Strangest Car Inventions: The Bizarre Hidden Headlight Setup for the 1968-69 Toronado!

Learn more about the 1968-69 Toronado and its bizarre hidden headlight setup!

[thevolvodrive]

I am a 70s child so these videos bring back a lot of fond memories for me. I am sure that many of your GenX viewers/subscribers feel the same way. Thank you Adam for putting in all the time and effort to share your passion with us!

[chuckymurlo]

The 65 Riviera's clam shell hidden headlights were fun to watch open and close at a car show a few weeks ago

[jase]

My first car was a used '69, dark green with white interior. I recall during Nebraska winters I would casually drive up icy, snow-packed hills, with stuck cars and trucks all over the place. People would look with amazement at how it could go through snow with that 455 sitting over the drive wheels.

[norwegianroads]

In my opinion hidden headlights would make a lot of sense now when headlights are made of plastic that degrade and become opaque from UV exposure

[sdstreiker]

Manually operated flip-over retractable headlights on Opel GT (loved that car!)

[GeelongVic]

Several comments. I actually prefer the styling of the '68-69 Toronado's to the original 1966. The '69 Headlamps grille covers would always dependably open during the snowy great lakes winters typical of that era. Finally, with the disc brakes and the 455 the '69 Toronado was a superb highway cruiser. In '72, I had the opportunity to do a wintertime drive of my father's '69 Toronado from Traverse City, to Detroit/Windsor, then across a snowy Canada, to Montreal, for a skiing trip with our destination in Stowe, Vermont. The '69 also handled the snowy roads of Vermont's route 100 amazingly well. That '69 made wintertime travel speedy, safe, and effortless....and that drive and that subsequent ski trip were both amazing lifetime memories for me. Definitely the '69 Toronado was one of my truly great car experiences. BTW the manually operated rotating covered headlights of my later purchased, and much loved, 1970 1.9 liter OPEL GT always opened no matter the weather, encrusting ice storms never prevented the Opel GT headlights from opening. Adam, you have a great channel. Cheers.

[lanedexter]

I had a 1967 Thunderbird. This is the best arrangement, solidly mounted headlights that stay properly aimed, protected by metal covers when not in use.

[Wolf-Spirit_Alpha-Sigma]

That orange Ferd at 5:15 is me when I woke up this morning. Too much partying.

[drippinglass]

That’s kool! I never saw the entire grill retract like that. 😎👍

[vmaximus]

I like the way the grill rotates out of the way and that (as you mentioned) they did make the headlight area look presentable.

[MrPoppyDuck]

My wifes 89 Accord had pop up headlights. While that is not as cool looking as the 60s and 70s cars with hidden headlights it still gave the car a more aerodynamic look. Wish I still had that car as it was super reliable. The tin worm ate it up.

[arevee]

'68 and '69 are still lookers, but the '66 was the best, IMO.

[anthonydavis]

65 Buick Riviera hidden light were the sweetest

[dogdad]

I actually prefer this design. Thanks for sharing

[WilliamParmley]

Love it when you feature cars from this era. Thanks!

[edwardpate]

My dad had a 66 Riviera he bought new and I was lucky to drive later in the mid 70's. I can still hear the distinctive sound of those headlights in my head. They never had a single issue in the 20 years we had that car. I kind of think the 70 Toronado with the non-hidden headlights was pretty nice too.

[joeharkins]

My family owned 3 Toronados over 5 years - a Lt. Blue 1969, Bamboo 1971, and a Brown w/ White 1972. Great cars!

[machpodfan]

This is so iconic, 60s tech, James Bond-ish, with the kind of style long-gone from today's charisma-free wheels.

[Bigmacland-zlwo]

Loved the look of the 1968 and 1969 Toronado. They are my favorite. I can't imagine the cost associated with model year changes back then.

[brandbryce]

These are my favourite.
Love a '68 Toronado!