for new listings and act quickly when you find a car that catches your eye.

6. Visit Salvage Yards and Junkyards

While it may sound unconventional, salvage yards and junkyards can be a goldmine for affordable classic cars. People often underestimate the potential of finding rare and unique vehicles in such places. 

Although restoration might be required, you can save a significant amount of money by purchasing a car with potential and investing in its revival.

Why Pop-Up Headlights Cars Are Banned

Hidden headlamp were a striking feature of 20th-century automobiles. These headlights can be folded up and down and stay under the exterior of the car when not in use. Playful and eye-catching pop-up headlights emphasized the car’s design. 

Pop-up headlights, which first debuted in the 1930s, were a common feature in the years that followed. Pop-up headlights evolved and played an integral role in American car culture. 

The demand for them continued, and both the 1956 Pontiac Club de Mer and the 1961-62 Plymouth Valiant had this feature. Buick, Dodge, and Ford also installed these lights on their model cars. 

International approval increased when Europeans equipped the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 with Hidden headlamp. Safety concerns increased in the 1960s and 1970s. At the time, regulations in the United States required cars to have round or rectangular sealed headlights. 

This was a setback for designers as these updated rules restricted design options. Concern about the future of pop-up headlights began in the 1990s. The rules that required cars in the US to have staggered-beam headlights had expired. 

The companies brainstormed replacement designs. As a result, no one oversaw what the companies were planning and there was no national mandate dictating what lighthouses should look like. Companies now incorporate lights into the body of the car.

11 Most Affordable Cars With Pop-Up Headlights In 2024

Pop-up headlights are an increasingly difficult feature to find. Hidden lights are a unique addition to any car and there are so many great options out there even if newer cars don’t have pop-up headlights. In this article, we will review 9 amazing cheap cars with pop-up headlights in 2024.

We researched each car price through reputed online sources like cargurus and classic so you get the most affordable price. Each of these vehicles features a unique look that accentuates the innovative flip-top addition. Let’s get in right away.

1. Porsche 944 ( 1982–1991) 

• Used price: $7,500

While the 911 stands as Porsche’s flagship sports car, the German automaker acknowledges its premium pricing isn’t accessible to many enthusiasts. To cater to a broader audience, Porsche has consistently offered more budget-friendly sports car alternatives throughout the years. 

Among the array of entry-level options, the 944 stands out as arguably the finest. This front-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car utilized the mechanical foundation of the earlier 924 but surpassed it in every aspect. 

Porsche introduced various versions of the 944, including a turbocharged variant boasting a compelling 250 hp. Remarkably, the base 944 can be acquired for less than $8,000, an exceptionally affordable entry point into the world of hidden headlights cars.

2. Toyota MR2 (1982-1987) 

• Used price: $3,500

When considering older MR2s with flip-eye headlamps, our inclination leans towards a well-maintained first-gen model. However, locating one at an affordable price, and in decent condition, proves to be quite a challenge. 

On the other hand, values of the second-generation ‘SW20’ MR2 remain within reasonable limits. You can find the most budget-friendly, yet still usable, examples starting at around $4000. 

While these cars have earned a reputation for somewhat challenging handling near the limit, driving smoothly to avoid lift-off oversteer incidents, or opting for one of the later, more user-friendly versions, ensures a pleasant experience with the MR2.

3. Ford Probe ( 1993-1997)

• Used price: $4,760

The Ford Probe, a collaborative effort between Ford and Mazda, came close to replacing the Mustang during its initial generation, highlighting the significance of this joint project. 

Concealed beneath its elegantly positioned pop-up headlights was a refined 2.5-liter Mazda KL V6 engine. Ford manufactured this front-wheel-drive liftback coupe through two generations. 

Despite being out of production since 1997, the Probe remains a commendable choice for daily driving. While diligent searching can uncover several models priced under $10,000, securing examples in excellent condition will demand a thorough and careful exploration of the market.

4. Chevrolet Corvette C2 (1963-1967)

• Used Price: $119,000

The Chevrolet Corvette C2 is the second generation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car, manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1963 through 1967 model years.

The flip-eye headlamps used in this car were originally powered by single electric motors, but have been converted to vacuum power in the C3 and beyond. These design elements became hallmarks of Corvette until the C5 generation when the pop-up lights were discontinued.

Also Read: – Top Cars With Butterfly Doors

It is powered by a V-8 engine that produces 250/300/340 hp and 360 hp when equipped with fuel injection. The 1965 model was one of the first US-made cars with full four-wheel disc brakes.

5. Pontiac Fiero (1984 to 1988)

• Used Price: $26,000

In the 1980s, Pontiac introduced the Fiero, with pop-up headlights . The GT was powered by a 2.8-litre V6 and required changes to the bodywork, suspension, and interior.

The Fiero GT was a great Pontiac sports car, especially in its final year in 1988, but it was too small too late, and America’s only mid-engine sports car with flip up headlights was gone. It also has a manual gearbox, which is key to enjoying the Fiero.

