Why?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 741
Likes: 329
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Why?
Why do people ruin one of the best parts of the C5? The popup headlights.
There is no after-market non-popup headlight that looks good on the C5 in my opinion.
Believe me I have had my fair share of dealing with headlight motors and all the things that come with owning an old pop-up headlight car but to me that is part of the experience.
Do people really like this look?
There is no after-market non-popup headlight that looks good on the C5 in my opinion.
Believe me I have had my fair share of dealing with headlight motors and all the things that come with owning an old pop-up headlight car but to me that is part of the experience.
Do people really like this look?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 933
From: Orlando Florida
Well because, as you yourself said, "There is no after-market non-popup headlight that looks good on the C5 in my opinion" with the 'my opinion' being the key. You, I suspect, are looking at it primarily from an aesthetic point of view, form over function. Someone else may appreciate his or her car for the performance first, and aesthetic second. To that person, sacrificing the appearance of the closed lights is worth it to see better in the dark. And I refuse to believe anyone thinks the pop ups look good in the open position.
Personally, I think a couple of the 'sleepy eye' variations have the potential of being better both aesthetically and functionally, though I have yet to read of any that are quite up to near OEM standards for mount stability, not to mention DOT regulation.
Personally, I think a couple of the 'sleepy eye' variations have the potential of being better both aesthetically and functionally, though I have yet to read of any that are quite up to near OEM standards for mount stability, not to mention DOT regulation.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 2,029
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I do not like the look of the last car pictured. I DO like the look of the first two however. I put the ACA Bi LED's from Sharplight in and I love the light output, I do not like the shaky light syndrome flip up lights all seem to have. In hindsight I almost regret not spending the extra dough for the Stealth Light Cannon V3's as pictured in photo 2, which I just realized is the photo from the website. The other point is having fixed lights vs pop up's saves quite a bit of weight on the front end. I am not sure the exact amount but I have heard around 20 pounds. I STILL may sell my current ones to get the fixed ones, I like them that much.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 741
Likes: 329
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I do not like the look of the last car pictured. I DO like the look of the first two however. I put the ACA Bi LED's from Sharplight in and I love the light output, I do not like the shaky light syndrome flip up lights all seem to have. In hindsight I almost regret not spending the extra dough for the Stealth Light Cannon V3's as pictured in photo 2, which I just realized is the photo from the website. The other point is having fixed lights vs pop up's saves quite a bit of weight on the front end. I am not sure the exact amount but I have heard around 20 pounds. I STILL may sell my current ones to get the fixed ones, I like them that much.
At the very least, if it were me, I would keep the popup headlights to sell with the car if I ever sold it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,338
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Looks and functionality are important to C5 owners. At night, I want light. In the day I want looks. The C5 MOE lights look good closed but suck giving safe light for driving and with functionality. Thankfully, I do not drive at night with the C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 1,645
From: North Coast
Look they like it as much as you hate it.
Different strokes for different folks. Most like it as it was used on the IMSA cars.
I like my pop ups but I have no issue going this. It is there car and their call.
Most keep all the parts and while. Any mods are not a big value adder but this one can be reversed.
Different strokes for different folks. Most like it as it was used on the IMSA cars.
I like my pop ups but I have no issue going this. It is there car and their call.
Most keep all the parts and while. Any mods are not a big value adder but this one can be reversed.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 2,029
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I will say if you do like to drive at night and keep the popups run these,
https://sharplightinnovations.com/sh...aca-headlights
I have them on mine, the light output and quality of pattern are as good as any new car. They are not cheap, however neither is hitting a cow on a dark road. Where I live that is a very real possibility.
https://sharplightinnovations.com/sh...aca-headlights
I have them on mine, the light output and quality of pattern are as good as any new car. They are not cheap, however neither is hitting a cow on a dark road. Where I live that is a very real possibility.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
My car had those Breathless lights on them when I first got them. First owner swapped because she lost headlight lids at night time track events on more than one occasion.
I broke one of the lenses trying to remove it and clean dust and debris from the inside of the light, and it was cheaper to get the much maligned frog eyes than it was to replace the lens. And converting back to popups quickly via eBay would have been about $1300. So I went with the $230 option instead.
Eventually I did piece together a set of pop ups and converted the car back, but the light output was abysmal, and this thing is my daily. I'm glad I stumbled upon the KnightDrive TV lights, because now I finally have functional lights and pop ups. The best of both worlds.
I broke one of the lenses trying to remove it and clean dust and debris from the inside of the light, and it was cheaper to get the much maligned frog eyes than it was to replace the lens. And converting back to popups quickly via eBay would have been about $1300. So I went with the $230 option instead.
Eventually I did piece together a set of pop ups and converted the car back, but the light output was abysmal, and this thing is my daily. I'm glad I stumbled upon the KnightDrive TV lights, because now I finally have functional lights and pop ups. The best of both worlds.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 12,401
Likes: 1,750
From: DFW TX
Why do people ruin one of the best parts of the C5? The popup headlights.
There is no after-market non-popup headlight that looks good on the C5 in my opinion.
Believe me I have had my fair share of dealing with headlight motors and all the things that come with owning an old pop-up headlight car but to me that is part of the experience.
Do people really like this look?
There is no after-market non-popup headlight that looks good on the C5 in my opinion.
Believe me I have had my fair share of dealing with headlight motors and all the things that come with owning an old pop-up headlight car but to me that is part of the experience.
Do people really like this look?
That said I prefer the pop-ups. Part of what makes it cool
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,360
Likes: 7,072
From: CT
I have seen some really great cars with high investment into them go up for sale and absolutely tank or just sit without interest because they have aftermarket frog lamps like these.
There is an awesome Electron Blue Z06 on the forum's for sale page currently which is likely hung up for the same issue. Great car too!
There is an awesome Electron Blue Z06 on the forum's for sale page currently which is likely hung up for the same issue. Great car too!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 756
Likes: 172
From: SC
Why do people ruin one of the best parts of the C5? The popup headlights.
There is no after-market non-popup headlight that looks good on the C5 in my opinion.
Believe me I have had my fair share of dealing with headlight motors and all the things that come with owning an old pop-up headlight car but to me that is part of the experience.
Do people really like this look?
There is no after-market non-popup headlight that looks good on the C5 in my opinion.
Believe me I have had my fair share of dealing with headlight motors and all the things that come with owning an old pop-up headlight car but to me that is part of the experience.
Do people really like this look?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 761
Likes: 281
From: Middleton, Id
Those aftermarket spoilers probably cause as much drag as the pop up headlight do too. But to each their own, I'm in the like pop up camp cause growing up all Corvettes had em but of course now they don't. Personal taste as all mods are.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,679
Likes: 4,526
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
