I used to own a Miata 1990 and an RX-7 1979. Both of those cars had nighteyes. Due to design aspects there are no more cars made with nighteyes (at least I don't know off any). I personally like nighteyes a lot, it gives a sporty feeling when you look out of your car and there are two lights in the way ;)

I would love to see nighteyes in the RX-8 or the upcoming RX-7. What is your opinion on that design issue ?

Forgive my stupidity... What are nighteyes?? Thanx.

lights that go up and down. when they are off they disappear in the hood and you can't see them from the outside. When they are on they pop out of the hood. Get it now ?

No!

I found a company that sells "regular" head lights for the Miata 1990, here the description:

"Your Miata will be the coolest on the block with these square headlights. No more pop up lights to create air turbulence with the top down. These lights are custom made right in my shop with the highest of quality control."

Maybe they are called POP UP LIGHTS !?!? Do you understand now what I mean ? If not just take a look at a 1990 Miata and you will see what kind of headlights I am talking about!

Here is a picture of a Miata with the headlights UP! Those are nighteyes or POP UP lights! get it now ???

http://www.miata.net/garage/bsplow/

I've never heard of night-eyes, but pop-ups...sure. However, you're not going to see them any time soon I wouldn't think. Since they're able to make aerodynamic housings that perform well, there is just no point, other than cosmetic, and I'm not sure most people even like the look. Even the upcoming Vette won't have them anymore, and they've used pop-ups since '63.

jds

Originally posted by qberror
get it now ???

Yup!

Originally posted by qberror
lights that go up and down. when they are off they disappear in the hood and you can't see them from the outside. When they are on they pop out of the hood. Get it now ?

Ahhhh, yep. Thanx.

Pop up head lights won't be used too much longer. New pedestrian impact safety laws prohibit them.

One more thing to break.

I think they're called retractable headlights, but as you can see with many cars, most are stuck up or they have one stuck up, one down, seem to not be very reliable.

Had them on my 85 RX-7 and just loved them, it added to the mystique of the car.

They're reliable enough on Mazdas - very few Miatas or RX-7s have experienced pop-up light problems (they're usually referred to as pop-up or hidden headlights - I've never heard of them referred to as nighteyes before!).

But, as mentioned - new European pedestrian safety regulations effectively ban pop-up lights from ever being used again. Existing designs are still sold, but no new model certifications will be issued.

Pop-ups are dead, and can't come back. Government regulations prohibit them.

Regards,
Gordon

You would think that they could be re-designed to incorporate a low-shear-strength pivot pin or something. Strong enough to withstand the dynamic pressure/aero drag of driving (even at high speed), but yet would fail upon heavier impacts and allow the assembly to either break away or fall back into the body.

I had those retractable headlights (or popups) on my Firebird.

The good is that cops have one great reflecting target less when they aim with their laser gun at you to measure your speed. The best (front side) target is the license plate, of course, but well, who would mount that? With retracted head lights, it is really more difficult for them to get a reading. For best results put on a black bra. On your car, I mean!

The downside with the retracted headlights is that you cannot quickly warn oncoming traffic by flashing high-beams, as I usually do it when I see a police car hidden somewhere.

Nighteyes? When I had my Miata I called them (aviation) air-brakes :).