Whale tail

[N758BB]

I purchased a used Whale tail here on the Pelican used parts page. The seller stated " This is a 1978-1989 911 OEM turbo tail". When I received it it was all fiberglass, no rubber lip. My question is, did Porsche ever make a complete turbo whale tail, or were they all two piece design? It does have "Porsche" molded into the fiberglass, and the crest in the simulated rubber.

[bkreigsr]

original whale tails were intended to be three piece - metal engine lid, tail and rubber lip. AFAIK, the lip is the only component that had an embossed crest.
they did make one piece fg tails for their race cars, I'm sure for the IROC cars, and maybe the 934's
someone else with more expertise might chime in
Bill K

[rusnak]

2 piece, yes, and yes.

[javadog]

All OEM 78-89 turbo tails have a rubber lip.

JR

[FenderGuy]

Does it have a serial number on it? i was under the impresssion they were 2 piece units fiberglass base and rubber lip....post some pics of the tail , interested on how this 1 piece unit has porsche on it

[N758BB]

follow this link

FS: 930 Turbo Tail

It didn't link, so you will have to cut and paste.
Was I ripped off?

[javadog]

It's possible the seller didn't know what it was. The guy he bought it from might have mesrepresented it to him. If it's not what you want, talk to the guy you bought it from and work it out.

JR

[old man neri]

Originally Posted by N758BB

follow this link

FS: 930 Turbo Tail

It didn't link, so you will have to cut and paste.
Was I ripped off?

So your telling me that the black stuff is not rubber but fiberglass?

[rusnak]

caveat emptor. The lawn furniture mesh should have tipped you off. "Ripped off" depends on what you realistically expected. I paid slightly more than that for an oem Carrera tail with a decklid, wiper and motor, and all hardware except for the light and decklid latch.

[widgeon13]

I would do some research as initially the tail could have been all glass but the (equivalent of motor vehicle dept) in Germany made them modify the tail to rubber as it was considered unsafe if it caught a pedestrian.

Not sure where I read this many years ago but I would do some more research before any rash moves.

[FenderGuy]

I cant see photos so I cant say ...maybe its a special made tail by porsche? as long as it has a serial number on it, i wouldn't worry about it

[jh225]

Sorry, but after viewing the pics, that whole thing just screams...........No

[jess p]

Someone laid mold release (heavy wax) on a real tail. Covered it with fiberglass and making
butts to remove it in pieces. With that female mold now one can make male molds from that
and sell them. No, it's not real. Porsche oem tails are all rubber lip.

[jurhip]

jess p is probably right. If you closely at the letters, they are not correct. The P has no raised center section and the "splines" of the 'E' seem too thin.

I thin the biggest issue is the grating/mesh used. I have never seen a P-car part made with this lack of attention to detail.

To some extent it is buyer beware, but in this case I think the seller misrepresented the part and should offer a full refund as this is definetly not OEM. When you make statements like this to a buyer, one needs to research to ensure it is what you say it is. it is not n excuse to pass on a misrepresentation.

I would call him and kindly tell him your situation and how you feel. No reason to get mad as this won't make him take it back if he has no intention to in the first place.

[FenderGuy]

you should realize the seller has 4 posts maybe just here to sell?

[N758BB]

I knew someone would bring up the caveat emptor thing. When I opened the box this morning, I thought something was wrong, but wasn't 100% sure, so I thought I would ask the experts. There is no serial number on it, and what looks like rubber is a speckle finish, painted satin black on fiberglass. I probably jumped the gun with the ripped off remark, but it was represented as OEM, and I don't believe it is. My next step is to contact the seller and work something out.

[cgarr]

If there is anything good here, I bet it is real lite weight which is a good thing!

[76912E]

After looking at the pics, I think I have the exact same tail. I bought it in '88 or '89. It was billed as a 'reproduction' of an original '78-on turbo tail. It is all fiberglass and has a 'simulated' rubber edge.

Fran

[Racerbvd]

Yep, a copy, 1st sign was that the wiper hole was molded over, I remember seeing that tale and thinking that I should inform the seller that his tail wasn't O.E.M, didn't want to post in his thread as I didn't be like some of these trolls who just post on others for sale threads slammer the seller, as I hate is they do it to me. I think I tried to sent a PM and for what ever reason it failed.

[robert walsh]

Ido agree it is a knock-off, but a handsome possibly light weight one at that, mine is oem to the car in 1983, again fiberglass and rubber, of which the rubber is a pain in the can to keep neat looking without over streaking the surface with whatever i choose to clean it up with.