Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps, pop-up headlights, flip-eye headlamps, or hideaway headlights, are a form of

automotive lighting The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted to or integrated into the front, rear, sides, and in some cases the top of a motor vehicle. They illuminate the road ahead for the driver and increase t ...

and an automotive styling feature that conceals an

automobile A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with Wheel, wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, Car seat, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport private transport#Personal transport, pe ...

headlamp A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the device itself and ''headlight'' is the term for ...

s when they are not in use. Depending on the design, the headlamps may be mounted in a housing that rotates so as to sit flush with the front end as on the

Lamborghini Miura The Lamborghini Miura is a sports car produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 1966 and 1973. The car was the first supercar with a rear mid-engined two-seat layout, although the concept was first seen in a production road car with Ren ...

or Porsche 928, may retract into the hood and/or fenders as on the 1963–2004

Chevrolet Corvette The Chevrolet Corvette is a two-door, two-passenger luxury sports car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet since 1953. With eight design generations, noted sequentially from C1 to C8, the Corvette is noted for its performance and distinctive ...

, or may be concealed behind retractable or rotating grille panels as on the 1966-1970

Dodge Charger The Dodge Charger is a model of automobile marketed by Dodge in various forms over seven generations since 1966. The first Charger was a show car in 1964. A 1965 Charger II concept car resembled the 1966 production version. The Charger has ...

, 1970-1971

Mercury Cyclone The Mercury Cyclone is an automobile that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford from 1964 to 1971. Introduced in 1964 as the Mercury Comet Cyclone, the Cyclone replaced the S-22 as the performance-oriented version of the Mercury Comet mo ...

, or the 1965

Buick Riviera The Buick Riviera is a personal luxury car that was marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999, with the exception of the 1994 model year. As General Motors' first entry into the personal luxury car market segment, the Riviera was highly praised by au ...

History

Hidden headlamps first appeared on the

Cord 810 The Cord 810, and later Cord 812, was a luxury automobile produced by the Cord Automobile division of the Auburn Automobile Company in 1936 and 1937. It was the first American-designed and built front wheel drive car with independent front suspen ...

in November 1935 at the New York Auto Show and shortly after on a custom example of the

Alfa Romeo 8C The Alfa Romeo 8C was originally a range of Alfa Romeo road, Auto racing, race and sports cars of the 1930s. In 2004 Alfa Romeo revived the 8C name for a V8-engined concept car which made it into production for 2007, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizion ...

in 1936. In the Cord, a pair of cranks on either side of the dashboard could be turned by hand to bring out the headlamps when needed. Powered hidden headlamps first appeared on GM's

concept car A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle, show vehicle or prototype) is a car made to showcase new styling and/or new technology. They are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or ...

in 1938, the Buick Y-Job, and appeared on concept cars for several years after, including the 1951

General Motors Le Sabre The General Motors Le Sabre is a 1951 concept car. Possibly the most important show car of the 1950s, it introduced aircraft-inspired design elements such as the wrap-around windshield and tail fins, which became common on automotive designs duri ...

. However, power hidden headlamps would not appear on a production vehicle until 1962 with the

Lotus Elan Lotus Elan is the name of two separate ranges of automobiles produced by Lotus Cars. The first series of cars was produced between 1962 and 1975 as a rear-wheel drive vehicle. The second series was produced between 1989 and 1995 as a front-wheel ...

. The popularity of this feature has waxed and waned over time. Hidden headlamps regained popularity in the mid-to-late 1960s, first in Europe but particularly in the US where aerodynamic headlamps were not permitted. A relatively large variety of cars incorporated hidden headlamps in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and up to the early 2000s. Subsequent legislation led to hidden headlamps falling increasingly out of favor. In the past, manufacturers often used hidden headlamps to circumvent headlight height regulations in the United States. For instance, in 1983,

Toyota is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. It was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda and incorporated on . Toyota is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, producing about 10 ...

exported their retractable headlight version of the AE86 (known domestically as the Sprinter Trueno) instead of the Corolla Levin, as the former had a higher headlamp height, enough to satisfy US regulations. This prevents them from raising the body height of the car, which would have affected handling.

Discontinuation

US laws now permit aerodynamic headlamps, relative to which hidden headlamps represent added cost, weight, and complexity as well as reliability concerns as cars age. Internationalized ECE auto safety regulations have also recently incorporated pedestrian-protection provisions restricting protuberances from car bodies, making it more difficult and expensive to design compliant pop-up headlamps. The last time pop-up headlamps appeared on a volume-production car was in 2004, when both the

Lotus Esprit The Lotus Esprit is a British sports car that was built by Lotus Cars at their Hethel factory in England between 1976 and 2004. It was among the first of designer Giorgetto Giugiaro's polygonal "folded paper" designs. Background In 1970 Tony ...

and Chevrolet Corvette (C5) ended production. Development of both projector beam headlamps such as those on the 1990 Nissan 300ZX (Z32), and more efficient, bright

LED A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor Electronics, device that Light#Light sources, emits light when Electric current, current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy i ...

headlamps A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the device itself and ''headlight'' is the term for ...

has in practice, eliminated the need for hidden headlamps altogether. Despite new cars no longer offering hidden headlamps since 2004, hidden headlamps are not outright banned, and as such, they can be still be installed on vehicles today such as the

Ares Design Project1 The Ares Design Project1 is a coach-built sports car manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer Ares Design. Based on the Lamborghini Huracán, the car is meant to be a modern reinterpretation of the De Tomaso Pantera. Specifications Init ...

List of cars with hidden headlamps

Production cars

AC 3000ME The AC 3000ME is a mid-engined sports car originally sold by AC Cars. The two-door coupé debuted at the 1973 London Motor Show. Sales did not begin until 1979 and lasted until 1984. Rights to the 3000ME and tooling were transferred to a second ...

, 1979–1984 *

, 2018 (redesign of the

Lamborghini Huracán The Lamborghini Huracán (Spanish for "hurricane"; ) is a sports car manufactured by Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini replacing the previous V10 offering, the Gallardo. The Huracán was revealed online in December 2013, making its w ...

, also known as the Ares Panther; inspired by the De Tomaso Pantera) * Adams Brothers Probe 15, 1969 * Adams Brothers Probe 16, 1969–1970 * Adams Brothers Probe 2001, 1970–1972 *

2900A

Pininfarina Pininfarina S.p.A. (short for Carrozzeria Pininfarina) is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. The company was founded by Battista "Pinin" Farina in 1930. On 14 December 2015, the Indian mu ...

