Ducktail Differences

[GotaT]

I have seen 2 different type of ducktails by the way the fit to the quarter panels. One has a noticeable raised lip to the quarter while the other fits more "smoothly" to quarters.
Why ? / Whats the difference?

I've attached a picture I found online of the differences for reference only.

[TRE Cup]

The blue car has the correct side profile, whereas the white car is an incorrect reproduction

[Reiver]

really, too bad, the repro looks better.

[Dublinoh]

Originally Posted by Reiver

really, too bad, the repro looks better.

I think so too

[abc123]

I have original seel frame glass top it is like the blue one

[Lukesportsman]

Not that anyone would doubt Dave anyhow. Both my glass and steel framed ones look like blue with pronounced contour. I have to agree though with others above.....I visually find the incorrect one more pleasing

[Joe Bob]

Funny how people are on proper and correct. The Carrera RS graphic which typically goes on the ducktail has a proper RS and one that isn't. The wrong one is the most popular.....so I just send out both when someone orders a kit.

The Yellow Bird was at Schneider's Autohouse a couple of years ago....wrong logo. Weird, Schneider's 'proper' German name for Autohouse isn't allowed.....all I got was ***** when I posted.

BTW, what does Sonjay's decks look like?

[GotaT]

Thanks for all the posts. Somehow I thought I remember the one that looks like it wasnt planned to fit smoothly to the body was the correct one. Wierd how that worked out when someone was originally making the fiberglass mold. They must have thought, "This is going to look great!..." afterthought of install "Well, we already made the mold... and everyone will love it because we are PORSCHE!" : )


So, in continuing to learn these details, how about the underside of how they are made/shaped. REFERENCE OEM ductail to aftermarket Look Alike ducktail What are the real differences?

[Lukesportsman]

Reasonable thread with photos:

wtb real duck tail

[GotaT]

Thanks for all the posts and info!

[wayner]

This thread brings up an interesting point that has often been on my mind:

Just because that is the way the Porsche factory did it, does it make it the best way to do it (whatever "it" is)?

My understanding with the tail is that it sits high because the originals were laminated to the standard deck-lid frame rather than designing a new piece. To my mind that is a perfectly acceptable solution if you are a race team trying to make the grid, but for a car manufacturer, I would expect more refinement, but, I think that is the point.

Porsche was less of a production car manufacturer and more of an engineering company and race car manufacturer with a few street models from their early days including that period were they not?

Another example that amazed me as I learned about these cars was that the turbo flares were welded on instead of stamping new panels.

There must be other examples that I am eager to learn about, but it certainly points to their skill as craftsmen being able to adapt work arounds that required highly skilled workers, rather than changing the design at great cost for small production numbers (enabling less skilled workers to do the assembly).