I was eating dinner with some friends at my local headlight-culture seafood restaurant/THC lounge, a place called High Breams, when I first heard the scuffle. I was already sort of lit after consuming a fillet of bream soaked in THC oil so initially I didn’t trust my senses. Then, after a flying chair caught me on the back of the head, sending my face smashing into my key lime pie, I realized what was happening around me was actually happening around me. What was going on was a brawl, a brutal, savage restaurant fight involving plates, forks, bottles of Worcestershire sauce and more, all over which shape of sealed-beam headlights – round or rectangular – was more appealing.
To people outside of the Headlamp Community, this may seem like a trivial, even inane distinction to make, but among sealed beam aficionados, this distinction has a near-religious impact. Even other members of the Headlamp Community, like the composite lamp subgroup, often fail to see the importance of this inter-nacine sealed beam headlight fighting, but I assure you, it’s real.
After I awoke in my pie, hours after the restaurant had closed, I started to make my way back home, but the round vs. rectangular conflict stuck with me. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I think the very notion of a binary good/bad distinction is absurd, but there are contexts were round works better, and context where rectangular works better. I think it’s even possible to come up with some rules, or maybe guidelines, to help make this call. So, with that in mind, let’s look at some cars that have had both round and rectangular sealed beam headlamps on what is otherwise essentially the same car, and see what conclusions we can draw.
I think one of the best comparisons we can make is with the Golf/Rabbit design, which started with round headlamps and then switched to rectangular in 1979. I’ve written about this switch before, because I think it’s interesting.
I think it’s interesting because the original Italdesign prototypes of the Golf used rectangular lamps, which does seem, objectively, to fit better with the design. But when it came to the production car, round sealed-beam headlamps were used. This could be because when the car was launched, in 1974, the American market did not allow European-style composite headlamps, and the only headlights available were round, since rectangular sealed beams weren’t available until 1975.
I’ve also heard that VW wanted to differentiate the car a bit from other rectangular-lamped hatchbacks, but that’s just rumor. Personally, I think the round lights actually make the Golf/Rabbit far more interesting looking up front. This seems counterintuitive since the whole car is so unashamedly rectilinear, but I think the way the round lights break the boundary of the grille offers a sort of playful visual punctuation, and gives the front end a sort of willing, alert appearance.
I mean, look at the rectangular-lamped version from 1979:
The car now looks…stern, or at least somewhat displeased. Yes, these lights technically are more harmonious, but I can’t help feel that something was lost with the removal of the round lamps. The rectangular ones almost fit too well, and as a result the front end loses some charm.
Now, conversely, we can look at the Renault 5/Le Car:
The initial US-Market Renault LeCars (the silly name given to the Renault 5 in America) used round sealed beams, from 1976 to 1979, and in 1980 those were replaced with rectangular lamps. In this case, I think the rectangular lamps work better, because, unlike the Golf/Rabbit, where the headlights broke some of the boundaries of the Golf’s very straight-edged front end with playful aplomb, in the case of the LeCar the round lights were simply stuffed into the rectangular bezels that housed the Euro version’s rectangular composite headlights.
This was a case where the lights weren’t cleverly interacting with the existing design, but rather were being forced into a context they were never meant to be. These lights looked and felt like a clumsy compromise, and when rectangular lights were fitted into the rectangular bezels in 1980, the LeCar’s face felt harmonious again.
This issue – cramming a round light into a square hole – I feel like comes up surprisingly often, and it almost never works. Take the Studebaker Avanti, for example. Original Avantis had wonderfully unabashedly round headlights:
Much like the VW Golf/Rabbit’s round headlights, these worked because of their contrast with the more linear forms of the rest of the car. But, after Studebaker passed onto the great factory in the sky, the Avanti lived on as the Avanti II, which for some reason featured round lights in rectangular chrome bezels:
That’s not an improvement! I’m not sure what the goal was there, exactly, but it just makes the front end look fussier and dowdier. Later neo-Avantis moved to rectangular headlamps, which was better than the round-in-chrome-squares of before, but still not great:
…and then eventually came all the way back to bold round headlamps:
Overall, I think the Avanti works better with round lamps, for reasons similar to the Golf/Rabbit.