Berlinetta, 1936 * Alfa Romeo Montreal, 1970–1977 * Alpine A610, 1991–1995 *

Alpine GTA The Renault Alpine GTA and the succeeding A610 is a sports coupe automobile produced by the Renault-owned French manufacturer Alpine between late 1984 and 1995. It replaced the slow-selling Alpine A310, with which it shared many features, including ...

, 1987 (U.S. spec) *

Aston Martin Lagonda The Aston Martin Lagonda is a full-size luxury four-door saloon manufactured by British manufacturer Aston Martin between 1974 and 1990. A total of 645 were produced. The name was derived from the Lagonda marque that Aston Martin had purchas ...

, 1976–1989 * Aston Martin Vantage Zagato Volante, 1986–1989 * Asüna Sunfire, 1993 * Bitter CD & SC, 1973–1979 *

Bricklin SV-1 The Bricklin SV-1 is a two-seat sports car built from 1974 until late 1975. The car was noteworthy for its gull-wing doors and composite bodywork of color-impregnated acrylic resin bonded to fiberglass. Assembly took place in Saint John, New Bruns ...

, 1974–1976 *

BMW 8 Series (E31) The BMW E31 is the first generation of the BMW 8 Series. It is a grand tourer built by BMW from 1990 to 1999 as a 2-door coupé, powered by either a V8 or V12 engine. Whilst it did supplant the original E24 based 6 Series in 1990, it was ...

, 1989–1999 * BMW M1, 1978–1981 *

Buick Reatta The Buick Reatta is a low-volume transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, two-door, two-seater grand tourer manufactured and marketed by Buick as a coupe (1988–1991) and convertible (1990-1991) — both featuring a 3.8 liter V6 engine an ...

, 1988–1991 *

, 1965–1969 *

Buick SkyHawk The Buick Skyhawk is an automobile produced by Buick in two generations for the 1975 through 1989 model years. The first generation (1975-1980) were two-door hatchbacks using the subcompact, rear-wheel drive H-body platform, a badge engineere ...

, 1986–1989 * Burlington Centurion 1981-1982 *

Cadillac Eldorado The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 until 2002 over twelve generations. The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac line. The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham ...

, 1967–1968 *

Chevrolet Camaro The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro share ...

, 1967–1969 (optional - usually with the Rally Sport model or the RS/SS package) *

Chevrolet Caprice The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-sized automobile produced by Chevrolet in North America for the 1965 to 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold. It was the most popular car in the U.S. in the 1960s ...

, 1968–1969 (optional and very rare) *

, 1963–2004 *

Chevrolet Kingswood Estate The Chevrolet Kingswood was a 4-door station wagon produced by Chevrolet in 1959 and 1960, and again from 1969 to 1972 built on the GM B Body platform. 1959-1960 The Kingswood was deliberately made to be unique: the headlights were placed as l ...

, 1969 (optional and very rare) *

Chrysler 300 The Chrysler 300 is a full-size luxury car manufactured and marketed by Stellantis North America (and its predecessor companies) as a four-door sedan and station wagon in its first generation (model years 2005–2010) and solely as a four-do ...

, 1968–1971 *

Chrysler Imperial The Chrysler Imperial, introduced in 1926, was Chrysler's top-of-the-line vehicle for much of its history. Models were produced with the Chrysler name until 1954, after which it became a standalone brand; and again from 1990 to 1993. The compan ...

, 1969–1993 *

Chrysler LeBaron The Chrysler LeBaron, also known as the Imperial LeBaron, is a line of automobiles built by Chrysler from 1931-1941 and from 1955-1995. The model was introduced in 1931, with a body manufactured by LeBaron Incorporated, LeBaron, and competed wit ...

, 1987–1992 (coupe & convertible only) *

Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue The Chrysler Fifth Avenue was a trim level/option package or model name used by Chrysler (division), Chrysler for its larger sedans from 1979 to 1993. The Fifth Avenue name was no longer used after 1993 when Chrysler introduced its new LH-platform ...

, 1990–1993 *

Chrysler New Yorker The Chrysler New Yorker is an automobile model that was produced by Chrysler from 1940 until 1996, serving for several decades as the brand's flagship model, or as a junior sedan to the Chrysler Imperial luxury brand. A trim level named the "Ne ...

, 1976–1981 and 1988–1993 *

Cizeta-Moroder V16T The Cizeta-Moroder V16T, now known as just the Cizeta V16T, is an Italian sports car (built from 1991 to 1995) developed by automotive engineer Claudio Zampolli in a joint venture with music composer Giorgio Moroder and designed by Marcello Gandi ...

, 1991–2003 * Clan Clover 1984-1988 * Continental Mark series, 1968–1983 *

Cord 810/812 The Cord 810, and later Cord 812, was a luxury automobile produced by the Cord Automobile division of the Auburn Automobile Company in 1936 and 1937. It was the first American-designed and built front wheel drive car with independent front suspen ...

, 1936–1937 * Covini B24, 1981 *'' DARE'' DZ, 1998-1999 * DeSoto, 1942 *

De Tomaso Mangusta The De Tomaso Mangusta is a sports car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer De Tomaso between 1967 and 1971. It was succeeded by the De Tomaso Pantera. History The Mangusta replaced the Vallelunga model, on which its chassis was based ...

, 1970–1971 (US-spec) *

De Tomaso Pantera The De Tomaso Pantera is a mid-engine sports car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer De Tomaso from 1971 to 1992. Italian for "Panther", the Pantera was the automaker's most popular model, with over 7,000 manufactured over its twenty-year ...

, 1971–1974 *

De Tomaso Guarà The De Tomaso Guarà is a sports car and the last project the founder and owner Alejandro de Tomaso put into the market. Presented at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, the Guarà was initially available in coupé body-style. Later a roadster and an o ...

, 1993–2004 *

, 1966–1970, (optional in 1971 & 1972) *

Dodge Charger Daytona Dodge produced three separate models with the name Dodge Charger Daytona, all of which were modified Dodge Chargers. The name was taken from Daytona Beach, Florida, which was an early center for auto racing and still hosts the Daytona 500, NASC ...

, 1969–1970 *

Dodge Daytona The Dodge Daytona is an automobile which was produced by the Chrysler Corporation under their Dodge division from 1984 until 1993. It was a front-wheel drive hatchback based on the Chrysler G platform, which was derived from the Chrysler K platfo ...

, 1987–1991 *

Dodge Magnum The Dodge Magnum is a nameplate used by several Dodge vehicles, at different times and on various markets. The name was first applied to a large Chrysler B platform-based 2-door coupe marketed from 1978 to 1979 sold in the United States and Cana ...

, 1978–1979 (clear covers) *

Dodge Monaco The Dodge Monaco is an automobile that was marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler Corporation. Introduced as the flagship of the Dodge product line, the Monaco was introduced for 1965 to replace the Custom 880, later then later joining as a su ...

