Aftermarket Carrera tail ? Which to buy ?

Bigbartguy · 02-08-2002, 10:20 AM

I'd like to add a Carrera tail to my 1985 911 (yes, I will be adding the chin spoiler also).

I'm wondering if anyone has any input on best one to buy ?
I'm not anxious to spend the $$$ on the authentic Porsche tail. I know that Pelican has a replica available, along with a few other Porsche suppliers.

Has anyone bought one of the replica tails from Pelican or somewhere else? Good, bad or ugly, I'd like to hear about any experience/quality issues with any of the replica tails before I spend the money.

Where should I get one from ?

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 02-08-2002, 10:49 AM

I asked the same question about a week ago and didn't get a single response. Hope you do better, and I'll be checking to see the advice you get. Got a tailless (but chin-spoilered) '83 SC.

Stephan

nhromyak · nhromyak's Garage

Some have said the aftermarket tails can never fit quite right.

I know you will have to get a GOOD quality aftermarket tail so it will all look good.

I have had no experience with any, other than the one I bought used. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to determine who made it.
Good Luck.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

You will need to get it painted anyway, you may as well look for a used factory unit. I bought mine, with a decklid for $600.

Tom

Bigbartguy · 02-08-2002, 11:34 AM

I've checked with a bunch of the used parts people, and they dont seem to have any.

did you buy yours from a private party?

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Yes, found it in the Rennlist classifieds. I also found a couple for sale by hitting the classified sections of various PCA regional web pages.

Tom

Kurt B · 02-08-2002, 11:48 AM

If you get an all glass tail, just remember to paint it all the color of your car rather than attempt to emulate the factory rubber lipped tails.
Also understand that sanding and primering it is something you can do yourself and it does take some work.
Originally, I sanded and primered my tail, and even painted it. Later I got the whole car painted, so it was for naught.
It can be done. Just remember, you'll be doing a lot of sanding with 1000,1500, and 2000 grit paper and polishing if you paint it yourself. The process is not a lot of fun, but it is easy to do and very time consuming.

As many recommend, it is a one way ticket. It's best if you get an additional decklid for it so you can swap back and forth. Frankly, I'd like to have no-tail days and tail days. And I'd like to throw a ducktail day in there too. I guess I've got a bit of Jack Olsen blood in me in that respect.

As others have said or will say, you must have a front lip spoiler.
You can see what I have there.
You will notice a difference at high speeds believe me. My car, lowered, spoiled, aligned and corner balanced does not feel like 95 MPH when I'm doing 95. It hugs and holds like nothing else. Spectacular. It is leaps and boundes beyond when I first got it.

And since you do not have a turbo body, get the carrera tail--or a ducktail if you have a coup and want to be creative!

SeaDweller · 02-08-2002, 01:55 PM

I've heard MA Shaw and Better Bodies Motorsports offer high quality glass work. Some of the others I know nothing about. My favorite is the RS tail that has the large turbo base with a Carrera lip. I think on some cars/colors, the factory black lip is too intrusive.

Beware however, as I've had several body shops tell me that it's easy to spend big bucks to get some fiberglass parts to fit properly. You might pay $300 for the tail, but $600 to modify and paint it makes an original tail no so expensive anymore.

Eric Coffey · 02-08-2002, 02:09 PM

I agree with Emcon5. If you are not in a huge hurry, just post an ad (free, and takes about 2 minutes) in both the Pelican used parts and Rennlist parts boards. Something like: "Wanted: Factory Carrera tail" should do the trick. If you don't get any responses, and/or just want to buy replica tail, I would at least get one that use the factory rubber lip.

dean · 02-08-2002, 05:39 PM

I put on an RS America tail on my SC. It was made by RS Design. It was the least expensive tail I could find. You get for what you pay. The fit wasn't very good. I could do the fitting myself so I don't care. I would try another company next time.
Good luck
Dean

Bigbartguy · 02-10-2002, 05:30 AM

thanks for everyone's responses.

I think a good condition used tail is the best way to go...hopefully with a decklid....and even more hopefully with it being painted black already !

thanks again!

89911 · 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stephan Wilkinson
I asked the same question about a week ago and didn't get a single response. Hope you do better, and I'll be checking to see the advice you get. Got a tailless (but chin-spoilered) '83 SC.

Stephan

Check the archives http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58841 and you'll see you got a few responses including one from myself with the same verdict.....look for an original one.