2003
Right up to the end, Pontiac offered the Firebird with concealed headlights. This is the 2003 model. It was hard to tell if the 1972 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron was coming or going. The hidden headlights, secluded behind doors in the grille, gave the car a sleek, though confusing appearance.

Why were flip up headlights banned?

The reality is, safety regulations somewhat killed off the Pop-up headlight. This was mainly down to pedestrian safety regulations being tightened up and having a ‘sharp’ surface area was deemed too dangerous for most manufacturers to bother continuing with pop-ups.

What was the last car with flip up headlights?

The last time pop-up headlamps appeared on a volume-production car was in 2004 when both the Lotus Esprit and C5 Corvette ended production. Development of both projector beam headlamps such as those on the 1990 Nissan Z, and more efficient, bright LED headlamps has in practice, eliminated the need for hidden headlamps …

Do they still make cars with flip up headlights?

Although pop headlights are an antiquated concept, they were extremely popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The very last automobiles with pop-up headlights were manufactured in 2004. While, sadly, pop-up headlights are long gone, the used market is packed with affordable offerings that rocked this iconic design feature.

When did GTO have hidden headlights?

1968
03: Hidden headlights In 1968, along with GM’s other A-body models, the GTO received its first major redesign. Unlike the Chevy Chevelle, Olds Cutlass, and Buick Skylark, the Pontiac got hidden headlamps.

Are hidden headlights illegal?

Headlamp concealment devices are still legal, and regulations for manufacturing them can be found under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Standard No. 108. It is difficult to create hidden headlights that comply with these laws, and the high costs of doing so aren’t worth it to most manufacturers.

Why are pop ups illegal?

Companies were now putting lights into the car’s body. In response to untrustworthy headlights that companies were designing, the country launched a safety bylaw known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Standard No. 108. This stated that lights must remain open if there were issues.

What was the first car to have pop-up headlights?

Where did the pop-up headlight go? 1936 Cord 810 Convertable Phaeton on display at Tallahassee Automobile Museum. New safety regulations have pushed it out of favor. Pop-up headlights—or hidden headlamps, as they are technically deemed—first appeared on the Cord 810 in 1936.

Which GTO had the hideaway headlights?

1968 Pontiac GTO
1968 Pontiac GTO (with the hideaway headlamps option). #VintageMuscleCars | Pontiac gto, Classic cars, 1968 pontiac gto.