, 1972–1973 * Dodge Royal Monaco, 1976–1978 *

Dodge Stealth Dodge is an American brand of automobiles and a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dodge vehicles have historically included performance cars, and for much of its existence Dodge was Chrysler's mid-priced brand above Plym ...

, 1991–1993 * Dodge St. Regis, 1979–1981 (clear covers) *

Eagle Talon The Eagle Talon is a two-door 2+2, front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) hatchback coupé manufactured and marketed from 1989 until 1998 and sold by Eagle along with rebadged variants the Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse. The ...

, 1990–1991 * Evante Sports 1600 Mk.2 1985-1994 * Ferrari/Dino 208/308 GT4, 1974–1980 *

Ferrari 288 GTO The Ferrari GTO (often referred to as Ferrari 288 GTO) (Type F114) is an exotic homologation of the Ferrari 308 GTB produced from 1984 to 1987 in Ferrari's Maranello factory, designated GT for Gran Turismo and O for ''Omologata'' (homologated i ...

, 1984–1985 *

Ferrari 308 GTB The Ferrari 308 GTB berlinetta and targa topped 308 GTS are V8 mid-engined, two-seater sports cars manufactured by the Italian company Ferrari from 1975 until 1985. The 308 replaced the Dino 246 GT and GTS in 1975 and was updated as the 328 GTB ...

, 1975–1984 *

Ferrari 328 The Ferrari 328 GTB and GTS (Type F106) are mid-engine V8, two seat sports cars created by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari. It was the successor to the Ferrari 308 GTB and GTS. While mechanically still based on the 308, modifications we ...

, 1985–1989 *

Ferrari 348 The Ferrari 348 (Type F119) is a mid-engine V8-powered 2-seat sports car produced by Italian automaker Ferrari, replacing the 328 in 1989 and remaining in production until 1995. It was the final V8 model developed under the direction of Enzo ...

, 1989–1995 * Ferrari 365 California Spyder, 1966–1967 * Ferrari 365 GTB/4 & GTS/4 "Daytona", 365 GTC/4, 365 GT4 2+2, 1970–1976 *

Ferrari Daytona SP3 The Ferrari Daytona SP3 is a limited production mid-engine sports car produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari, unveiled on 20 November 2021 for the 2023 model year. The Daytona SP3 is the latest in the "Icona" series of high-perform ...

, 2022 * Ferrari 400/412, 1976–1989 * Ferrari 456/456M, 1992–2003 *

Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer (BB) is series of sports cars produced by Ferrari in Italy between 1973 and 1984. The BB was designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina. The first BB model, the 365 GT4 BB, replaced the front engined Daytona and ...

, 1973–1984 *

Ferrari F355 The Ferrari F355 (Type F129) is a sports car manufactured by Italian car manufacturer Ferrari produced from May 1994 until 1999. The car is a heavily revised Ferrari 348 with notable exterior and performance changes. The F355 was succeeded by th ...

, 1994–1999 *

Ferrari F40 The Ferrari F40 (''tipo'' F120) is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car engineered by Nicola Materazzi with styling by Pininfarina. It was built from 1987 until 1992, with the LM and GTE race car versions continuing production until 1994 ...

, 1987–1992 *

Ferrari Mondial The Ferrari Mondial (Type F108) is a mid-engined, V8, grand tourer manufactured and marketed by Ferrari between 1980 and 1993 – with styling by Pininfarina and bodywork by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Offered as either a 2+2 coupé or cabriolet, t ...

, 1980–1995 * Ferrari Testarossa, 512TR, 1984–1994 * Fiat 125 Samantha, 1967 (a two-door coupé version of Fiat 125 built by

Vignale Vignale is the luxury car sub-brand of Ford Motor Company used in automobiles sold in Europe.Virginio Vairo Virginio Vairo is an Italian automobile designer who has collaborated with Carrozzeria Vignale. Designs * 1964 Fiat 1300 and 1500 Sportiva fastback. * 1964 Fiat 850 Coupé, Spider, Berlina (derived from Giovanni Michelotti designs). * 1965 Fiat ...

) * Fiat/Bertone X1/9, 1972–1989 * Ford/Mercury Capri, 1989–1994 * Ford Galaxie 500 XL, 1968–1970 *

Ford LTD (Americas) The Ford LTD (pronounced ) is a range of automobiles manufactured by Ford Motor Company for the 1965 to 1986 model years. Introduced as the highest trim level of the full-size Ford model range, then the Galaxie, the LTD offered options and featu ...

, 1968–1970; Landau, 1975–1978 (including

Ford Country Squire The Ford Country Squire is a series of full-size station wagons that were assembled by American automaker Ford. Positioned as the top-level station wagon of the Ford division, the Country Squire was distinguished by woodgrain bodyside trim. From ...

wagon) *

Ford LTD (Australia) Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...

, 1973–1976 *

Ford Landau Launched at the 1970 São Paulo Auto Show, the Ford Landau was a full-size car, manufactured in Brazil from 1971 until 1983 by Ford Brasil at their São Paulo facility. It became Ford's flagship in that country. It was based on the U.S. 1966 For ...

, 1973–1976 *

Ford Probe The Ford Probe is a liftback coupé produced by Ford, introduced in 1988 and produced until 1997. The Probe was the result of Ford's collaboration with its longtime Japanese partner Mazda, and both generations of Probe were derived from the front ...

, 1989–1997 *

Ford Ranchero The Ford Ranchero is a coupe utility that was produced by Ford between 1957 and 1979. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the Ranchero was adapted from a two-door station wagon platform that integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. A total o ...

GT, 1970–1971 *

Ford Thunderbird The Ford Thunderbird (colloquially called the T-Bird) is a personal luxury car produced by Ford from model years 1955 until 1997 and 2002 until 2005 across 11 distinct generations. Introduced as a two-seat convertible, the Thunderbird was pro ...

, 1967–1969, 1977–1982 *

Ford Torino The Ford Torino is an automobile that was produced by Ford Motor Company, Ford for the North American market between 1968 and 1976. It was a competitor in the mid-size car, intermediate market segment. The car was named after the city of Turin ( ...

Brougham, Cobra, GT 1970–1971 *

Geo Storm The Geo Storm is a sport compact car manufactured by Isuzu that was sold in the United States by Geo (automobile), Geo from 1990 until 1993. The same vehicles, with minor variations, were sold in Canada in the 1992 and 1993 model years only. ...

