The Tragic Fall of Pop-Up Headlights

[@GleepGlop2]

I kinda understood when pop up headlights went away but now with the brick wall pickup truck grilles it makes no sense. I literally jumped over the hood of a car with pop up headlights that was about to hit me. Not doing that against a pickup truck these days.

[@-Eternal-Damnation-]

Yeah compared to the tank sized pickups it just seems ridiculous.

[@IiiiIiiIllIl]

And they almost always have their headlights adjusted to blind anyone who isn't also in a giant ass pickup. I hate led headlights because it literally blinds me when they're driving towards me and nobody cares enough to pass a law saying they NEED to be adjusted to not blind people.

[@michaelg4931]

Modern pickups, yeah. Then you go to a whole other level with that abortion that is the Cyber 'Truck'.

[@IiiiIiiIllIl]

@@michaelg4931 oh god yea, XD there are still people bricking their cyber "trucks" by driving them through shallow mud 🤣 couldn't imagine paying that much for a "truck" that is worse than trucks from 40 years ago.

[@jamespallister2031]

Regardless of size as long as they are smooth and have those pedestrian airbags it’s comparatively better

[@BradThePitts]

Popup headlights can't be any more dangerous to pedestrians than the front of a Tesla Cybertruck.

[@howebrad4601]

Isn't that the truth!!!!!

[@scottdelong1]

Man, pickups in general, with their high bluff fronts are dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists. But that hideous Cyber Truck, with it's sharp, unyielding edges, is a horror. Can't sell them in Europe because of this.

[@camelsouttahere.]

@@scottdelong1 Europe is smart to have avoided that thing

[@jmirsp4z]

yeah but nobody is ever going to drive a cybertruck

[@Cats_Are_Scary]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[@therwfer]

80s car design: "People anthropomorphize cars, let's give them more character and expression" 20s car design: "If you get into an argument with another car, you will win"

[@user-os2rp5mg5b]

You articulated this so perfectly and it hurts how true it is!!

[@VanderJam]

Owned an 87 Toyota Celica back in the late 90s. I genuinely smiled every time I turned on the headlights. It never got old.

[@kivaHBRO_04]

I think the realest statement is “Each Car has a face” one important thing about a car is their personality. I feel like why that’s why we were so attracted to certain cars. Same with the cyclops motorcycles.

[@justkittensbeingkittens5892]

The pareidolia is strong. I love me a goofy lookin goober

[@liamgould6524]

While environmental and pedestrian safety regulations absolutely played a part in the untimely death of the popup headlight, one regulation (or lack thereof) was overlooked; sealed beam requirements. Prior to 1984, every US-spec car required sealed beams, so manufacturers were forced to find some way of either integrating or hiding the giant (often unsightly) square or round glass units away. The allowance of form fitting composite headlamps meant there was less need for popups.

[@OZJBlank]

Considering how obscenely bright and blinding headlights are these days, I think it's time to bring back sealed beams or something similar.

[@lb9gta307]

Important to note that they also couldn't put a secondary lense over the sealed beam. So even when they designed a sleak low profile front end, without pop ups, the headlights were little parachutes.

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

@@OZJBlank I'm not sure they went away. "Sealed beam" just means that the lighting element, reflector, and glass cover were sealed together as one unit. They type of lighting element doesn't matter, so if LED lights are constructed this way, they're sealed beam as well.

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

It's not mentioned explicitly in this video, but another federal regulation played a part: Headlights have to be a certain distance off the ground. Pop-ups not only let you hide unsightly lighting elements, but you could lower the nose of the car. You'll notice that the pop-ups in this video sit high above the fender line when they're up.

[@BudderPlayzz]

The Toyota 2000GT is one of the most gorgeous cars and it looks so cool when the lights are up too. They actually look like eyes!

[@MorganRambo723]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="382">6:22</a> I used to own this exact model Rx7. Best handling car I’ve ever driven. Super easy to control. Getting it sideways with the top down on an old sand backroad in Louisiana is something I’ll never forget.

