5 Classic Cars With Cool Headlight Wipers You Forgot About

Ever seen tiny windshield wipers on a car’s headlights and thought, “Wait, what is this?” Well, it turns out you weren't witnessing a choice based on crummy design—it was a clever solution to a problem before the introduction of standard LEDs and modern high-pressure washers. Car manufacturers took it upon themselves, like Saab, Volvo, BMW, and even Jaguar, to used what was used before to keep your headlight clean from snow, dirt, slush, and everything in between.

Sound weird? It is. But also kinda brilliant.

From the rugged Lada Niva to the stunning Jaguar XJ-S, here are five eccentric cars featuring headlight wipers. You may just find yourself wishing they would make a comeback by the end of this list.

Saab 99 — The Trendsetter That Started It All

The Saab 99 wasn’t just an odd Swedish car—it was the original automotive headlight wiper. With an introduction in the late 60s and iterations throughout the 70s, the Saab 99 was known for gold, soldier-nose vehicles with headlight wipers (standard equipment on all models), which quickly became a synonymous feature on snow-sports vehicles for snow-loving Scandinavians—tiny, side-sweeping wipers to clear off their headlights.

It was no gimmick. While in snow-icy climates, headlights can get caked in slush and drastically reduce visibility. Saab engineers understood that providing safer roads required clearly visible lights.

Why it was unique:

• First-ever mass-production car with headlight wipers.
• Specifically made for the harsh winter weather in Sweden.
• Advanced safe-thinking and design before anyone else was doing it.

"Back then it wasn't about fancy, it was about function," says a former Saab owner from Minnesota. "Those little blades saved me many snowy nights."

Volvo 240 — Dependable, Boxy, and Fantastic

The Volvo 240 was the family tank of the '70s and '80s—safe, reliable, and as strong as, well, a tank. And yes, it had headlight wipers! This perpendicular, vertical blade were perfect for added security in foul weather, especially in a snow worthy or dust worthy state.

Reason drivers loved it:

• Used in conjunction with headlight washers for twice the cleaning ability.
• The iconic rectangular lights were fit for blade movement.
• It was commonplace in as many colder U.S. states like Michigan, Vermont, and Colorado.

Relatable Tip:

If you've driven through a snowstorm and had a complete mess of road salt on your lights - then you understand why this was such a big deal.

BMW E30 — A Mix of Sport and Sophistication

This is a crowd pleaser. The BMW E30 3-Series was sporty, classy, and even had a hidden jewel — headlight wipers. Naturally, BMW didn't do it the "normal" way, they had a slick, twin-arm setup that cleaned both headlights in one passthrough.

Why this feature was special:

• Wipers matched the sporty aesthetic and had practical purpose in wet conditions.
• Usually paired with fog lights for improved, all around, visibility.
• Provided a leaner, but extra layer of Euro charm and function.

Car enthusiasts can not stop raving about the fun and functional balance of the E30 — headlight wipers included!

Jaguar XJ-S — When Even Wipers Were Classy

Yes, it’s the Jaguar XJ-S. Long, luxurious, and full of surprises, including the pantograph headlight wipers. These wipers did not just move back and forth like a boring wiper's; rather, they moved in a more involved way, even a beautiful one, to clean the headlamp glass.

Why it was iconic:

• The wiper movement was appropriate to match the car.
• Perfect for the always foggy, rainy weather of the U.K. and Pacific Northwest.
• Made maintaining the headlights feel like it was at least a little more... posh.

Fun fact: Jaguar was one of the few luxury brands why cared enough to make a boring task feel a bit luxurious.

Lada Niva — Simplicity That Just Worked

Even though we never officially had a Lada Niva in the U.S.A., this Soviet SUV has gained quite the following on a worldwide basis. Built to drive on rough terrain and deal with bitter cold, the Lada Niva came with one of the messiest, yet practical, headlight wiper systems we have ever seen.

Why off-roaders still respect it:

• It used a simple, rugged design with fewer serviceable parts. 
• It was a vehicle built for mud, snow, and everything else nature threw at it. 
• In some places around the world, it is still used where roads are... optional. 

Whether you're an adventurous spirit or DIY overlander, the Niva's utility first design is a classic worth keeping in mind. 

So... Why Did Headlight Wipers Vanish?

You're probably asking yourself—why don't we see these anymore?

The short version:

• The designs of modern headlights are smaller and sleeker than ever, making headlight wipers impractical.
• High-pressure washer nozzles are just better at it now.
• Automakers moved away from visible wipers due in part to formal design and aerodynamics.

Nevertheless, for those of us who lived through snowy Midwest winters or dirt-muddy back roads, these small little features made a big impact.

Headlight Wiper Cars Specification

Conclusion

Headlight wipers might be a thing of the past, but they used to help keep night time driving safer--especially in bad weather. Whether it was Saab's handy snowy surprise or BMW's nifty little design, these small features illustrated how much carmakers valued the realities of driving. They are rare today, but certainly not forgotten.

Source(Image / Thumbnail): slashgear.com