, 1990–1991 * Ginetta G4 Series IV (some models), 1981–1986 * Ginetta G23/24, 1981 * Ginetta G26/31, 1984–1986 * Ginetta G27 (updated version of G4 Series IV), 1986-1990 * Ginetta G32, 1989–1992 * Ginetta G33, 1991 * Grinnal TR8, 1990 * Hawk HF3000, 1988 *

Hofstetter Turbo The Hofstetter Turbo is a Brazilian car created in the 1980s by Mario Richard Hofstetter. In 1980 Hofstetter pulled out his drawing paper and started to draw a prototype of the car. Mario Hofstetter made this car at this time because the Brazilian ...

, 1986-1991 *

Honda Accord The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of cars manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States since 1989. ...

, 1986–1989 * Honda Ballade, 1984–1987 * Honda/Acura Integra/Rover 416, 1986–1989 * Honda/Acura NSX, 1990–2001 *

Honda Prelude The Honda Prelude is a car produced by Japanese car manufacturer Honda from 1978 until 2001. The two-door coupe was loosely derived from the Honda Accord, and spanned five generations. The Prelude was used by Honda to introduce the Japanese Honda r ...

, 1983–1991 *

Honda Vigor The is a premium sedan that was derived from the Honda Accord. It was sold in Japan through the '' Honda Verno'' dealer network from 1981 until 1995, and sold in North America from June 1991 (model year 1992) until 1994 as the Acura Vigor. Early ...

, 1986–1989 *

Imperial Imperial is that which relates to an empire, emperor, or imperialism. Imperial or The Imperial may also refer to: Places United States * Imperial, California * Imperial, Missouri * Imperial, Nebraska * Imperial, Pennsylvania * Imperial, Texa ...

, 1969–1975 and 1981–1983 * “Irish” Clan 1982 *

Isdera Imperator 108i The Isdera Imperator 108i was a low-volume German sports car produced from 1984 to 1993. The Imperator 108i was born out of the Mercedes-Benz CW311 concept car from 1978, which Eberhard Schulz, who at the time worked as a design engineer for Pors ...

, 1991–1993 (facelift model) * Iso Lele, 1969–1974 *

Iso Grifo ISO is the most common abbreviation for the International Organization for Standardization. ISO or Iso may also refer to: Business and finance * Iso (supermarket), a chain of Danish supermarkets incorporated into the SuperBest chain in 2007 * Iso ...

, 1965–1974 *

Isuzu Piazza The Isuzu Piazza is a small, sporty 3-door liftback coupé which was manufactured by Isuzu from 1981 until 1992 in two generations. The Isuzu Piazza was marketed as the Isuzu Impulse in North America and as the Holden Piazza in Australia. The ...

, 1981–1987 (also Isuzu Impulse, Holden Piazza) *

Jaguar XJ220 The Jaguar XJ220 is a two-seat sports car produced by British luxury car manufacturer Jaguar from 1992 until 1994, in collaboration with the specialist automotive and race engineering company Tom Walkinshaw Racing. The XJ220 recorded a top s ...

, 1992–1994 *

Kia Elan Lotus Elan is the name of two separate ranges of automobiles produced by Lotus Cars. The first series of cars was produced between 1962 and 1975 as a rear-wheel drive vehicle. The second series was produced between 1989 and 1995 as a front-wheel ...

, 1989–1995 (also sold as Lotus Elan) *

Lamborghini Countach The Lamborghini Countach () is a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini from 1974 until 1990. It is one of the many exotic designs developed by Italian design house Bertone, wh ...

, 1974–1990 *

Lamborghini Diablo The Lamborghini Diablo is a high-performance mid-engine sports car built by Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini between 1990 and 2001. It is the first production Lamborghini capable of attaining a top speed in excess of . After the end ...

, 1990–1998 *

Lamborghini Islero The Lamborghini Islero (, ) is a grand tourer produced by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 1968 and 1969. It was the replacement for the 400 GT and featured the Lamborghini V12 engine. The car debuted at the 1968 Geneva Auto Show. History ...

, 1968–1969 *

Lamborghini Jalpa The Lamborghini Jalpa () is a sports car produced by the Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini from 1981 until 1988. It debuted at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show alongside the Lamborghini LM001 concept off-road vehicle. The Jalpa was the last ...

, 1981–1988 * Lamborghini Jarama, 1970–1976 *

Lamborghini Urraco The Lamborghini Urraco is a 2+2 sports car manufactured by Italian automaker Lamborghini, introduced at the Turin Auto Show in 1970, marketed for model years 1972-1979, and named after a line of Miura-bred fighting bulls; the name translates to ...

, 1973–1979 *

, 1966–1973 *

Lamborghini Silhouette The Lamborghini Silhouette P300 is a two-door two-seat mid-engined rear-wheel drive sports car, that was made in small numbers by Lamborghini between 1976 and 1979. Officially presented at the 1976 Geneva Auto Show, the Silhouette began as a sty ...

, 1976–1979 *

Lancia Montecarlo The Lancia Montecarlo (Type 137) is a Pininfarina-designed mid-engined sports car produced by Lancia in Italy from 1975 to 1981. Cars from the first series, which were produced from 1975 to 1978, were known as Lancia Beta Montecarlos and those ...

, 1975–1979 (for Scorpion, North American version) *

Lancia Stratos The Lancia Stratos HF (''Tipo 829''), widely and more simply known as Lancia Stratos, is a rear mid-engined sports car designed for rally racing, made by Italian car manufacturer Lancia. The HF stands for ''High Fidelity''. It was a very successf ...

, 1972–1973 *, 1981-1987 *

Lincoln Continental The Lincoln Continental is a series of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars produced by Lincoln, a division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. The model line was introduced following the construction of a personal vehicle for Edse ...

, 1970–1979 *

Lister Storm The Lister Storm was a homologated GT racing car manufactured by British low volume automobile manufacturer Lister Cars with production beginning in 1993. The Storm used the largest V12 engine fitted to a production road car since World War ...

, 1993–1999 *

Lombardi Grand Prix The Lombardi Grand Prix is a small, rear-engined sports car on Fiat 850 underpinnings. It was developed by the Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi with an in-house design by Giuseppe Rinaldi. The car was built from 1968 until 1972 and was also marketed as ...

, 1968–1972 *

Lotus Eclat Lotus may refer to: Plants *Lotus (plant), various botanical taxa commonly known as lotus, particularly: ** ''Lotus'' (genus), a genus of terrestrial plants in the family Fabaceae **Lotus flower, a symbolically important aquatic Asian plant also ...

, 1974–1982 *

, 1962–1973 +2 model, 1967–1975 *

Lotus Elan M100 Lotus Elan is the name of two separate ranges of automobiles produced by Lotus Cars. The first series of cars was produced between 1962 and 1975 as a rear-wheel drive vehicle. The second series was produced between 1989 and 1995 as a front-wheel ...