[@user-os2rp5mg5b]

The NSX being "very demure, very mindful" is so correct

[@sumonedum]

The more I watch Bart's vids, the more I feel his TRUE hobby is book collecting

[@Mrcoolmister1]

I used to own a 95 miata, hitting that headlight button every time I passed another miata was simply perfect

[@roscoechance5155]

The old chargers and cougars looked great with the hidden headlights- all grille

[@Mooselover1011]

I love the pop ups on my Celica All-Trac. Makes me feel like I'm playing Gran Turismo when I drive at night.

[@Orangutanfella]

How do you adjust them mine are facing different directions and I can't figure out how to fix it ?

[@michaelleoanrd194]

People like blaming the pedestrian safety, but I think they really discount how crappy cars looked with broken popup headlights. They're repairable of course but the pop mechanism would break well before the light and owners would rig the lights to stay up with varying degrees of competence. I remember seeing a Prelude with bungee cords holding its lights open, cars with duct taped pop ups, etc. It made cars look really crappy in the long run and the lights got a reputation for being unreliable.

[@lb9gta307]

I don't think they really get that since an odd number of people these days leave their pop ups in the up position all the time. They're great on fair weather toys but not so much for year round dailies, at least in places that get ice and snow.

[@OCDRex11]

I have owned an NA Miata and loved it. I currently own on of the last two cars to have pop-ups, a 2004 Corvette Z06. A couple weeks ago I showed the popups to my friend and his kids. They went nuts. lol

[@webheadwonder9597]

Just got an 01 Trans Am - my first pop-up headlight car. It's an exciting feature in terms of it instantly changing the character of the car at the turn of a dial. Like it's sleeping, waiting for a worthy adversary

[@ibeaman]

I don't think pedestrian saftey is that important we should bring back pop ups

[@halfemptyfox]

considering our suvs I don't think we care enough to warrant the removal of popups

[@daleolson3506]

Bring back hood ornaments so we can stick them on like ships kabob

[@PlatinumNath]

​​@@halfemptyfox ban bigass SUVs and trucks instead or atleast add a secondary license requirement for heavy vehicle operation for really big pickup trucks. They literally block the road view worse than an Isuzu work truck. Popup headlights could stay enough

[@chaserA971]

​@@PlatinumNath giving up your freedom is never the answer. More regulation is what's killing our country

[@PlatinumNath]

@@chaserA971 then maybe have regulations of small(er) cars and trucks be more sensible to discourage buying big cars needlessly. A 80s/90s Ranger is almost half the size of a modern Ranger that loopholes the regulation made by the round table council of old men, it's insanity. The current regulations literally makes people mindset go "Cadillac Escalade with terrible fuel economy, barely any cargo space compared to a minivan or station wagon, and size so big it doesn't fit in an average home garage?! Not intereste-waaaaait it's cheaper? Sure I'll take 2!"

[@richardpierce342]

Opel gt was the best, manually opened with the drivers side lever

[@tankermottind]

Forbidden by pedestrian safety standards: pop-up headlights Allowed by pedestrian safety standards: building-sized truck fascias capable of hiding an entire kindergarten class in the blind spot

[@NaisanSama]

Only a matter of time an accident occures and forces them to shrink

[@P.Galore]

I LOVE my 1994 BMW 840ci...it is STILL one of the most beautiful coupes ever made almost 30 years later.

[@blacksongoku312]

The F40 and my dad's old '88 accord lx-i were some of my favorites of the pop-ups

[@SubArchitectDJ]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="737">12:17</a> Did consumers start to prefer sleek designs over pop-ups, or is that just what was available and forced upon them?

[@tsoliot5913]

People kind of did. Theu seemed gauche and flamboyant after the 80s and early 90s. muted, and retro styles came into vogue for a while before the bombastic late 90s, and that's when they went away. They were also seen as a maintenance liability. Everyone knew a guy who had pip ups that didn't work and it made them look... trashy. No chance of that with discrete headlights.

