Roamer

Does anyone know if there is a manufacturer of a fiberglass rear decklid or decklid-spolier combo? I saw a fiberglass ducktail decklid-spoler on ebay and was wondering if anyone made a similar item with a carerra tail or if I could bolt a fiberglass tail to a fiberglass decklid. My thoughts are if I purchase a tail, why not lighten the rear end in the process.

Thanks in advance.

Millzeee

try:

<a href="http://www.stuttgart.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.stuttgart.co.uk/</a>

<a href="http://www.porscha.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.porscha.co.uk/</a>

Bill Gregory

There are a bunch of people who sell fiberglass parts, including tails and lids with tails. I would try Mike Shaw first. He advertises in Excellence. His web site is <a href="http://www.mashaw.com" target="_blank">www.mashaw.com</a> (although his excellence ad shows the variety of tails better than the web site). His number is (714) 730-6917. Another I'd look at is GT Racing, who is also a PCA Club Racing sponsor. Their website is <a href="http://www.gt-racing.com" target="_blank">www.gt-racing.com</a> and phone 1-800-797-2911.

Todd

what year car??

Roamer

Thanks again Bill and thank you Millzee.

Todd, it is an 86 Carerra Targa.

Roamer

Another follow-up if I may, what is the weight savings by going with the fiberglass tail over the steel and will their be any issues as far as cracking or mounting that I should be wary of?

Thanks!

<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Bill Gregory

I had an MA Shaw fiberglass tail, which was literally a drop in, on an 81SC, secured with 5 bolts. I had it on there for several years with no cracking or mounting problems. Here's a picture:



Note it's not painted. Mike Shaw recommended I put it on for a few days before painting it. Black on white didn't look bad, so painting it just fell to the bottom of the list.

Drew Theodore

The Carrera tail and Whale tail that replaced the ducktail is a one piece fiberglass lid and tail. The Carrera tail is also the one that was put on the Weissach 911SC in 1980. The whale tail is the exact same except it also has a small vent behind the grill to let in more air for the turbo. Personally I think these are the best looking tails on the non-wide body cars, except for the duck tail.
The whale tail can be found on e-bay but be carefull. The Carrera tails are a little harder to find. The rubber lid for either of these is also hard to find so make sure you get a tail that has good rubber.

Roamer

Drew, are you sure about the all fiberglass thing. I thought that while the tail was fiberglass the decklid was steel as they came from the factory. If this is the case it significantly alters my thinking.

Bill, which tail is that, it looks like either a carerra tail or early turbo. If I go with a one piece I think I am leaning toward an early turbo.

snakepitt1

I have a 1973 911 Targa with the stock factory steel lid and a Porsche fiberglass Carrera tail. No problems at 120 plus. I did just recently replace the rubber seal between the tail and the lid.
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/911Targarear.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/911Targarear.JPG</a>

Scott Harris
1973 911T Targa

Bill Gregory

[quote]<strong>Bill, which tail is that</strong><hr></blockquote>

The tail on the SC is an MA Shaw Carrera/RS America-style one piece fiberglass tail.

Bill Gregory

[quote]<strong>The whale tail is the exact same except it also has a small vent behind the grill to let in more air for the turbo.

The Carrera tails are a little harder to find. </strong><hr></blockquote>

The whale tale is quite different than the Carrera tail. It has raised sides, which function to keep the air pressure on the tail longer, as opposed to allowing it to spill over the sides as with the Carrera-style tails. Paul Frere in his "Porsche 911 Story" says the Turbo tail actually creates a bit of downforce, as opposed to lift reduction with the Carrera, and earlier duck, tail.

Both the Turbo and Carrera tails are available from Porsche in complete kits for lids without tails. They list for around $1100 each, and you should be able to get them for around $800-$825 at discount. I don't have the kit part numbers here with me. They are shown in the Porsche 911 Parts and Technical Reference Catalog, or if you need the part numbers, email me.

Drew Theodore

Roamer,
The ducktail was done away with in 1974 because there was a worry by the German Gov't that a pedestrian could somehow get hit by the tail so Porsche modified the tail to have a rubber lip. This tail is still all fiberglass as was the ducktail but with a rubber lip. It is all one piece, except for the rubber lip. In 1978 the tail was changed to the metal lid and fiberglass tail because the turbo intercooler needed more room under the lid. That tail had the turned up rubber. The only car that I know of that got the fiberglass tail after 1978 was the special edition Weissach in 1980. The Carrera fiberglass tail with the non turned up lip, that fits on the metal lid came out for the 3.2 Carrera.

Roamer

Drew and Bill, thank you.

I am currently leaning toward an early (pre 76) turbo tail and decklid combination. I believe that the decklid and tail on these units are all fiberglass. I know that GT carries a full fiberglass decklid/tail in both early and late style turbo tails, however neither accept factory rubber which I would like.

I will also call MA Shaw today because the online catalog did not list any tails for early 911s.

Drew Theodore

Roamer,
There looks like there are 3 on e-bay right now. Items 184453767, 1845447259 and 1845577707.
Again, be careful. Rubber on these is very important because it is hard to replace and or fix. The fiberglass can be fixed. These all appear to be aftermarket but they are the Pre-1978 turbo style tails. The first looked like it possibly is 2 pieces. The last two looked like the 2nd smaller vent was not functional.