Pop-up headlights: ultimate survey

Sorry, I can not say that I agree with you on that one.

My point is, that majority, if not all of the convertible cars looks better with the top down than having them up.

 

Anthony -

Nice post. That's pretty much what I was thinking. It's interesting how ellipsoid lenses and headlight technology have permitted some substantial design innovations.

Headlights used to cost about $20 at PepBoys, and come in round or square shapes. That was about it. Bust the lens of a modern lamp (even on a Hyundai) and you're talking serious cha-ching these days!

-d

 

Think E-Type

 

Don't just think cars were designed just for the US.
Illumination, dip beam cutoff, height above the ground, distance from the extremity of the vehicle, etc. are all regulated.

Popup lights are entirely a styling thing. They have so many disadvantages over fixed/faired in lights; weight, reliability, setup, etc.

Projection lights are typically longer than regular parabolic reflector 5 or 7 inch lamps. Projectors actually allow the lamps to be mounted in a narrower vertical space and therefore give more options to the designer/stylist.

Hella are working on the first generation LED headlights for the next VW Golf. They tell me the results are better than xenon. Now that is exciting.

 

...and I dumped my Mondial popups because they were so HEAVY!

 

Simple answer, Brian....ALL!

 

and me they are horrible cheap and cheesy

 

I like the look of the 328 with the lights down, but I wish they had switched to rectangular bulbs. With the lights up, the car looks like a big, red Italian frog!

I have another problem associated with the pop-ups: one of the hinge bolts on one side broke. I have a replacement bolt, but I can't put it in until I figure out a way to remove the remnant of the old bolt. Consensus seems to be I have to get in through the wheel well and remove the a/c condenser! What a PITA!

 

Personally I think they go well with the design of the cars. I think they look better than the newer models during the day, worse with the lights on. Since I usually see them during the day, I prefer it. Also, kids seem to think it is a special feature and really like when they pop up.
BT

 

Pop-up lights look great on the F40, but I think thats partly due to the daytime flashing lights/turnsignals being under glass.

 

I love them! My car has Pop-ups!
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As the owner of a 928, I can say they are really cool to have and turning them on is a blast. The lights on the 928 rotate forward unlike most pop-up headlights. When in the on position they are flush with the body, have an aerodynamic back, and only the round glass visible to the front.

From the drivers perspective they are like crosshairs that help you aim and from other cars they see the lit up glass halo from the side that looks modern even today. A great feature on my car and these F-cars, imo.

 

i'll play BOTH sides of the coin.

Love the LOOK of the pop ups. No doubt about it...

BUT the functionality adds more moving parts (bad) and more weight (also bad).

Yes i love the pop ups on the 308 and once you have the ?rectifier? replaced on the motors they seem to work well and are easily adjustable. Still, they add weight/moving parts, and this is not a good thing and adds to repair costs and added maintenance.

 

Simple solution! Don't use them hahahaha

Seriously though my car has the HID bulbs in the pop up's and they are like flame throwers. My view about the pop ups are they help aerodynmics when down, and at night you should be driving that fast anyways.

 

On a 308 I think they look awful and very dated - I only ever have them up as a last resort (i.e. it's pitch black & no one can see them...)

But I do accept that in their day it was the only was to produce the low & pointy nose.

 

I love the colour of your Lotus!

 

The 928 has particularly interesting lights, and I have always been a fan. I have never liked the always-up bug-eye look of the 911, just not my thing.

Another cool set were on an old Opel (not sure of the model). They roll sideways, looks really wild in action. There was a teacher that had one when I was in elementary school, and every once in a while he would end up behind the bus. The boys (the girls were doing girl stuff) would all crowd into the back and get him to flip them over and over. We all thought he was the bomb!

 

Sort of like on a Miura, right?

Ken

 

I really dislike Pop-ups....makes just about any car look very dated.

 

I second that. I have had and have most of the new ferraris and the F355 still looks gorgeous!!!! there is somthing about the pop up lights. 'now you see them now you dont'

 

They sure do.Sharp Lotus !
Now if you can only teach Richard Gere how to Drive one

 

Here is a good view of them up. I think really timeless and kind of a modern version of the big lights used on packards, auburns, cords etc. Turning the switch, and watching them come up and light is cool. They are extremely strong also.
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guess i grew up watching too much magnum pi, since i equate pop-up lights with sports cars, and for a sports car not to have them seems...pedestrian.

john

 

Nice shark GTS or upgraded S4?

The 928 is a very good example of a car that looks way better with popups (none of the popup-delete mods I've seen appeal to me)...

There's some truth to the popup=sportscar comment above - they are very obvious in a rear-view mirror.