[@sathalel4084]

all preferences are trends especially especially in sports cars. Performance vehicles are basically fashion to most people. So yes and no.

[@Circa88]

I own an 88 Honda Prelude 2.0Si, and I love my pop ups. They just make the car so much better. The inclusion of the 3G Prelude in this video did not go unnoticed.

[@chumanho]

One byproduct of the pop-up headlights is that they make it easier to judge where exactly the front corners of the car are when they're up.

[@LeonVisnaw]

I currently own a 93 Miata and have been slowly restoring it. I also owned a 79 Mazda Rx7.

[@TOAD69500]

Fun fact: because of US headlight regulations there was actually one car (I know of, there might be more) that had pop-up only in the US, or at least they had planned to. That being the Renault Alpine GTA V6 from 1984 which originally had headlights integrated into the body. But the US spec was gonna have pop-ups, they planned to release it in 1986 but because of extra changes and developments that needed to be done they pushed it back and planned to introduce it in mid-1987 instead. But Renault pulled out of the US market before that deadline could be reached. So only a handful of already built pre-series models were sold in France to special selected buyers.

[@nullc0ntext]

Love your videos man, keep on keeping on!

[@coilstrike]

Great video man one of your best

[@nathangehman7018]

I have a 1988 300zx, aka the Z31, and the pop up headlights is one of the main reasons I decided to get this car.

[@keilan7896]

Drove my father's 1986 Celica GT-S back in 04' right after highschool. Loved the pop-ups. But the car had an oil & trans fluid leak and I had to move on. It will be missed

[@matteinbelbon3553]

Cool! I'm 19 and i'm currently driving a '89 Celica 2.0 GT. I also love the pop-ups, oh and it's leaking oil too 😅

[@keilan7896]

@@matteinbelbon3553 Lol. That's wassup. I was your age when I was driving it. 38 now. Keep that classic running for as long as you can!

[@SlapStyleAnims]

@@matteinbelbon3553Lucky

[@matteinbelbon3553]

@@keilan7896 I will try to, aside from the leaks it has been a very reliable car, and hopefully it will be for a long time

[@terrencerobinson2799]

My favorite pop-up headlight car is the ‘86 to ‘89 Honda Accord. Look out over the hood, feels like a Prelude. Look in the rear view mirror, whoa there’s 4 doors back there!!

[@jamesmancuso3666]

my favorite pop up headlight design was the opel gt although they were manually operated

[@RandokatTheOnion]

If we have cars so tall we can’t see children standing up infront of them I think popups won’t hurt

[@redline1916]

They banned popups for the sake of regulation ONLY. If they really cared about pedestrian safety you wouldn't have cars with angles as sharp as a damn knife now among many, MANY other things.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

There are no pedestrian safety regulations in America.

[@PJulianC]

Or trucks stupidity big

[@Masamus22]

I currently have a 944 turbo and I love the pop up headlights on it it’s just another reason to love 70s and 8s cars

[@the_duckzilla5521]

Pop ups can’t be at all more dangerous than 4ft high front bumpers

[@stepha5926]

They aren't - he's simply lying.

[@ericcarabetta1161]

The 512M was such an abomination. It was a weird mishmash of two different design eras and it just didn’t work together.

[@staffy73]

1 miura had lay back headlights before 928. 2 C4 headlights always opened rearward although made a 180 degree flip. It’s right there. YOU showed it and still got it wrong.

[@stepha5926]

Exactly, he's clueless. And he got the fundamental point of the video wrong as well... he - like every other "content creator" - has no idea why pop-ups disappeared. So they make up a lie, that sounds believable.

