What was the first car with rectangular headlights?
The first rectangular headlights are generally traced to the early 1930s, with the 1934 Citroën Traction Avant often cited as one of the pioneers in mass production. However, historians note that several brands experimented with squarer lamps around the same period, and there is no single universally agreed-upon “first.” This article outlines the key points in the debate and what it tells us about automotive lighting design in that era.
Historical context
Before the 1930s, most car headlights were round, reflecting earlier engineering norms and early lamp technology. As car styling evolved toward more angular, aerodynamic lines, designers sought headlamp shapes that could better integrate with fenders and grilles. Rectangular and squarish lamp shapes began appearing in European models during the early-to-mid 1930s, signaling a shift in aesthetic and functional design.
First production models and disputed claims
There is no single, universally accepted “first” car with rectangular headlights. The record shows multiple early experiments and several brands that claim precedence in different markets. Among these, one model frequently cited by historians as a notable early adopter is the Citroën Traction Avant, which helped popularize the look in a mass-produced European car.
Notable early adopter
Here is a commonly referenced example from the early 1930s that illustrates the move toward rectangular headlamps in production cars.
- 1934 Citroën Traction Avant — A European mass-market model often cited as one of the first to feature rectangular headlamps integrated with the fender line, signaling a shift away from the traditional round lamps.
While the Traction Avant is frequently listed as a pioneer, historians acknowledge that other brands experimented with squarer lamps around the same time, and precise attribution can vary by source. The emergence of rectangular headlights was a broader regional trend rather than the accomplishment of a single model.
Evolution and legacy
As the 1930s progressed, rectangular and later more square headlamps became increasingly common on a wide range of European and American cars. The styling-driven approach to headlamp shape dovetailed with evolving manufacturing standards and lighting technology, helping to normalize non-round headlights in the decades that followed. The basic idea—lamps that fit cleaner, boxier front-end designs—remained influential as automotive design moved through the mid-20th century and into modern times.
Summary
The question of the very first car with rectangular headlights does not have a single definitive answer. The early 1930s saw several experiments with squarer lamp shapes, and Citroën’s 1934 Traction Avant is widely cited as a landmark in bringing rectangular headlamps to a mass-produced production car. Other manufacturers in Europe and America were exploring similar designs around the same period, making the milestone more of a transitional moment in automotive lighting design than a single, clear cut breakthrough. The rectangular headlamp concept ultimately evolved into a standard design language that influenced car styling for decades.
