A raging debate over on the 308/328 board... maybe already discussed here. Do any of the Boxer crew know whether the high/mid-mounted spoiler on the BB was functional, or just a '70s automotive fashion thing? It seems that as the 308/328 evolved, the cooling vent configuration ended up (by 1986) matching the Boxer vents and the Boxer-style spoiler was on the vast majority of these cars. By the time the radiators moved to the flanks (TR, 348, 355), that spoiler disappeared completely, even though we were still in the buttress era and it could have been fitted. My thought is that Ferrari wanted to improve cooling on the 308, and that the spoiler was one step in the process. But, I haven't seen anything definitive on this from Ferrari.
My understanding was that the Boxer spoiler was added to make sure the carbs had enough air at high speed. That is, at high speed, there was a vacuum over the rear of the car and spoiler assisted in moving more air in that direction. Maybe it was done for cooling also. I'll try to find where I read this. It may have been in one of the first additions of "FLAT 12" which was a newsletter published by Cavalino or in the Boxer book by Mel Nicols. Or it may just be some trash I read on the internet. I'll have a look tonight. Drew
Lots of American cars have faux scoops, vents, spoilers, etc., but it seems FCar elements all relate to a function. Like Drew, I also recall that the Boxer's spoiler increases air flow to the intake boxes.
I knew I saw this somewhere. The Mel Nichols" Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer book on p. 30 and 31 show some drawings that were used in the design of the Boxer. I would guess they were by Pininfarina; they are done in that style but no reference is made to them. Page 30 shows the rear "spoiler" and calls it a "Transverse Air Deflector in Plan". Not a spoiler. On Page 31 it goes on to show "How the carburetter's air gets in and out" There are arrows that show air being deflected downwards from the deflector to the rear air intake where it gets sucked into the carbs. There are also different style arrows that show how air gets out. Drew
It is for airflow into the carbs and later FI...since the radiator in a Boxer is up front it would not assist engine cooling...
That has to up the price on the Boxer 10% alone Tranverse Air Deflector in Plan... It does have that ring to it.
You guys are way off. It's a sun shade for the back window. Those aging disco guys needed something to save the the dome.
