Sometimes referred to as hidden headlamps, pop-up headlights are one of the most continuously enjoyed design features found on cars. Unfortunately, pop-up headlights were banned in the late 1990s due to safety concerns, according to a Hot Cars report. Are you telling me people aren’t willing to risk their lives for what’s arguably the coolest car feature ever?

By checking out lists of the most unique popup headlights across the internet, I’ve compiled some of the most iconic popups from the 1930s to the 1990s. This headlight design has captivated car enthusiasts for decades, whether it was to shave off a few seconds on the track or give the car an irresistible charm.

Headlights That Really Pop

It wasn’t easy to choose which pop-up headlights to highlight in this article — I think they’re all quite incredible in their own way. Some are very adorable and seem to give the car life and personality. Others were very innovative and pushed the limits of car design.

Using reputable sites like CarBuzz and Car and Driver, I decided to curate this list by selecting a group of cars that offered wildly different aesthetics and innovation.

Jaguar XJ220

Back when Jaguar actually “copied nothing” and “deleted the ordinary,” the Jaguar XJ220 had its own innovative twist on pop-up headlights that emulated the rest of its sleek and elegant design. Almost like something out of a James Bond movie, the Jaguar XJ220’s light covers slid down to reveal hidden headlights, creating a mysterious aura that cannot be captured by most modern cars.

Jaguar XJ220 Headlights

Jaguar has gone downhill since, with a soulless pink EV leaked late last year after its incredibly horrific rebranding — definitely one of the worst car ads to ever exist. Oh, how the brand has fallen.

Lamborghini Miura

Lamborghini Miura Headlights

This is definitely one of the most memorable headlight designs out there, but it’s no surprise. Hagery says the Miura has an overall innovative design that was fully brought to life by a team of guys in their late 20s who basically didn’t care what their bosses thought about any of it.

Lancia Stratos HF

There are no other cars with a set of headlights quite like the rally-focused Lancia Stratos HF. The prototype was presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1970, featuring a futuristic and aggressively angled body, with stylish pop-ups, and often seen with a light pod at the front during rallies.

Lancia Stratos HF Headlights

A rear-engine rally car meant to replace the Fulvia on the track, the Lancia Stratos was fitted with a Ferrari Dino 246 V6 engine and thrown right into the competition. According to FCA Heritage, the Stratos won the Monte Carlo Rally three times in a row and secured the World Rally Constructors Championship in 1975 and 1976.

Mazda Miata MX-5

You knew it would be here. I may be biased since I own one, but I would not trust a list about pop-up headlights if it excluded the Mazda Miata. While there’s really no surprise twist on the pop-ups here — they simply flip open — the Miata’s headlight design is among the most memorable. The rounded lights and the smiley grille combine to give the Miata a derpy, wholesome expression that hasn’t been matched ever since.

Mazda Miata MX-5 Headlights

One of the best parts of owning a Miata is the unspoken rule that you MUST pop up your lights and blink at any other Miata you see on the road. Oh, this only applies to ’90s Miatas, by the way. Your early 2000s Miata doesn’t count.

Cord 810

Most people think of the 1980s and 1990s when it comes to pop-up headlights, but this 1930s stunner was ahead of its time. With a supercharged 4.7-liter V8 under the hood, CarBuzz reports that it could reach 110 mph. As part of its attempt to be the fastest car of the 30s, the Cord 810 had hidden headlights for aerodynamic purposes, making it the first-ever car with pop-up headlights.

Cord 810 Headlights

While innovative and stylish, the Cord 810 was too pricey for the average consumer during The Great Depression and was discontinued after just a year.

Toyota Corolla AE86

Made iconic by starring in the Initial D anime, the Toyota Corolla AE86 may look a bit plain, but it has a secret: pop-up headlights. These instantly give it that sci-fi ’80s vibe when paired with the AE86’s flat and square front end. The way the pop-up headlights turn on makes it look like the car is coming to life. Some even had hidden fog lights, with a robot-like sound to match.

Toyota Corolla AE86 Headlights

While it’s not known to be particularly fast, it has become a favorite among drifting enthusiasts due to its superb handling and vast selection of aftermarket parts.

Lotus Elan

A small and affordable sports car, the Elan was a favorite with the car community in the 1960s. A 1964 review of the Elan by Car and Driver commended it for its aerodynamics, including a clean and functional design — the pop-ups are yet another design element that kept the vehicle smooth and streamlined.

Lotus Elan Headlights

Like the more recent Lotus Elise, the Elan is glued to the road, making it a joyful ride on the most spirited of canyon drives. Supercar Nostalgia reports that it only reached a top speed of 112 mph, but it’s not all about top speed — it’s about exceptional handling and headlights that make the car feel alive. Just ask any Miata enthusiast, and they’ll tell you the same thing.

Chevrolet Corvette (C3)

With a long, curvy body and pop-up headlights, the Corvette C3 has an impossibly futuristic look due to its inspiration, which, according to Car & Driver, was the Mako Shark II concept car from 1964. Adding to its badass appearance, the pop-ups appeared to happen in slow motion, dramatically revealing two lights on each side.

Chevrolet Corvette (C3) Headlights

The C3 has become one of the most popular generations of Corvette due to its low, swooping shark design, targa convertible top, and powerful V8 engines. This car ruled the roads from the 60s to the 80s. You’ll now find it at Corvette car meets with a sign in front of it and probably a guy or two sporting jean shorts and New Balances.

Ferrari F40

Car and Driver tested this extremely rare and gorgeous car in 1991 and said, “After two days on the road and an afternoon at the test track, we can report that nothing we’ve ever driven can match the mix of sheer terror and raw excitement of earth-scorching around in someone else’s three-quarter-million-dollar toy.”

Ferrari F40 Headlights

Only 1,315 F40s were made from 1987 to 1992. Formula 1 driver Nigel Mansell was one of the lucky buyers. His car was sold for £1 million in 1990, and in 2014, it changed hands again for just £543,375. These days, F40s sell for $2.4 million, according to Classic.com.

BMW M1

Only 460 models of the BMW M1 exist, making it the rarest car on this list. According to BMW, it was the first car designed by BMW Motorsport GmbH, meant to race in the German Racing Championship. While it, unfortunately, never made it to that track, the M1 is no slouch when it comes to its performance and design.

BMW M1 Headlights

BMW designed the M1 to be incredibly low and aerodynamic, so it received a pair of “folding headlights,” black slats over the rear window, and a flat kidney grille at the front. BMW M says its aerodynamic design, along with a low center of gravity, allowed the BMW M1 to take sharp turns at fast speeds. It wasn’t just fast around the corners, though, as it also has a top speed of 164 mph.

The End of an Era

Pop-up headlights may no longer be a part of modern car design, but they’ll never be forgotten. From the adorable Mazda Miata to the track-focused Ferrari F40, the varied implementation of pop-ups represented car companies’ desire to push the boundaries of design and play with technology and aerodynamics in bold ways.

Plus, pop-up headlights are one of the coolest car features to ever exist, and that’s a good enough reason to dedicate an article to them.