1989–1995 (also sold as Kia Elan) *

Lotus Elite The Lotus Elite name has been used for two production vehicles and one concept vehicle developed and manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Lotus Cars. The first generation Elite Type 14 was produced from 1957 until 1963 and the second ...

, 1974–1982 *

, 1976–2004 *

Lotus Excel The Lotus Excel (Type 89) is a sports car designed and built by British automobile manufacturer Lotus Cars from 1982 to 1992. It is based on the design of the earlier Lotus Eclat, which itself was based on the earlier Lotus Type 75 Elite. ...

, 1982–1992 *

Manta Mirage Manta Cars was owned and operated by American brothers Brad and Tim LoVette, and was located in Costa Mesa, California, from 1974 to 1986 (Manta Cars moved their production facility and showroom to 2914 Halladay Avenue, Santa Ana, California around ...

, 1974–1986 *

Maserati Bora The Maserati Bora (Tipo AM117) is a mid-engine two-seat coupe manufactured by Maserati from 1971 to 1978. In common with other Maserati cars of the era, it is named after a wind, Bora being the wind of Trieste. The Bora ended Maserati's repu ...

, 1971–1980 *

Maserati Ghibli Maserati Ghibli is the name of three different cars produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati: the AM115, a V8 grand tourer from 1967 to 1973; the AM336, a V6 twin-turbocharged coupé from 1992 to 1998; and the M157, an executive s ...

, 1966–1973 * Maserati Indy, 1969–1974 *

Maserati Khamsin The Maserati Khamsin (''Tipo AM120'') is a grand tourer produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Maserati between 1974 and 1982. The Khamsin was sold alongside the DeTomaso-based Maserati Kyalami — also a V8 2+2 GT car - between 1976 an ...

, 1974–1982 *

Maserati Merak The Maserati Merak (''Tipo AM122'') is a mid-engined 2+2 sports car produced by Maserati between 1972 and 1983. The Merak was closely related to the Maserati Bora, sharing part of its structure and body panels, but was powered by a 3.0 L V6 in pl ...

, 1972–1982 *

Matra 530 The Matra M530 is a sports car created and built by the French engineering group Matra. Development In 1965 Matra's CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère decided to develop a successor to the Matra Djet that was more appealing to the non-racing public - a ...

, 1967–1973 * Matra Bagheera, 1973–1980 *

Matra Murena The Matra Murena is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car that was produced from 1980 through 1983 by the French engineering group Matra. The factory was located in the commune of Romorantin-Lanthenay in the department of Loir-et-Cher in ce ...

, 1980–1983 *

Mazda 626 __NOTOC__ Year 626 ( DCXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. The denomination 626 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar e ...

(dealer optional with Mazda Cosmo HB front-end for Indonesian market), 1987 * Mazda Cosmo/929 HB coupé, 1981–1989 * Mazda Familia Astina, marketed in Europe as the original 323F, 1989–1994 * Mazda MX-5/Miata NA, 1989–1997 *

Mazda RX-7 The Mazda RX-7 is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, rotary engine-powered sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1978 until 2002 across three generations, all of which made use of a compact, lightweight Wankel rotary engine. ...

, 1978–2002 *

Mercury Capri Capri (later Mercury Capri) is a nameplate marketed by the Lincoln-Mercury division of Ford Motor Company on three distinct series of automobiles between 1970 and 1994. From 1970 to 1978, the Capri was a sport compact marketed in North America ...

, 1991-1994 *

Mercury Cougar Mercury Cougar is a nameplate applied to a diverse series of automobiles sold by the Mercury division of Ford from 1967 to 1997 and from 1999 to 2002. While the nameplate is most commonly associated with two-door coupes, at various times during ...

, 1967–1970 *

1970–1971 *

Mercury Marauder The Mercury Marauder is an automobile nameplate that was used by three distinct full-size cars produced by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. Deriving its name from the most powerful engines available to the Mercury line, the Marauder wa ...

, 1969–1970 *

Mercury Marquis The Mercury Marquis is a model line of automobiles that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company from the 1967 to 1986 model years. Deriving its name from a French nobility title, the Marquis was introduced as a rebadged coun ...

, 1969–1978 *

Mercury Montego The Mercury Montego is a nameplate that was applied to three separate generations of vehicles marketed by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. Taking its name from Montego Bay, Jamaica, the nameplate made its first appearance for 1967 ...

MX, 1970–1971 * Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT, 1991–1993 *

Mitsubishi Eclipse The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a sport compact car that was produced by Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi in four generations from 1989 until 2011. A convertible body style was added during the 1996 model year. The first two generations share the autom ...

, 1990–1991 *

Mitsubishi Starion The Mitsubishi Starion is a two-door, turbocharged four-cylinder rear-wheel drive four-seat hatchback sports car manufactured and marketed by Mitsubishi from 1982-1989 — with badge engineered variants marketed in North America as the Conque ...

, 1982–1990 (also Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Conquest,

captive import Captive import is a marketing term and a strategy for a vehicle that is foreign-built and sold under the name of an importer or by a domestic automaker through its own dealer distribution system. The foreign vehicle may be produced by a subsidiar ...

s) * Monica 560, 1973–1974 * Monteverdi Hai 450 1970-1973 *

Nissan 180SX The Nissan 180SX is a fastback automobile that was produced by Nissan Motors between 1988 and 1998. It is based on the S13 chassis from the Nissan S platform with the variants receiving an R designation (ex. PS13 and RPS13), and was sold exclusiv ...

/ 200SX/ 240SX, 1989–1998 *

Nissan 300ZX The Nissan 300ZX is a sports car that was produced across two different generations. As with all other versions of the Z, the 300ZX was sold within the Japanese domestic market under the name Fairlady Z. It was sold in Japan from 1983 to 2000 a ...

Z31, 1984–1989 *

Nissan EXA The Nissan Pulsar EXA and Nissan EXA are automobiles manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motor Company from 1983 to 1986 and from 1986 to 1990 respectively. The first generation model was internally designated as the N12 series and was marketed i ...

, 1983–1990 *

Oldsmobile Toronado The Oldsmobile Toronado is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1966 to 1992 over four generations. The Toronado was noted for its transaxle version of GM's Turbo-Hydramatic transmission ...

, 1966–1969 and 1986–1992 *

Opel GT The Opel GT is a front-engine, rear-drive two-seat sports car manufactured and marketed by Opel in two generations — separated by a 34-year hiatus. The first generation Opel GT (1968 –1973) debuted as a styling exercise in 1965 at the Pa ...