[@thedarkdot2977]

Bro you can’t open the video by saying it’s 2004 while showing the twin towers

[@RUDOLPHO24]

He said 1984 lol

[@crazzypanda1176]

He said September 10th 2001

[@michaelbutkus4790]

The roll forward headlights on my 84 C4 Corvette are my favorite thing about the car

[@marinanieto7670]

Get the cute headlights back🗣️‼️

[@scottdelong1]

Remember when Fieros were still on the road? After they had been out for a few years it seemed like every single one had one pop-up headlight open, one closed. As though the shit boxes were always winking at me.

[@DEVILTAZ35]

I had a 1985 Mazda 929 Coupe with pop up lights and it was in a minor crash that broke one of those lights. It was an absolute nightmare to have it set properly again in the housing and from then on it would never pop up properly again. They look amazing but not worth all the hassle. Besides modern cars have pedestrian pop up bonnet protection operated by a gas strut and fully integrated lights are much better for aerodynamics anyway.

[@groovefunkel]

I fell in love with the first generation MR2 in H.S. To me, it looked so futuristic, the headlights being part of that appeal. Since H.S., I've owned a 1988, 1991, and 1993 MR2. I currently own a 1991 NSX....coming up on my 20 year anniversary. People comment on the popups all the time. Great episode!

[@nbpgd4120]

I own a 1994 Mazda Mx-5 and the popup hedlights are such an amazing feature. There's no way that car companies are bringing them back and it's such a shame dude.

[@stephenmitchell3569]

1970 Opel Gt spin from the side per lever inside...cool cable driven ...

[@anderswenell2765]

Pop up headlights are 100% less dangerous or deadly than the completely unnecessary brick wall fronts of trucks and suvs

[@stepha5926]

That is absolutely correct, and is proof that this guy (just like every other content creator) is simply *lying* about why pop-ups disappeared. They don't know; so they make up something that sounds believable. And everybody believes them, and then it gets pushed around as "fact" when in fact it's a lie.

[@thndr_5468]

Idk i feel like the little lights are the least of our concerns today for pedestrian safety

[@Khamzes]

I have a 85 Fiero GT and love the pop ups. It was a bit of a pain to rebuild the motors and get them in good working order again, but well worth the effort. My son really loves them too, I have to stop him from raising and lowering them after a few cycles to spare the poor motors and battery else he'd gladly click the button all day.

[@notreallydaedalus]

The first car I ever bought was a 1987 Mazda RX-7 (2nd gen) with pop-up headlights. They were awesome. A little bit of a pain to replace... there was some sort of ritual I no longer remember that you had to go through to get them to stay open while powered off. I had a continuous fear of them failing... by the late '90s when I owned Ol' Rex, there were a lot of RX-7s driving around with permanently open pop-ups. Aside from mechanical failures, the early 2nd-gen models were notorious for electrical gremlins. Lots of cold solder joints cracking and failing. I never knew if my sunroof was going to close on a given day, or if the windshield wipers were going to work. And yet, I effing LOVED that car.

[@buckypeterson1018]

My first with pop-ups was a 1981 RX-7 which was followed by a 1987 MR2. Both crazy wonderful cars to drive. Still have a 1991 Prelude in our garage. Love the look of parking lights on but pop-ups still down, and turning on the headlights at dusk brings out the kid in me.

[@ChrisRob509]

88 Honda Accord with pop-up headlights - Best car I've ever owned. It was a carbureted model (LX I think), when you opened the hood it looked like there were three miles of vacuum lines over top of the engine. Didn't matter though, never had to do any repairs, just routine maintenance.

[@oyesuken]

As cool as the Vintage Opel GT looks overall, it is still the roll over of the headlights that creates the most jaw drops at gatherings. Surprised that you missed that one. Enjoyed the video a lot, even if I awaited with anticipation the whole way through.

[@ドリフト180X]

Pedestrian safety? Have they not seen modern trucks and SUVs? The fronts of those things are so tall, like rolling apartments. I’m sure everyone has seen that picture of the kid standing in front of the truck and the top of their head doesn’t even reach the hood of the truck. How are pop up headlights any less safe than that?!

