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Just for fun…do you prefer the G body 911 with the rear spoiler or without? This is a purely design/aesthetic/beauty/style question.
I prefer the coupes without the rear spoiler because I think the rear spoiler tend to interrupt the beautiful curved silhouette of the vehicle.
On the cabriolet’s however, I prefer the spoiler because with the top down, the spoiler tends to lengthen the silhouette of the vehicle.
Then again, a turbo widebody coupe with tea tray spoiler is pretty iconic.
And to be clear…I love all of the G-body 911s!
So, feel free to chime in. Thought the discussion might be entertaining.
1. For a G Body (that's SC on up, not the pre-78s right?), no tail if you want the "pure" 911 look that is uncluttered, streamlined, and has "classic car" written all over it.
2. But for a more "aggressive" look, say lowered, wider than 6/7s, and chin spoiler, then yes on a tail.
3. Cabs I'm split on, but I think I'd sway toward with a tail such that the top-down look flows better.
4. Targa: no tail, no way ...looks weird to me with the tall glass.
5. Turbo-look flares absolutely gotta have the tail to "complete" the aesthetic and fill the proportions.
6. Hate the duck on any 911 from SC forward, ugh, yuck, no way! Not a popular opinion but heck, you asked.
Edward
Had a 911 with a spoiler for years, totally dug it, for the next car I wanted no spoiler. I think it works well both ways, just wanted to have one without this time.
I will say I do not like turbo spoilers on SCs and Carreras. It's too much tail, IMO. The Carrera rear spoiler is just right for a Carrera.
My 1987 Coupe has no whale tail from the factory, which is what I was looking for. The thing which captivated me about the 911 was the beautiful sweep of the rear quarter windows. To me, the whale tail simply takes away from that simple and beautiful design.
I like both winged and un-winged — but a PO removed the whale tail on my ‘78 SC and I have no intention of re-installing it given how I envision this car.
I like both winged and un-winged — but a PO removed the whale tail on my ‘78 SC and I have no intention of re-installing it given how I envision this car.
I find it funny that all the conversation is about aesthetics and looks. With Porsche engineers, form has always followed function.
I had the enlightened experience of driving a G-body SC without spoiler and at speed during the mid-1980s. Those were different times with half as much traffic and even less enforcement. By at speed I mean 100-125 mph for 20-30 minute stretches. I regularly drove Houston to New Orleans and Houston to Atlanta round trip. Without fail at some point in the trip, I would have a convoy of 4 or 5 large German V8 sedans blow past me with CB radios and radar detectors. When I tucked in behind them, without spoilers, the SC felt dangerously light. It drifted side to side and was slow to respond to steering input. After a year of this I added front and rear spoilers which significantly stabilized the car. It made driving at speed a pleasure and it immediately responded to steering input.
Times have changed and I no longer drive my SC at these speeds so I bought a tail-less engine lid that I may install in the future. At the time when it was needed the least of my concerns was what people at cars and coffee would think, or if it was the correct tail for my model year. I can take it either way now, with or without. I have nothing negative to say either way, because I understand the purpose of spoilers.
Last edited by autobonrun; 01-06-2024 at 04:17 PM.
No one mentioned autobahn use, track stability, or arrest me/impound my car speeds. The thread is about a "purely aesthetic" decision, as per the OP, first line. Porsche designed the various tails and the requisite chin spoiler with clear intent, this we know. But such stability enhancements don't even come into play until you are well into handcuff-speed territory. C'mon, you don't really think you're the only one who "understands" that the factory designed these elements for purpose, do you?
I was simply describing the feel with and without spoilers for those who have not had the opportunity to drive both designs at high speed. Lots of new owners coming into these cars. I’m sure everyone understands the physics of it. Have a good day.
12-31-2023, 12:05 PM
Tail or no tail?