, 1968–1973 *

Pangra The Pangra is an American kit car based on the Ford Pinto and produced from 1972–1973. The Pangra is the brainchild of Jack Stratton, then general sales manager at Huntington Ford in Arcadia, California. Production estimates vary but somewhere i ...

, 1972–1973 (based on Ford Pinto) *

Panther Solo The Panther Solo is a mid-engined sports car that was made by the British company Panther Car Company. It was available as a two-seat coupé, with the option of additional rear seats to make it a 2+2. SsangYong Motor Company, which had become t ...

, 1989–1990 *

Panther 6 The Panther 6 was a British six-wheel convertible produced by Panther in 1977. The car is powered by a mid-mounted Cadillac V8 engine with twin turbochargers paired to a three-speed automatic transmission. Only two cars were made (one in white ...

, 1976-1977 *

Plymouth Fury The Plymouth Fury is a model of automobile that was produced by Plymouth from 1955 until 1989. It was introduced for the 1956 model year as a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere, becoming a separate series one level above the contemporary Belved ...

, 1970–1971 (Gran Coupe & Sport Fury, Sport Suburban wagon for 1971) * Plymouth Fury III, 1972 (optional), Gran Coupe & Sport Fury *

Plymouth Laser The Plymouth Laser is a two-door 2+2 sports coupe sold by Plymouth from 1989 until 1994. The Laser and its siblings, the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eagle Talon, were the first vehicles produced under the newly formed Diamond-Star Motors, a joint-v ...

, 1990–1991 *

Plymouth Superbird The Plymouth Superbird is a highly modified, short-lived version of the Plymouth Road Runner with applied graphic images as well as a distinctive horn sound both referencing the popular ''Looney Tunes'' cartoon character the Road Runner. It was ...

, 1970 *

Pontiac Fiero The Pontiac Fiero is a mid-engine sports car manufactured and marketed by Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac for model years 1984-1988. Designed by George Milidrag and Hulki Aldikacti as a sports car, it was the first two-seater Pontiac (automobile) ...

, 1984–1988 *

Pontiac Firebird The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile that was built and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, five months after GM's Che ...

(including the Trans Am and Formula), 1982–2002 *

Pontiac Grand Prix The Grand Prix is a line of automobiles produced by the Pontiac Division of General Motors from 1962 until 2002 for coupes and 1989–2008 for sedans. First introduced as a full-size performance coupe for the 1962 model year, the model varied ...

, 1967–1968 *

Pontiac GTO The Pontiac GTO is an automobile that was manufactured by American automaker Pontiac from 1963 to 1974 for the 1964 to 1974 model years, and by GM's subsidiary Holden in Australia for the 2004 to 2006 model years. The first generation of the G ...

, 1968–1969 *

Pontiac Sunbird The Pontiac Sunbird (also known as the Pontiac J2000 and Pontiac 2000) is a model line that was manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from the 1976 to the 1994 model years. Loosely deriving its name from the Pontiac Firebird, the Sunbird was intr ...

SE/GT 1986–1993 *

Pontiac Tojan Pontiac may refer to: *Pontiac (automobile), a car brand *Pontiac (Ottawa leader) ( – 1769), a Native American war chief Places and jurisdictions Canada *Pontiac, Quebec, a municipality **Apostolic Vicariate of Pontiac, now the Roman Catholic Di ...

1985-1991 *

Porsche 911 The Porsche 911 (pronounced ''Nine Eleven'' or in german: Neunelfer) is a two-door 2+2 high performance rear-engined sports car introduced in September 1964 by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a rear-mounted flat-six engine and origin ...

Turbo SE 'Slantnose', 1985–1989, 964 Turbo S 'Flatnose', 1994 *

Porsche 914 The Porsche 914 or VW-Porsche 914 is a mid-engined sports car designed, manufactured and marketed collaboratively by Volkswagen and Porsche from 1969 until 1976. It was only available as a targa-topped two-seat roadster powered by either a ...

, 1969–1976 *

Porsche 924 The Porsche 924 is a sports car produced by Porsche in Neckarsulm, Germany,from 1976 until 1988. A two-door, 2+2 coupé, the 924 replaced the 912E and 914 as the company's entry-level model. Although the 928 was designed first, the 924 was t ...

, 1976–1988 * Porsche 928, 1978–1995 *

Porsche 944 The Porsche 944 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1982 until 1991. A front-engine, rear-wheel drive mid-level model based on the 924 platform, the 944 was available in coupé or cabriolet body styles, ...

, 1982–1991 *

Porsche 968 The Porsche 968 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche AG from 1991 until 1995. It was the final evolution of a series of water-cooled front-engine rear wheel drive models begun almost 20 years earlier with the ...

, 1991–1994 *

Quantum Sports Cars Quantum Sports Cars was founded by Mark and Harvey Wooldridge in 1987. Early models Quantum's first car was the Mark 1 hatchback (also referred to as the Mk 1 Coupé) which was based on the Ford Fiesta Mark 1. It reused all of the donor's mecha ...

2+2, 1993 * Reliant Scimitar SS1/SST/Sabre, 1984–1995 * Saab Sonett III, 1970–1974 * Saturn SC2, 1991–1996 *

Subaru XT The Subaru XT was a four-passenger, 2-door coupé manufactured and marketed by Subaru for model years 1985-1991, with a facelift in 1987. Assembly took place at Subaru's Yajima Plant in Ota, Japan and during its single generation, production rea ...

, 1985–1991 * Siata 208 CS, 1952-1954 (also known as 200 CS) *

Siva S160 Spyder The Siva S160 Spyder is an automobile which was produced during the 1970s in Great Britain by Siva Motor Car Company, Siva Engineering.Mike Lawrence, A-Z of Sports Cars : 1945 to 1993, page 284 Conceived as a Hillman Imp-engined Grand Tour ...

, 1971-1973 * Spectre R42, 1995-1998 * Škoda 1100 GT, 1970 * Škoda 110 Super Sport, 1971 * Tatra MTX V8, 1991 *

Toyota 2000GT The Toyota 2000GT is a limited-production Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout#Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door, two-seat sports car/grand tourer designed by Toyota in collaboration with Yam ...

, 1967–1970 *

Toyota Celica The is an automobile produced by Toyota from 1970 until 2006. The Celica name derives from the Latin word '' coelica'' meaning 'heavenly' or 'celestial'. In Japan, the Celica was exclusive to the ''Toyota Corolla Store'' dealer chain. Produce ...

, 1984–1993 *

Toyota MR2 The Toyota MR2 is a line of two-seat, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports cars manufactured in Japan and marketed globally by Toyota from 1984 until 2007 over three generations: W10 (1984–1989), W20 (1989–1999) and W30 (2000–2007). It ...