The car also includes its original window decal and sunroof cover. The latest generation Fieros are truly great sports cars and in many ways show what could have been. The asking price for this car is a fair market $26,000 which seems like good value for a pristine original car with such low mileage.

6. Opel GT (1968 to 1973)

• Used Price: $26,700

The Opel GT is often referred to as the “Baby Corvette” due to its visual resemblance to the third-generation Chevrolet Corvette. With swivelling pop-up headlights, it attracted a lot of attention.

Two engines were offered with the GT, either a 1.1 litre inline 4 cylinder OHV engine developing 67 hp at 6000 rpm or a 1.9 litre inline 4 cylinder OHV engine producing 102hp at 5200rpm. Opel claims it has a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of nearly 140mph.

A key innovation of the Opel GT Concept is the large doors with integrated side windows that show a seamless transition from glass to painted surfaces. Both driver and passenger gain access to the unexpectedly spacious interior by pressing the power door touchpad.

7. Mazda RX (1978–1982)

• Used Price: $12,000

The RX-7 used the world’s first mass-produced sequential turbocharged engine. The RX nomenclature plays a huge part in Mazda’s past: historically, everything bearing the name has also had a rotary engine.

The RX-7 can be considered one of the most legendary JDM sports cars with pop-up headlamps of its time. Mazda RX-7 was produced for three generations, all of which used the compact car. Due to the sequential turbo, the RX-7 has very little turbo lag and could do a 0-60 mph time of under 5.0 seconds.

The third generation RX-7 FD is said to be the best and most famous model in the RX-7 series. His form today is as clean and fresh as when he debuted. The Mazda RX-7 FD has a timeless design that still appeals to all motor lovers.

8. Porsche 928 (1977–1982)

• Used Price: $19,000

The Porsche 928 is a luxury grand tourer that combines the power, balance, and handling of a sports car with the refinement and comfort of a sedan. In addition, The Porsche 928 is known as the company’s first V8-powered production car and one of cheapest flip-eye headlamps cars in 2022.

The Porsche 928 was considered one of the most relaxed cars back then. Unlike the other cars on this list, the Porsche 928’s pop-up headlights aren’t hidden. Instead, they stay outdoors, and, interestingly, the lights resembled those on the Lamborghini Miura.

One of its most famous technical features, which set it apart from other cars, was its Porsche-designed Weissach axle. When voted European Car of the Year in 1978, Porsche’s design and development efforts paid off with the 928 winning ahead of the BMW 7 Series and Ford Granada.

9. Ferrari F40 (1987–1992)

• Used Price: $700,000

The F40 is one of the most famous and most idolized classic Ferraris. It is one of the perfect vehicle with Hidden headlamp and a racing car for the road, with a beautiful and elegant Italian design.

Legendary for its looks too, with its pop-down headlights, the F40 is sleek and stylish with its combination of sharp, curving body lines and a menacing front end. But stacked on top of a regular set of headlights, the F40’s pop-ups look comically strange when raised, sporting an expression that seems almost awkward and unsure of its impeccable pedigree.

And perhaps the added aerodynamic advantage helped the F40 achieve its record-breaking performance when it achieved the first speed of over 200mph in a production car in 1987, with a top speed of 201.4mph.

10. Lamborghini Diablo (1990–1994)

• Used Price: $258,000

With a top speed of 325 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.5 seconds, Diablo took first place in the supercar segment. Producing 485 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, the 1990 Diablo was powered by a 5.7-litre V12 engine that could reach top speeds of 202 mph and accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds.

It really was one of the fastest cars with pop-up headlamps. It was only rear-wheel drive and there were no electronic driver aids or power steering until 1993.

Aside from the powerful and sharp throttle response, what impressed most was its thunderous roar, a sound we never tire of. Louder and harsher than Ferrari’s V12, the Lamborghini engine’s noise was still the best of any supercar. Handling was average at best, the Diablo was too heavy, wide, and bulky to ride.

11. Toyota Supra (1978–1982)

• Used Price: $45,990

Aside from being an absolute show-stealer, the Toyota Supra boasts a lot of hidden skills and facts under its hood. In addition to its nostalgic aesthetics, this Supra also features the much-desired powertrain setup, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 320 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Most models of this generation were offered with a lower base inline six-cylinder engine and either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. With a low centre of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution, it also optimizes aerodynamic balance.

With a seriously powerful engine option, hidden headlamps and transmission, the Supra is an extremely popular choice with tuners looking for a platform from which to extract embarrassing levels of supercar performance.

FAQ Regarding Affordable Cars With Pop-Up Headlights

Conclusion

Automakers stopped making new cars with pop-up headlamps. Still, people love having Hidden headlamps on cars. With our list, you can easily find the classic vintage cars that make history in the automotive industry.