[@stepha5926]

They aren't. He's a moron just making up lies that sound believable. These "content creators" all do this. Pop-ups disappearing has *absolutely nothing* to do with safety! Yet all these content creators say that's the reason they went away. 🙄 And they never actually provide *one shred of evidence* to back that up. No-one ever questions them because it sounds believable.

[@JoseCastro-sc4pm]

I used to own a 944, and pop ups where an integral part of the experience. Though the best history I have about the headlights came from the guy I bought the car from. He literally killed the battery of the car when he got it playing with the headlights.

[@GriffinJeffers-wo8nw]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="479">7:59</a> STOP STOP STOP STOP

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

Lol

[@EternityofNight]

I had two cars back to back with popup lamps: 1977 Lincoln Continental town car, then 1987 Acura Integra. Both amazing cars.

[@mikecarll8596]

I currently own a C5 Corvette and a third generation Trans Am. I'm a big pop-up headlight fan.

[@999benhonda]

I owned an 89 accord lxi...4dr with pop ups, metallic flake maroon. A very nice looking 4dr. I removed the leaking power steering pump, advanced the distributor and a couple other small mods. If I could find one today in good condition, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[@mr_offwall]

Your last point was perfect. Sports cars are not supposed to be practical. They are loud, drink gas, compact, but most of all they are FUN. Who cares about the normal market? These cars have their own unique personality, why conform them all to be so similar.

[@Solrac924]

i owned 2 cars with pop-up headlights: a '79 Rx-7 very similar to @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="368">6:08</a> & a '77 Corvette. i loved the feature

[@atr007808]

1986 Honda Prelude, 1988 Prelude Si and a 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX T-top. I had 3 great cars with pop ups when I was young. And everyone survived 😊

[@Orangutanfella]

I just bought a 1990 celica. Specifically because of the pop up headlights. Fun little car.

[@howebrad4601]

Just the idea that something as simple as the headlights move and are mechanical is cool. I've got pop-ups on 91 prelude, 84 Corvette, 84 fiero, and hidden lights on my 76 continental

[@MostlyHuman]

My dad had a Chrysler Conquest TSi (a.k.a. Mitsubishi Starion) and I loved messing with the pop-up headlights on it! With some imagination it was like activating KITT's Super Pursuit mode. The angular edges of the car also complimented the hard square edges of the sealed beam lamps.

[@mecadragoon]

pop ups are amazing so sad we cant get them anymore

[@mat13174]

Had an 88 Celica GT and 89 Accord LXI coupe with the pop up headlights. Always thought they were a cool feature 👍

[@GeraldBradshaw-j2t]

I loved the roll-over cable operated headlights on my Opel GT

[@FirebirdDude]

I love my '84 Trans Am and '90 Corvette ZR-1. Partially due to their epic flip up headlights!

[@rogerking7258]

I've always wondered what it is about aerodynamics that means they no longer matter when it gets dark.

[@greg_austin]

Had a '67 Cougar with hide-away headlights that resembled the grille teeth. Great car with a 289 and C4.

[@JustJayGaming]

Really enjoy your channel, was scared after the Tesla video it would be just another negativity hell. And Pop Up Lights are glorious.

[@MXCoriginal]

I only own and drive cars with popup headlights

[@nitrousoxide69]

Jaguar XJ220 had one of the wildest headlights

[@dasraffnix9471]

Safety is important, so here is a question for you: Is a car with pop-ups really that much more dangerous than a 2.5 ton truck? I.e. if I don't get my treats, why should truck guys get theirs? #banf150

[@jonathanmorrisey5771]

Four different 1967-69 Mercury Cougars with the garage door hidden headlights and I currently have a '86 Corvette coupe.

[@nxd7586]

The popups were a good reason why I bought a c4 corvette

[@Iliadic]

My first *good* exposure to pop-up headlights was Initial D, with the Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86.

