Did early 911s really need spoiler?

The 1972 and earlier cars were pretty much limited to a max of about 140 mph by power.

The factory listed the 911S at 144 - a 911T was pretty much 125 for the carb cars, about 130 or so for the later FI.

They did not need a rear spoiler at those speeds - very stable for their day. It is pretty well known that to put a whale onto one of these early cars is only to slow it's top speed down due to drag.

The Turbo 930 probably did make good use of the whale spoiler, but it had enough power to carry the aero load.

I think that maybe the best compromise is the flip-up spoiler like a 993 has - you get the classic Porsche looks along with a little downforce when it activates.

 

Targa are ugly regardless of a spoiler or not. There was a Road & Track article back in the 80s that stated the 911 began to generate rear lift at 90mph and that was why the spoilers evolved. 930 turbo tail is quite different from the Carrera tail. I like both but then again I also love the duck tail from the early 70s. Though the 89 speedster looks fantastic without one.

 

Targa's are ugly, mine was a Targa and I converted it to a coupe. I think early 911's look great with a spoiler, whale tail or duck tail, either is fine.

 

What he said.

I don't think the aero bits started until the '73 RS.

With regard to the whaletail (1975-), remember that Porsche needed somewhere to put the intercooler, so there were reasons other than aerodynamics at work.

 

There is a noticable difference on the track(even with the early cars and their lower speeds) when equipped with spoilers front and rear.

 

I assume you mean in track modified older cars? What sort of speeds/HP are we talking about here?

 

Targa bodies have body flex in the middle and roof leaks. Top speed on the S and RS were near 150mph. The spoiler is to be used with front chin spoiler and rear combination. It does not need either of the two and wide bodies were use less on N/A except the came with better suspension and wider tires.

 

Having had several 911s and a 930 above 120 the spoiler package makes a big difference I notice with my 930. Also helps keep the car planted in crosswinds

 

and that's a critical piece of information: whaletail without the chin spoiler unbalances the car at (illegal) speeds, chin without whale does similar. imho, the car looks balanced with both, also.

as always, someone will have a different opinion; ymmv....

 

Do we need a hate thread for the Porsche 911 Targa?

Do the glass-roof cars qualify for the hate?

I suspect that Sarah Palin once owned a Targa (or at least experienced one at some long-forgotten drive-in movie).

 

Yes the spoiler will generate more downforce. On 993+ 911's the dual functions are cooling and downforce but the spoilers do not open in any speed less than 55+mph.

930's had significant turbo lag and where difficult to control in the twisties when the turbo kicked in, so spoilers was seen necessary to plant the car at high speeds in corners.

The drag will reduce acceleration and top speed. If Handeling is the primary concern suspension and wider wheels will help more in the corners as these classic cars were designed for twisties more than straight line acceleration.


IMO