, 1984–1999 * Toyota Sprinter Trueno/Corolla coupé, 1983–1991 *

Toyota Supra is a sports car and grand tourer manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation beginning in 1978. The name "supra" is derived from the Latin prefix, meaning "above", "to surpass" or "go beyond". The initial four generations of the Supra were pr ...

, 1982–1992 * Toyota Tercel/Corolla II/Corsa SR/SV/SX/GP Turbo, 1986–1990 *

Triumph TR7 The Triumph TR7 is a sports car manufactured in the United Kingdom from September 1974 to October 1981 by British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), which changed its name to British Leyland (BL) in 1975. The car was launched in the United Stat ...

TR8 The Triumph TR8, eight-cylinder version of the "wedge-shaped" Triumph TR7 sports car was designed by Harris Mann and manufactured by British Leyland (BL), through its Jaguar/Rover/Triumph (JRT) division. Because of its outstanding performance, ...

, 1975–1982 * TVR 350i, 350SX, 1983–1989 *

TVR 350SE The TVR 350SE was a sports car designed and built by TVR starting in 1990 and ending in 1991. In 1990 TVR Engineering Limited produced a limited production run of 25 specially prepared 350's to mark the end of the era heralded by the ...

, 1990–1991 * TVR 390SE, 420SE, 1984–1989 * TVR 400SE, 400SX, 430SE, 450SE, 1988–1991 *

TVR 420 SEAC The TVR 420 SEAC is a sports car designed and built by TVR between 1986 and 1988. and is the top of the TVR Tasmin "wedge" family. The SEAC models can be distinguished by the large rear spoiler and the rounder nose. The 420 SEAC was developed ...

, 1986–1988 * TVR 450 SEAC, 1988–1989 * TVR Tasmin, 280i, Tasmin 200, 1980–1988 * Venturi 400 GT 1994–1997 * Venturi Atlantique, 1987–1999 * Venturi Coupé series/Transcup, 1987–1996 *

Volvo 480 The Volvo 480 is a sporty compact car that was produced in Born, Netherlands, by Volvo from 1986 to 1995. It was the first front-wheel drive car made by Volvo and the only Volvo featuring pop-up headlights. The 480 was available in only one body ...

, 1986–1995 *

Vector M12 The Vector M12 is a sports car manufactured by Vector Aeromotive under parent company Megatech, and was the first car produced after the hostile takeover of the company from Jerry Wiegert by the Indonesian company Megatech. The model was produ ...

, 1995–1999 *

Vector W8 The Vector W8 is a sports car produced by American automobile manufacturer Vector Aeromotive Corporation from 1989 to 1993. It was designed by company founder and chief designer Gerald Wiegert while receiving refinements by Vector's head of eng ...

, 1989–1993 * Yulon Arex, 1993–1995 * Zimmer Quicksilver, 1986–1990

Concept cars

Alfa Romeo Caimano The Alfa Romeo Caimano is a concept car designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign and presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1971. The car is exhibited at the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo. Design The Caimano features many unconventional design el ...

, 1971 *

Alfa Romeo Carabo The Alfa Romeo Carabo is a concept car first shown at the 1968 Paris Motor Show. It was designed by Marcello Gandini, working for the Bertone design studio. The ''Carabo'' name is derived from the ''Carabidae'' beetles, as evoked by the car's i ...

, 1968 * Alfa Romeo Delfino, 1983 *

Alfa Romeo Iguana The Alfa Romeo Iguana is a concept car produced by Alfa Romeo in 1969. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign. Background The car was previewed at the Sport Car Show in Monza and presented officially at the Turin Auto Show in 1969. ...

, 1969 * AMC AMX/3, 1970 *

Aston Martin Bulldog The Aston Martin Bulldog, styled by William Towns, is a British, one-off concept vehicle produced by Aston Martin in 1979. The code name for the project was DP K901. Initially, a production run of 15–25 cars was planned, but the project was ...

, 1980 * Autozam AZ-550 Type A, 1989 *

Avion Avion may refer to: * Avion, the French and Spanish name for airplane (powered fixed-wing aircraft); coming from Latin "avis" (bird). Same family as "aviation" ** Avion II and Avion III by Clément Ader * Avion (band) * Avion (car) * Avion, Pas-de ...

1984 * BMW 830i/850i Cabrio/M8 (E31) *

BMW GINA The GINA Light Visionary Model is a fabric-skinned shape-shifting sports car concept built by BMW. GINA stands for "Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptions".

, 2008 * Buick Y-Job, 1938 * Chevrolet Aerovette, 1969-1976 * Chevrolet CERVIII, 1990 *

Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT The Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT (XP-777) was a mid-engined experimental prototype automobile built in 1962 and based on the early model Chevrolet Corvair series. As it was essentially a concept car, the Monza GT did not enter production. Design a ...

, 1962 * Chevrolet Mako Shark, 1962 * Covini B24 *

Dome Zero The was a prototype sports car from Dome (constructor), DOME Co. Ltd that was exhibited at the 48th Geneva Auto Show#1978, Geneva Auto Show in 1978. The Dome project was started by Minoru Hayashi in 1975, with the goal of producing sports cars usi ...

, 1976–1986 * Ferrari 408 4RM, 1987-1988 *Ferrari Rainbow, 1976 *Ford Cobra 230 M.E., 1986 *Ford Probe I, 1979 *

Ford Maya The Ford Maya is a concept car designed and built by Italdesign for Ford. It debuted in 1984 at the Turin Motor Show. History The Maya was designed to test the waters for a 2-seater, targa top sports car for the U.S. market. Ford had planned t ...

, 1984 *

, 1951 *

General Motors XP-819 The XP-819 was a one-off concept car, developed by General Motors in 1965, to test a rear engine configuration for the Chevrolet Corvette. Design The body was designed by Larry Shinoda, designer of the 1963 Sting Ray Split Window Coupe and the C ...

* Ginetta G25, 1983 *

Holden Hurricane The Holden Hurricane is a two-seat concept car built by Holden in 1969. The Hurricane was one of the most advanced vehicles of its time, with Holden describing it as a research vehicle, allowing them "to study design trends, propulsion systems a ...

, 1969 *Jaguar XJ Spider Pininfarina, 1978 *Karmann Cheetah, 1971 *

Lamborghini Athon The Lamborghini Athon is a concept car designed by Bertone for Lamborghini. Performance capabilities and features The Lamborghini Athon is capable of being driven and is a fully functional production concept car. Under the hood of the Lamborgh ...

