1971 Imperial LeBaron
If you trust Wikipedia, the Cord 810 was among the first automobiles to sport hidden headlamps. As far as design trends go, that’s a pretty auspicious starting point. For the purposes of this gallery, we are making a clear distinction between hidden headlamps—those found in or near a traditional grille–and pop-up headlamps along the lines of those found on the early-generation Mazda Miata or RX-7.
Sadly, the in-grille concealed headlamp is now mostly a thing of the past. The large, rectangular grille—the traditional home of concealed headlights—has given way to more sloped, less chrome-y front clips that leave little space to hide a pair of headlights.
For your consideration, we have gathered a dozen classic car ads, each touting a car with hidden headlamps. If you have a favorite hidden-headlamp car, tell us about it. The place to leave comments is down below.
Ads Featuring Cars With Hidden Headlamps
1942 DeSoto
1942 DeSoto Ad
Dead-Brand Madness! 10 Classic DeSoto Ads
1967 Chevrolet Camaro
1967 Chevrolet Camaro Ad
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28: A History in Photographs
1967 Oldsmobile Toronado
1967 Oldsmobile Toronado Ad
Rocket Madness! 10 Classic Oldsmobile Ads
1968 Dodge Charger
1968 Dodge Charger Ad
What was the Dukes of Hazzard Car?
1968 Pontiac Grand Prix
1968 Pontiac Grand Prix Ad
Art Fitzpatrick: The Man Who Drew Pontiacs
1969 Buick Riviera
1969 Buick Riviera Ad
Review Flashback! 1985 Buick Riviera
1970 Mercury Marquis Colony Park
1970 Mercury Marquis Colony Park Ad
The 5 Most-Expensive American Wagons of 1969
1971 Imperial LeBaron by Chrysler
1971 Chrysler Imperial Ad
Forgotten Concept: Chrysler Imperial
1971 Plymouth Fury
Readers Strike Back: 12 More Great Car Grilles
1981 Ford Thunderbird
1981 Ford Thunderbird Ad
Review Flashback! 1984 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
1988 Chrysler LeBaron
1988 Chrysler LeBaron Ad
Mainstream Mainstay: 1977-1995 Chrysler LeBaron
1988 Oldsmobile Toronado Troféo
1988 Oldsmobile Toronado Troféo Ad
Listen to the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast
Cars With Hidden Headlamps Gallery
(Click below for enlarged images)
-
- 1942 DeSoto Ad
-
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Ad
-
- 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado Ad
-
- 1968 Dodge Charger Ad
-
- 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix Ad
-
- 1969 Buick Riviera Ad
-
- 1970 Mercury Marquis Colony Park Ad
-
- 1971 Imperial LeBaron Ad
-
- 1971 Plymouth Fury Ad
-
- 1981 Ford Thunderbird Ad
-
- 1988 Chrysler LeBaron Ad
-
- 1988 Oldsmobile Toronado Troféo Ad
Cars With Hidden Headlamps
Cars With Hidden Headlamps
