Teardrop Headlights

[9XI]

This is digging from the deep recesses of my memory but this issue has been bugging me with all of the 996 threads....

Everyone is complaining about the teardrop headlights. I think I remember Porsche race cars from the late 60s or early 70s having a similar teardrop headlight. Is my memory faulty? What racecar was that, anyway?

Would it be "wrong" for Porsche to draw from such heritage to give the 996 a new look? Does the racecar design legitimize the change?

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1969 911S Targa
1999 Eurovan Camper

[Leland Pate]

hell I don't care if the teardrops WERE used on a vintage racer...


THEY'RE STILL UGLY!

[RaF944]

Teardrops are cool!....THe ones on the Turbo and Gt2 that is

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85.5 Porsche 944

[This message has been edited by RaF944 (edited 06-05-2001).]

[sander]

If they wanted to have more aerodynamic headlights, I wish they'd have done this:

[9XI]

Yes, this one is what I am remembering, along with one wider and flatter. Everytime I see a 996 or a Boxster I have a mental trigger back to the childhood image of the Porsche racecars. Maybe this was their point of the teardrop concept.

What is the wider and flatter Porsche with teardrops?

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1969 911S Targa
1999 Eurovan Camper

[enk1]

9XI -

You must be thinking of the World-beating, earth-shattering 917K (of "LeMans" fame).



Ed
88 930S

[9XI]

Thanks, Ed. That is the car I think of when I see a 996. I wonder if that is what Porsche wanted when they incorporated the teardrops.

I am embarrassed to say that I saw a 996 on the way to work today and the thought came into my head that it looked pretty good. I still don't like the ride or cushy feel, but I am learning to accept the look. I figured that this was as good a place as any to confess.

Maybe they do grow on you after all. I know that I didn't like the 993 when it came out, and now I like it.

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1969 911S Targa
1999 Eurovan Camper

[enk1]

9XI-

Too bad they didn't use the 917K for the rest of the car.

To me, the 996 looks like a Datsun 280Z!


Ed
88 930S