, 1980 * Lamborghini Bravo, 1974 *

Lamborghini Marco Polo The Lamborghini Marco Polo, or Italdesign Marco Polo, was a styling exercise by Italdesign Giugiaro. Introduced in 1982 at the Bologna Motor Show, the Marco Polo was inspired by the Lancia Medusa concept car designed by Italdesign two years prior. ...

, 1982 *

Lamborghini P140 The Lamborghini P140 is a code name given to a series of prototype cars built by Lamborghini starting in 1987. It was intended as a replacement for the outgoing Jalpa but never went into production, despite being close to production ready due t ...

, 1987 *

Lancia Medusa The Lancia Medusa is an Italian concept vehicle built by Lancia. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and debuted in 1980 at the Turin Auto Show. Specifications The Medusa is based on the chassis and mechanics of the Lancia Montecarlo, and ...

, 1980 *Lancia Mizar, 1974 *

Lancia Sibilo The Lancia Sibilo is a 1978 concept car designed and built by Bertone, and based on the production Lancia Stratos, but 4 inches longer. The car's main characteristics were its sharp, aerodynamic lines and polycarbonate windows. Like other Bert ...

, 1978 *Lincoln Quicksilver Ghia concept, 1983 * Lotus Etna, 1984 *

Lotus M90 The Lotus M90 (sometimes referred to as the Lotus X100) is a concept car that was developed by Lotus using many Toyota parts. Rumors were circulated that it was the initial design for the MKI MR2, but, though sharing an engine, it bears very ...

, 1984 *

Mako Shark ''Isurus'' is a genus of mackerel sharks in the family Lamnidae, commonly known as the mako sharks. Description The two living species are the common shortfin mako shark (''I. oxyrinchus'') and the rare longfin mako shark (''I. paucus''). They ...

* Maserati Boomerang, 1972 * MVS Ventury, 1984–1986 *

Mazda Miata Miata can refer to * The Mazda MX-5 Miata The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-passenger roadster sports car manufactured and marketed by Mazda with a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The convertible is marketed as the or in Japan, ...

M Coupe/Roadster, 1997 *

Mazda MX-5 (NA) The Mazda MX-5 (NA) (sold in Japan as the and in North America as the Mazda MX-5 Miata) is the first generation of the Mazda MX-5 manufactured from 1989 to 1997. Inspired by the post-war era British sports cars, the MX-5 rejuvenated intere ...

Electric car, 1993 * Mazda P729, 1986 * Mazda V705, 1985 *Mazda MX-81 Aria, 1981 *

Concept Model (FD), 1993 *

Mercedes-Benz C111 The Mercedes-Benz C111 was a series of experimental automobiles produced by Mercedes-Benz in the 1960s and 1970s. The company was experimenting with new engine technologies, including Wankel engines, diesel engines, and turbochargers, and u ...

, 1969–1970 *MG Boxer, 1978 *

MG EX-E The MG EX-E is a concept car that was produced by MG and presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1985. The EX-E was a mid-engined sports car inspired by the Ferrari 308 and designed by Roy Axe and Gerry McGovern. The car's drivetrain and cha ...

, 1985 *

Nissan 126X The Nissan 126X is a concept car built by Nissan in 1970. Design The 126X features an angular, wedge design like many other concept cars of the time. It has a strip of lights along the hood that light up with either 3 red, 2 yellow, or 5 gre ...

, 1970 *

Nissan MID4 The MID4 was an experimental sports car produced by Nissan. History First unveiled at the 1985 International Motor Show Germany, the MID4 was a concept car designed by Nissan to originally go on sale in the mid-late 1980s. Nissan had aimed the MID ...

, 1985–1987 * Toyota FXV, 1985 * Toyota SA-X, 1981 * Toyota SV-2, 1981 * Toyota SV-3, 1983 *Tracer TXC, 1985 * Vauxhall XVR, 1966 *

Vector WX-3 The Avtech WX-3 is a prototype sports car engineered, developed and manufactured by Vector Motors of Wilmington, California in 1992. Conceived by Vector Motors founder and chief designer Gerald Wiegert as a successor to the W8.Volvo Tundra, 1979 *Zender Vision 1S, 1983 *Zender Vision 2, 1985 *Zender Vision 3, 1987 *Zender Vision 3C, 1986 *Dacia MD87, 1988 *

Dacia MD87 Evo Dacia (, ; ) was the land inhabited by the Dacians, its core in Transylvania, stretching to the Danube in the south, the Black Sea in the east, and the Tisza in the west. The Carpathian Mountains were located in the middle of Dacia. It thus r ...

, 1990

Race cars

Rover-BRM The Rover-BRM was a prototype gas turbine-powered racing car, jointly developed in the early 1960s by the British companies Rover and British Racing Motors (BRM). The car is part of the collection at the British Motor Museum. Rover had already ...

Other vehicles with hidden headlamps

;

Motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

s *

Honda is a Japanese public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and power equipment, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, reaching a product ...

Spacy 125 Striker, 1983–1986 *

Suzuki is a Japan, Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs ...

GSX750S (

Katana A is a Japanese sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. Developed later than the ''tachi'', it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge fa ...

), 1984–1985 ;Trains *Keisei Electric Railway Keisei AE100 series, AE100 (Skyliner), 1990–2016

Gallery

File:Cord Front Drive Model 812 (1937).jpg, 1937 Cord 812 File:Buick Y.jpg, 1938 Buick Y-Job File:1942 DeSoto Custom (4148147080).jpg, 1942 DeSoto convertible File:1967 Green Ford Thunderbird Fordor.jpg, 1967

File:'68 Chevrolet (Auto classique A&W Châteauguay '12).JPG, 1968

sedan File:Dodge Charger RT 1968.Front.jpg, 1968 Dodge Charger RT File:Skoda1100gt.jpg, 1970 Škoda 1100 GT File:Opel GT 2012-09-01 14-23-06.JPG, 1972

File:Sonett-popups.jpg, 1973 Saab Sonett#Sonett III, SAAB Sonett III File:BMWM-M1.jpg, 1978 BMW M1 File:1986 Toyota MR2 1.6 Twin Cam 16V.jpg, 1986

File:Mazda 323 F BG GT 1989.jpg, 1989 Mazda 323F File:1990 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo headlights.jpg, 1990

File:Tatra MTX front.JPG, 1991 Tatra MTX V8 File:Volvo480 TwoTone.JPG, 1992

File:Chevrolet Corvette C5 5.7 '04 (14275476700).jpg, 2004

References

External links

* {{Artificial light sources Auto parts Automotive lamps Automotive styling features

History

Discontinuation

List of cars with hidden headlamps

Production cars

Concept cars

Race cars

Other vehicles with hidden headlamps

Gallery

See also

References

External links