These Are The Coolest Headlights Of All Time

Headlights have been lighting our way since the earliest days of the automobile, so that means there have been countless interesting headlight designs throughout those many, many decades. Last week we asked you to share your favorite headlight designs, and despite my expansive and entirely unnecessary mental repository of headlight design knowledge, y'all had still some surprises for me in your answers!

Read on for what cars the Jalopnik audience thinks have the coolest headlights of all time, and let us know in the comments which of these you like the most.

THE RIV.

Simple, tasteful, effective. I agree, the Riviera has some pretty lit lights.

Submitted by: Garland

Volvo Thor's Hammer I'm pretty partial to my Volvo's "Thor's Hammer" design (it's really called that- over the top, yes, but I like it). More importantly, they are very effective.

This reader only included a close-up of their headlight, and I'm guessing it was an S60, so I shared a photo of an S60's sleek-ass Thor's Hammer lights.

Submitted by: Cityman

What about the Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider? Using holes in the hood to make simple headlight housings into dual round headlights.

I never knew that's how Alfa achieved this gorgeous design, but it makes sense. It's a shame the car will inevitably develop electrical issues...

Submitted by: savethemanualsbmw335ix

This is the car that led the US out of the sealed beam era to where we are now.

I wasn't expecting this answer, but I was honestly hoping for it. Sealed beams were a tragic U.S. "safety" regulation that marred American market cars for decades.

Submitted by: Sucker for a '23 300C

Loved the hidden headlights on my 1968 Toronado:

I was unaware of this design, but holy crap do I love it.

Submitted by: Knyte

I've always thought that the vertically stacked & offset headlights of the Porsche 917 were some of the coolest and most iconic headlights of all time. Seeing these flashing at you just prior to a 225 MPH overtake on the Mulsanne Straight at the edge of control has to be pretty intimidating (to say the least)

This is a great answer that I wouldn't have considered! So much of the front of this racing legend is dedicated to the headlight clusters, and they're dramatic, almost demonic, and 100-percent badass.

Submitted by: ejp

Pontiac GTO (the old one)

This commenter included a photo in their comment, so I ascertained they meant the 1970 GTO. This is a really unique headlight setup that's pretty polarizing, but I respect how daring it is.

Submitted by: towman

1959 Buick Invicta. Peak, yet understated, Mid-Century fins and jet-themed design.

NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE BUICK INVICTA! It is such a striking design that totally epitomizes the space race–crazed American culture at the time.

Submitted by: JimmyZZZZZZZ

Mercedes Benz headlights from back in the day always spoke to me:

This commenter also shared a photo of the Pagoda SL, which I totally agree with too. These lights weren't sold in America because of our sealed-beam requirements, so seeing an old car with lights like this does seem pretty revolutionary.

Submitted by: BonaContention

I don't know about "all time" but I feel like the Genesis G70 is doing something that no one else is really attempting.

Let's compare and contrast to what BMW is doing on their flagship 7 series...

The problem I see here is that this $100k BMW is pretending to have thin headlamps. What they actually have is a thin DRL on top of a normal large lighting unit below. It's an approach that was pioneered almost a decade ago by cars like the Citroen C4. Strangely enough, it was done then as a way to mimic the look of a thin headlmap without having to invest any money into thin headlamp tech. And you would think that a vehicle as prestigious as a BMW 7 series wouldn't need to play such tricks.

What's remarkable about the G70 is that not only did they design and engineer thin headlamp units that are nearly as thin as the DRLs on the BMW, they also integrated the DRLs into them, and then fitted the car with 4 of these types of units in 2 different styles. It's refreshing to see actual thin headlamps without the fakery.

Great choice, great explanation, and I totally agree. Genesis headlights are the only good looking split headlights on the market.

Submitted by: muttons

Is it possible to have a discussion about headlights without bringing up the Cizeta V16T? Methinks not.

Badass.

Submitted by: paradsecar

I did a quick brain scan and the one that kept coming to mind was the 3rd gen Infiniti Q45. Those headlights looked wild when they came out almost 25 years ago.

This is also a great answer; those gatling gun–style lights have always spoken to me. Though I always kinda saw them as a flower more than a gatling gun, but nobody's too surprised by that.

Submitted by: Nemo

So cool about the headlights, they don't show them unless you need them—aesthetics all the way.

On brand, the1969DodgeChargerFan. Also very valid.

Submitted by: the1969DodgeChargerFan

Euro version Citroen SM, those things were both gorgeous and impeccably designed. It is a fucking sin we were never allowed them.

This commenter said the Citroen SM initially, but then responded to someone else's comment with this video and I ran with it. Yet another innovation that was barred from the U.S. due to our "safety" regulations.

Submitted by: skeffles

The coolest headlights let you go fast through the forest, at night. You need ALL THE HEADLIGHTS. Specifically the RS200 Group B car.

Niche, but great answer. All these lights make the little RS200 look totally alien and menacing, and I love it. Is this where bros in lifted trucks get inspiration for their LED light bars? Nah, that's giving them more credit than they deserve.

Submitted by: JohnnyWasASchoolBoy

Any headlights with covers.

This commenter went vague but also shared a photo of an Alfa Spider, so I used it as the example. Its covered headlights are simplistically elegant and effective.

Submitted by: DGUTS