Where can I get a real duck tail?
 

My car has an aftermarket replacement. I want to replace it with a correct factory duck tail. I have checked Platz.com and many other places on the net? Am I in search of the Holy Grail?

Parts Obsolete used to make one that was a metal base fused to a fiberglass tail, like the factory made 'em.

Genuine factory ones are very rare.

Mark, I have a contact in Germany who has 2 factory ducktails for sale - around $2500 each - this seems to be the typical going rate for them.

Unless your car is an original 2.7 Carrera RS why even contemplate this - there is a huge difference in quality between manufacturers of aftermarket ducktails & you may get the effect you want by replacing your grp ducktail with one from a top quality manufacturer.

If you're interested in the originals, I'll pass on details of my contact.

Andy Boyle (UK)
'69 911E

Originals go for $1500 and up each. They do come up occasionally, but the factory ones are not as high a quality as you might imagine. It is possible to have a great body and paint man take a fiberglass scoop from an aftermarket ducktail and bond it to a steel deck lid and have it look exactly like the factory original but with a better finished quality for $750 to $1000. That's what I had done - people ask me if it's an original all the time.

I also have an original 73 ductail (steel). In 73 both steel and alloy tails were used. If you would like more info email me nvalve@yahoo.com.

Regards

I had a ducktail made a few years back by a company in Florida called "Made By Hand". P.O. Box 340, Crawfordville, Fl. 92327. They used a steel engine lid and bonded a fiberglass tail on. Bruce Anderson mentiioned them in some really old article I ran across. I called information in Florida and they gave me the number. He quoted me $600 if they supplied the hood. It took six weeks to get. I've never seen them advertise. I sent a 50% deposit and the balance when it was ready to ship.

Wait a minute! Are you guys saying that there are two types? One that is ALL fiberglass and another that is fiberglass on steel?
How can you tell if it's original? I have one on my car that is glass on steel-(sheet metal). Is there a way I can tell if it's REAL. Hell, if it is, I'll sell it if it's worth that kind of money.

There were 2 versions of the original (factory) ducktail - one with an alloy frame & one with a steel frame. Then there are the aftermarket ones - usually all grp - but as mentioned above, replica ducktails have also been produced by bonding a grp ducktail spoiler onto a std steel engine lid.

Andy Boyle (UK)
'69 911E

Guys,
Are you sure that the factory built some with STEEL frame?? I have never seen one, and I have seen more than my share of RSs. All alloy framed...
GeorgeK

George, I thought the switch to a steel frame was documented in the Carrera RS book - can't find it now. I have seen a real RS ducktail with a steel frame on a very late Italian delivered RS.

Made by Hand Link
 

Here is the link to the Made by Hand shop. They specialize in 356 restoration.

Made by Hand

Aha! That's the one I had seen. Because Made By Hand is a 356 outfit, I got them confused with Parts Obsolete.

So for the record, Parts Obsolete (probably) never made these.

FranksPlace2,

Thanks for the link. That looks like a great compromise. My after market tail is kind of flimsy and an obvious imposter when next to the factory equivalent. That looks like a great option when I do a respray. Thanks again, Mark

Wow!
 

Wow!! Recognition from a moderator and a senior pelican. Maybe I'll get promoted to Junior Plus!

Happy to help.

Frank