Pop-up headlights

Pop-up headlights first appeared in the 1930s and became a common feature in the following years. They became popular in the 1980s and were featured in a variety of vehicles, from Lamborghini supercars to the 1989 Mazda Miata. These headlights were designed to be concealed when not in use, giving the front of the car a flat appearance. When activated, they would pop up, resembling an eyelid, and, when closed, they gave the car a smoother and more polished look. Pop-up headlights enhanced the sleek, sporty appearance of performance cars and were seen as a unique feature when they emerged from the front of the car.

In the 1990s, safety concerns about the shape of cars’ fronts and confusion over what this meant for pop-up headlights banished them from production. While pop-up lights aren’t technically banned, getting them approved as safe both in a collision and to ensure they operate even if there are issues has become too costly and difficult to justify implementing in newer cars. However, having pop-up headlights on the next Mazda MX-5 model would be the ultimate homage to the original car and a novel feature today. I hope they bring them back.