[@katzicael]

I had Two 3rd Gen JDM Honda Preludes in my life, one got stolen and I replaced it with another. Both Si models. I LOVED it's headlights, they were reliable (its a Honda, not a chevy after all), and I'll gladly take some wind noise at night to have them back.

[@camelsouttahere.]

How are these banned and the cybertruck allowed?

[@stepha5926]

Because they're *not banned* - this guy is lying.

[@chrisito245]

The late 80s Supra headlights were fun to use.

[@positrondesign6514]

I had a 1993 Ford Probe GT. I installed rally lights so I could drive at night with the headlights down.

[@jeremyramirez9150]

I miss my multiple SW20 MR2s with pop ups. I remember a few times when I popped them up, onlookers would mouth, damn thats cool. I regret selling those 3 beauties 😢

[@BFSilenceDogood]

The mid 60's Riviera clam shell lights were the coolest

[@MrCoalmin]

You should have sang the song

[@WindsEternal]

Lol I have two cars with popups: a 76 Vette and an 80 TR7. Both still work great!

[@ScrimmyBingus42]

Galaxy brain idea: pop up taillights and turn signals

[@ramonrivera1218]

Yes. I had a ford probe😂

[@yz250ftony]

The C5 Corvette and lotus esprit were the last cars sold in the US with pop-ups. 2004.

[@obiwanjacobi76]

I would argue the acceptance & adoption of composite headlights (vs previously regulated sealed beam units) also played a big role. Without that, “safer” pop-ups might have been the norm.

[@Chaosqueenngami]

I like the look of pop up head lights but personally I’m too afraid of them failing to pop up when I need them and have them be a safety issue.

[@rotorbob88]

Can't believe you missed the headlight mechanism of the FC RX7s. They face forward whether they're in the up or down position. This was done so when they are down they can be used in their flash to pass function!

[@jackspence7779]

Many thanks for producing this cool vid, I very much enjoyed it. Currently have LORVET the C4 Corvette in the garage and the pop-up headlights definitely add to the experience and fun of driving her. BUT, I gotta say that driving LORVET at night is not my preferred time to drive her because I sit SO low in the car I get hit in the face by the LOW beams of other cars many of which have STOOOOOPID bright headlights nowadays (maybe the overall safety of blinding white headlights should be considered?). Worldly glories such as beautiful and cool cars are certainly enjoyable and a blessing no doubt, as long as they are not idolized and occupy the throne of our hearts. That MUST be reserved for King Jesus Christ who is ALWAYS better than anything this broken, fallen world has to offer, even pop-up headlights.

[@pstoppani]

FYI - Esprit is pronounced like especially. Not Eeeesprit ;). I had several cars with popup headlights and am very glad they no longer exist. Modern headlights are integral to the design of the front end and no need for an expensive repair with the popup feature fails; which it will eventually and usually too soon.

[@DavidPawson-d7h]

Basically, It’s if you don’t like the way I walk, stay out of the road. Thanks, I really dug my pop up’s.

[@Petroelhead]

I had a 1990 Celica Turbo. Good times 😀

[@reviewyourownadventure2083]

Nissan Pulsar NX. I'd buy a new version of that car immediately. Preferably with the pop up headlights. That was a cool little car.

[@branchan00]

Can’t believe you didn’t mention the Miata at all

[@Alhamdulillahist]

3:35

[@skipdonahue4440]

I totally understand people believe the Miura was the first supercar. But many believes it was the 1955 300SL.....interesting subject. But of course it was the Mercedes.

[@Pirwill-xn4yn]

POP UP UP AND DOWN HEADLIGHTS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@deformemvita]

RIP Donut

[@joshuamcgarity1109]

My ‘94 Probe GT was certainly a better looking car with pop-ups. Sealed beam headlights were also insanely cheap to replace, and standardization meant that aftermarket options were plentiful. Sealed beams had their downsides, sure, but also plenty to love about them.

[@lb9gta307]

Having a clear new lense every time you replace a bulb is probably my favorite thing about sealed beams.