The Chevette is yet another example of how round lights work best when not surrounded by square holes. The early Chevette face is a little friendlier, perhaps, but the later rectangular-lamped front end is much cleaner and works better with the overall design. Somehow, unlike the Rabbit/Golf, it doesn’t suffer from the stern/suspicious look issue, though I’m not sure I can pinpoint exactly why.
I think intent is important here, or perhaps something closer to acceptance? What I mean is that designs where a round light is appreciated as a round light and no attempts are made to shoehorn it into a design never really intended for a round light are the ones that tend to work. Really, the same goes for rectangular lamps: is the overall design one that appreciates the shape of the lights? Look at these Monte Carlos compared to the Golf/Rabbit:
When the Monte Carlo switched from round lights to quad stacked rectangular ones, the impression one gets is that the overall design was adapted to make those work; I get a sense that the designer was eager to try these new headlights. With the Golf/Rabbit, the switch feels more like an obligation, something done because one is expected to do it, and without passion.
Some round-to-rectangular changes are a little baffling, as in the famous case of the Citroën 2CV:
I’ve gotten used to the rectangular-lamp 2CVs but it does seem a pretty arbitrary choice; in a way it’s like the opposite of the Golf/Rabbit situation, only in this case rectilinear lights on a curvy car.
The Honda Accord is another interesting example of a car that tried both; of all of these, I think this one may be closest to a wash. I think it looks pretty damn good either way. The quad round lamps somehow manage to have a slightly sportier look, partially because of traditions involving using lights that were quick to change in rally contexts. But the rectangular ones do look pretty smart!
So what have we decided here? I think if there’s any takeaways, it’s that you can’t beat intention and enthusiasm when it comes to car design. If you have a round headlight, own that round headlight. Let the light define its space, don’t try and force it into another shape. Let it push against other elements of the design! And, conversely, harmony can work, too! Sometimes a rectangular lamp in a rectangular hole just feels right!
My point is, sealed-beam enthusiasts, it’s time to stop fighting. Put down the shrimp forks and chairs, and accept that you are all beautiful children of light, with so much to offer, all in your own brilliant ways.
Rectangle looked more modern when they came out, but now there is that throwback round headlight aesthetic back in vogue. Also consider late 1970s early 80’s ford fiesta, they had both round and rect I think? (round to rect model refresh?)
I’m in the round headlight camp. And I know past headlights generally didn’t shine as brightly, but the easily replaceable glass sealed beams were so much nicer IMO.
Nothin’ says “Malaise” like vertically stacked rectangular headlamps… Yuck.
Don’t forget “upside down” headlights like on Chry Lebaron! Man, those things messed w/ my brain.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/upside-down-headlights-a-brief-and-incomplete-history/
It really varies from car to car.
I prefer the Volvo 140 with its round headlamps to the 240 with its rectangular headlamps. However, I think the final evolution of the 240 with the single rectangular composite-style (versus sealed-beam quads on prior models) is the best front end of the 200-series.
The Volvo 740/760 debuted with quad rectangular sealed beams, with optional fog lights beneath the front bumper. However, the facelift gave them either a single plastic-lensed rectangular light for lower trims, or a narrorower low/high beam composite light with an inboard fog lamp like on the 760s and later 960s. The fog lamp doesn’t quite fit flush with the grille nor main headlamp, but it looks better executed than the single larger composite on the 740/940; unfortunately the fog lamp between the grille and headlamps also meant there wasn’t one beneath the bumper cover, making other drivers think that if the fog lamps were illuminated they were high beams (as me how I know). However, the European models came with a lovely cohesively-designed glass assembly that encompassed both the headlamp and fog lamp area, and apparently they work better as actual headlamps than the glow panels that were apparently dictated by US regulations. This evolved to the S90/V90, which came with modern short composite lamps, and while they don’t have as much of the big-eyed personality of its direct predecessors, it manages to look nice and modern enough as a carryover model until the S80 and V/XC70 came out.
