When automakers describe car models, terms such as mean, seductive, and muscular are not unusual. Like a human being's features, these terms are derived from the front end perception that these models exhibit. Therefore, automotive designers pride themselves on creating unique frontal features that give exclusive characters and profiles to their models.

When looking at the most influential car designs that changed the automotive game, features such as the grille and headlights play a significant role. Headlights are the most recognizable and most important design features that distinguish a car, especially at night. Decades of technological advancements have enabled car designers to deliver iconic and unusual headlight configurations ranging from pop-ups to smart LEDs.

9 Cizeta V16T

The V16T sports car is the only product from the Cizeta Company. Built from 1991 to 1995, automotive engineer Claudio Zampoli and music composer Giorgio Moroder contracted Marcello Gandini to design the V16T. The car has an all-aluminum 64-valve 6.0-liter V16 engine that generates 540hp and 400lb-ft of torque.

Developed by a group of ex-Lamborghini staff, the model's profile has several similarities to the Lamborghini Diablo, which was developed in the same era. However, the V16T is unique because it features four individual pop-up lights. In total, the Cizeta boasts no less than ten lights at the front.

8 1948 Tucker Torpedo

Before declaring bankruptcy in 1949, Preston Tucker produced only 51 examples of the 1948 sedan model dubbed the Tucker 48. After World War II, Tucker designed a safety car to define modern styling and introduce new innovative features. The Tucker model features a rear-engine, a rear-wheel-drive system, a roll bar, perimeter frames, disc brakes, fuel injection, and a padded dashboard.

The Tucker stood out due to its recognizable third directional headlamp, centrally aligned with the other two lights. The lamp activates at steering angles greater than 10 degrees by moving together with the wheels to light around corners, making it one of the safest cars available at the time.

7 Buick Riviera

The Riviera was General Motor's first entry into the personal luxury car industry, marketed by Buick from 1963 to 1999. The initial models had standard front-engines and rear-wheel-drive configurations until the introduction of the front-wheel drives in 1979. Despite the coke-bottle look and tapered midsection surrounded by flared fenders, the Riviera's standout feature is the hidden headlamps.

The concept behind the concealed headlamps is to prevent competition with the vertical grille set into the leading edges of front fenders. The opaque grills are designed to split in the center horizontally and opened vertically to expose two stacked headlamps on each side.

6 Alfa Romeo Brera

Alfa Romeo marketed the mid-size Brera sports car as a 2+2 Coupe. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Brera model was presented as a concept car at Geneva Motor Show's 2002 event to replace the GTV. This Alfa Romeo is available in two petrol engine variants; a 3.2-liter V6 and a 2.4-liter JTC turbodiesel.

The Brera's profile is unique because of its unusual yet sensible arrangement of the headlights. The three circular headlights on each side are arranged to line up horizontally to ensure they occupy a narrow space while maintaining the vehicle's signature sleek lines.

5 Alfa Romeo Montreal

The 2+2 Montreal Coupe model was first introduced as a concept car at Expo 67 held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1967. With Marcello Gandini's body design, the Montreal utilized the same running gear and chassis from Giulia GTV Coupe and an engine derived from the 33 Stradale and Tipo 33 Sports.

The Montreal's front end is eye-catching due to the four headlamps that appear partly covered by slatted louvers. The unusual grills retract when lights get switched on as an innovative way to comply with specific market regulations concerning headlamp height.

4 Opel GT

Boasting hardtop bodywork from Brissonneau & Lotz and mechanical components from the Opel Kadett B, the Opel GT debuted in both the Paris and Frankfurt motor shows in 1965. The GT model features rear-wheel-drive, a front-mounted engine, steel unibody, two seats, transverse leaf spring suspension, a power-assisted braking system, and unassisted steering.

The GT also features standard pop-up headlights, but with a twist. The unusual mechanism in the GT is manually operated by a large lever located on the center console next to the shifter. The mechanism involves swiveling both headlights counterclockwise from the inside of the car about a longitudinal axis.

3 Bugatti Galibier

The 5-door Galibier luxury fastback is Bugatti's concept car unveiled at an invitation-only event at the Molsheim, France, in 2009. The 16C would feature a gaping intake, two-tone paint scheme, an elegant butterfly hood, split-window hatchback, carbon-fiber monocoque, double quad-pipe exhaust configuration, big interior TFT screen, all-wheel-drive system, and quick-shift automatic transmission.

The concept car has unusual headlights designed to resemble the aesthetics of a human eye. The LED headlights' intricate design appears to have a cold and menacing stare when viewed at night. This artistic front profile functions to represent the beastly nature of the Bugatti.

2 Porsche 928

Porsche developed the luxury 928 grand tourer in an attempt to replace the iconic 911 model. The flagship 928 is built to handle like a sports car, while still delivering a luxury sedan's comfort and refinement. The 928 pioneered a few features; an electronic injection system, a transaxle, dog-leg manual transmission, and a galvanized steel body.

It also boasts unique pop-up headlights whose pods remain visible during the day since they lay flush with the body, unlike other pop-ups. The pods flip upwards to point at the road when lights are switched on.

1 Dodge Charger

Featuring a 4-bucket seat interior and a 2-door body design, Dodge introduced the first generation fastback Charger in 1966. Based on the Chrysler b platform, the first and second-generation Chargers manufactured between 1966 and 1970 come with an undivided grill and rounded taillights. The models also featured a 5.2-liter V8 that powers the wheels through a 3-speed manual transmission.

These Chargers were incredibly unique for their trademark hideaway headlights, designed to be better than the pop-up headlights. The Charger's lighting is hidden behind a garage door mechanism that automatically retracts when the lights are switched on at night.