What's this part called?

[Christien]

Can anyone tell me what the circled part in this image is called?



I'm thinking about doing some body work on the rear of my 72 to go towards this style, (it already had some less-than stellar modifications done when I bought it, so needs some changing anyway) but I want to do some reading on it first, so I know what I'm getting into. Problem is, I have no clue what to look for :-)

Thanks!
Chris

[Oh Haha]

center reflector
I believe they changed a bit from 83-89.
Wayne

[racerdoc911]

they changed for 1987. the later ones have "holographic" lettering and integrated foglights. the early ones are no longer available at most places.






'

[Christien]

Thanks for the replies. I searched through these boards to see what was in store for doing this with my car, but didn't find too much (though I've only been at it for 15-20 mins).

Anybody done anything like this? (Or able to point me to a previous thread discussing it?) Here's the basic plan:
What I have is a 72 911T, bought it back in October. PO had installed a whale tail and rear flares. As far as I'm concerned, the early-70's rear end and the (much later styled) tail just don't like right together.



This past weekend I took the tail off and replaced it with the original black grill, which the PO thankfully kept, and provided me with. Looks much more "natural" that way (sorry, no pics of it yet). Even though I LOVE the whale tail look with the wide rear, it just doesn't seem to match with the older style rear bumper.

SO... my choices are: 1. keep the tail off, and either fill the holes drilled in the engine lid for attaching the tail (or replace the entire lid, which is more likely) or 2. keep the tail on and update the rear to a later 70's look, complete with centre rear reflector. I'll need to replace the rear bumper entirely, I'm assuming - are these swappable (i.e. 72 with later 70's models), or am I looking at major bodywork to do this?

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

[Jerome Ryals]

Chris, email me at home as a reminder and I'll send you a pic of one of my early cars with a center reflector installed. Jrome51@aol.com

[racerdoc911]

there is only one true solution for this. Can you say DUCKTAIL?

[Christien]

Jerome: emailed - thanks in advance.

Jonathan - yeah, I thought about going with the ducktail , but I'm just not a huge fan of them. Depending on cost, though, I might end up going down that route. It would definitely look more period-appropriate than what's on there now, or the modifications I'm considering.

Chris

[Todd Simpson]

74-89 style bumpers are functional but ugly. There are few clean early cars left, I vote for keeping your bumpers stock.

There is some historical precedent for your flare and early bumper look, the Carrera RS. The look can work with no tail too.

If you must change the rear, research a fiberglass bumper. There are several (IROC or Ruf Yellowbird) that will work with the reflector and but don't need the bumper pads, extra trim and bellows on the side. It's a nice clean look.

[sammyg2]

If I were you (and you're glad I'm not), I'd forget the center reflector and go with the duck.

[rlh930]

I think that flares and a ducktail look great together. But I'm biased, it's my car!

[Christien]

Roger, do you have any other pics of that car? I'd like to see a couple different angles of the tail with the older-style bumper.

Thanks.

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by Christien
Roger, do you have any other pics of that car? I'd like to see a couple different angles of the tail with the older-style bumper.

Thanks.

yeah, what he said

this car looks so nice from the rear, that I'm sure it deserves its own thread just to show it off....

not too many silver rsr's on this forum

[midlife]

I'll trade you my rear reflector, bumber, and extensions for your rear set up.

[banjomike]

I DO like the 74-88 look, but I would NOT modify your early car to look like a midyear. It won't match the front, it will decimate the resale value, and it will cost more that fixing or getting a new lid. Plus if you take it back to original, the tail you have on it now will probably fetch a pretty penny to fund the new lid.

Do a search on 'ultimate' and 'backdate' and see how far people will go to get a car that looks like yours!

[Christien]

midlife: sent you a pm

[geof33]

Unless your planning on doing an IROC RSR I would not even think about changing your rear bumper/reflector. If anything (I'm with the rest) put a duck on that bad boy and quack all the way home...

[Jerome Ryals]

For your car I think I would also have to 'quack it', car looks very nice. J R

[Christien]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. If I do decide to go ducktail, anything in particular I should watch out for/avoid? Fibreglass or carbon? Manufacturer? Are the lids "one size fits all"? I was browsing through the parts classifieds and the prices seem pretty reasonable (actually, a lot less than I would've thought) but not much discussion re fit, except the odd one where someone said it didn't fit.

Thanks all.

[350HP930]

+1 on the ducktail.

I think the whale tail only looks right on the late model widebody, and even then it only makes sense when there is a turbo intercooler under there.

[Christien]

Ok, I think I've decided what to do. I'm not going to do the update with the newer rear bumper. I'll keep my eyes open for a low-priced ducktail lid to install to see if I like it. From scanning the classified, it looks like they go for between $150-$400, so it's not like it's a huge purchase if I decide I don't like it. If I don't like it, I'll replace the lid with just a regular one, no tail, and save my pennies for an early 80's turbo (dream car).

Again, anything to look for/avoid with ducktails? Size issues?

And Roger, c'mon, let's get a couple more pics of that silver beauty! :-)