The final generation of Lincoln Town Car came with multiple round lights inside of a composite housing, and it looks so much more premium than many of its predecessors with their various rectangular offerings.
My favorite Lincoln Continental, the Mark III, has round headlamps behind a retractable cover, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“America’s car”, the Mustang, looks best with round headlamps. Really any animal-named vehicle should likely have round headlamps, at least if its namesake has round eyes.
The 2004 F-150 debuted round headlamps inside a composite housing, and it looked so much better than the blob shape the 1997
-generation F-150 came with.
In a similar vein, the only good-looking Silverado yet made this century was the 2014-2016 model, which had circular headlamps in a composite rectangular housing (almost square, really, as it was bisected by the fake grille extensions).
Continuing with trucks: the Rams of the early 2000s (2002-2009) had circular lights in composite housings, and the early ones looked droopy and sad, and the facelifted ones in 2006 looked like scared cows with extra eyes. Maybe they were inspired by Mr. Waternoose from “Monsters, Inc.”? While the following generation resolved that, it also had the forward-leaning grille and headlamps, and didn’t look quite right.
I could go on, but this is already quite lengthy.
First car was used 77 Accord with round sealed beams. Swapped all four out for sealed halogens for about $50 asap. Turning on the high beams at night was like releasing the sun pointed down the road. never had a set of lights in a car like these again, including the leds in my current car.
Was this because they were the only set of ROUND lights in any of my cars?
The new Land Cruiser features both round or rectangular, depending on the trim level, though neither are sealed beams. Although like the Golf quoted above, the circular lamps work better on the rectilinear SUV.
In my view, it depends on the car whether the round or rectangular looks better.
On the Chevette, I think the round looks a bit better. Same for the Monte Carlo and the Avanti.
One example of where square headlights were an improvement was with the 1977 Pontiac Firebird. I think the square headlights work better on that design than the round headlights of the previous year.
Round almost always better looking. On motorcycles, round always better.
I have a vehicle that was offered with both rounds and 4×6 stacked quads in the same model year: my 1979 Dodge W150 Power Wagon. Mine is an Adventurer package truck, so it got fancy wood trim, some side and tailgate trim, and a new grille with state-of-the-art (for 1979) quad headlights.
Lower trims had round headlights like all the prior Tin Grille years, but it was a round headlight in a square bezel, and I think it looks odd.
In this case, on my truck, I vastly prefer the quad 4×6’s. Someone paid good money for that option when it was new, and who am I to argue with that?
That first sentence…
Oddly enough, I agree with most every round v square comparison you made. The Gold definitely looks better on the round. With the square headlights it sort of becomes an anonymous square car.
Born in 1966, circular headlights were all around me growing. So common. Then in 1977, my grandparents bought a massive Cadillac with square headlights. I thought those headlights were the coolest and most awesome design innovation! So modern and elegant!
Round is always better imho, I still haven’t seen one car that looks better with rectangles. Also the rectangles coincided with impact bumpers which made most designs look kinda dorky.
If anyone DOES think of a car where rectangular headlights are better, respond below this comment because I wanna see what you’re seeing.
I had an 82 Accord with squares, and I prefer them over the rounds.
You’re glossing over the best part when you could hold back the high beam switch and get ALL FOUR lights on, making it super bright. I feel like I’m not remembering this correctly though.
In descending order – Good to Bad.
