They just use very bright corner marker lights in that case, like Firebirds and the C5 Corvette.For state that require DRL's that may defeat the purpose.
This is part of it but the Mclaren F1 is also to blame. The F1 was originally going to have pop up headlights but they found that they had a significant impact on aerodynamics. Specifically popping up the lights moved the aerodynamic centre of pressure significantly potentially destabilising the car when at speed....
I though popup headlights were done in by the fact that they tend to be pedestrian unfriendly
So true...
(not like any pedestrian collision is friendly).
yeah, I guess it was purely an aesthetic homage to aerodynamics, but not actually intended as an enhancement.. figure those cars didn't go very fast anyway... at least not enough to matter much lolstreamlining and low frontal area, are two different aero concepts though - the first cars like, say a Cord. were streamlined yes, but they were huge tall front ends!
I always heard it was because headlight covers were illegal until then.[/QUOTE]What's amazing is the concept lasted through the 80s well into the 90s, and a handful of cars of the early 2000s. I remember the NSX still had popup headlights then.
As a kid I always dreamed of a car with pop up headlights. I've still not owned one!