Round headlamps set into a grille or bodywork – generally with a round chrome bezel
Rectangular headlamps set into a grille, bodywork or rectangular chrome bezel
Round headlamps, paired and set into an ovoid chrome bezel (think Rolls Royce Silver Cloud 3 or 1964-66 Ford Thunderbird)
Round headlamps, paired, set into a rectangular chrome bezel (1970 Cadillac)
Round headlamps set into a black rectangular bezel with chrome edging (1980’s Bentley)
Paired Rectangular headlamps set into an appropriately sized chrome housing (1976 Cadillacs, or 1978 Chrysler Cordoba for example)
Paired Rectangular headlamps set into oversized bezels (1980’s Rolls Royce Silver Spirit/Silver Spur)
Round headlamps – set into a chrome square/rectangular bezel. (Dodge Aspen)
Round headlamps – single or paired – set into an oversized black rectangular housing with chrome trim around the edge (That mid-70’s Chevette)
Discuss.
Studebaker changed the Headlights on the Avanti for 1964 to the square framed ones before the Avanti II.
1) is that Accord real? I’m 56 and have been a Honda fan most of my life, and until recently had never seen a Mk1 Accord with quad rectangular headlamps. I assumed it was an AI creation.
2) credit to early Chevettes- I like how the hood curves down, wraps the front and meets the bumper. Cars today always have an ugly cut line bisecting the front fascia and the hood. Certain Toyotas have always bothered me most- like they made zero attempt at a clean front design, instead gaps and joints everywhere.
3) I’ve finally concluded that Avanti’s are just ugly, no matter what lights they have.
Yes it the Accord is real – it was a one or two year, JDM only offering on certain trim levels.
I guess the Chevette looks better with rectangular lights than the Golf because the latter’s face is slanted forwards, which makes it look it is pointing at you with its eyebrows. Upset or displeased.
The ‘vette is rather blank, expression-wise. Just plain functionality.
In any case, I can never forgive any of the sealed beams sect for disrupting and insulting the design of European imports. Both shall burn in hell with gloria trevi blasting 24/7.
Also in no small part because the original Chevette had rectangular headlights.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Vintage_car_at_the_Wirral_Bus_%26_Tram_Show_-_DSC03336.JPG/960px-Vintage_car_at_the_Wirral_Bus_%26_Tram_Show_-_DSC03336.JPG
Ah, the Vauxhalls… In this case the slanted nose looks awkward and out of place, IMO.
I liked the original square bezel + round headlights mostly because that’s what I first saw as a kid in Brazil, and before the front end was modernized: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCVTjBZqjour4MT8fpDVT63wyl4UvW1liHZe3L2FIzCQ&s=10.
Also, the bumper caps have a slight upward tilt at the edges, which give it an almost smile, while the Golf is completely flat across the bumper. The gold has no emotion with the round lights removed, while the Chevette looks a little happy round or square.
To summarize, round headlights on the Golf are distinguishing features, neither type of headlight on a Chevrette is distinguishing, especially with the square chrome trim around the round light.
its definitely dependent on the application for me. my 69 chevy says round, my 1990 ss454 made a case for rectangle. and as a jeep person im conflicted about the years from 1986 to 1995, but not about the yj renegade. that things hideous.
For the most part, once the design progressed past the styling of the 60’s, square looked better.
Of that era
Volvo – square.
VW – round
French – yellow and square
MB – square
It’s about continuing the curves or completing the straight lines.
YJ/TJ.
That is all.
Round is better.
There’s a reason the YJ was significantly cheaper than it’s round eye counterparts for many maaaany years.
I may be biased though, as I owned a 1st gen RX7 and currently own a classic mini, both with Roundy Boiz.
Every time I see “Le Car”, I’m reminded of that cartoon (Road and Track maybe? Can’t find it) that had a Pacer with a rocker panel decal that said “The Voiture”…
Round almost always looks better. the volvo 240 is another example of this. started with rounds, then changed to rectangular, and eventually composite. the rectangular headlight front end just looked…. frumpy. so much so that people seek out the earlier round lamp units to replace them. likewise the Jeep Wrangler, people swap grilles.