Factory Turbo Tail on a Non-Turbo '77???

[Cory K]

Hi Pelicans,
I have a question that's been floating around my head for a while... I bought a '77 911s in the fall and have been doing a lot of reading over the winter. My car has a turbo tail which appears to be original. Question - Was the turbo tail a factory or a dealer option in 1977? Or would this have been added by one of the POs? Just curious. I don't really care for the tail as it is too bulky for the narrow rear end. My preference would be for no tail at all but if this was from the factory or something rare I would be more inclined to keep it. Thanks everyone!

[Travis Neff]

That style of turbo tail was created in 1978, definitely added on after the initial purchase.

[tdw28210]

Not to get into a whole turbo-look (M491 option) thread, but Travis is right. The guys in Stuttgart did not bolt on tea tray tails (aka turbo tails) onto non-turbo 911's until the advent of the Carrera M491 option in 1984 (with one SUPER rare exception). The tail is likely a true factory part, just not one that was put on in at the actual Porsche factory.

[82 SC]

Everyone wanted the whale tale Porsche back in the 80's also body kids and such. I have kind of out grown that look well except for a real turbo model with one

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 82 SC

I have kind of out grown that look

Even the Carrera tail on my 81 steals from the Targa lines. It's a look that turns heads but less can be more sometimes.

Cory, if you keep the tail, get the front spoiler. Right now at 100 MPH your nose will be too light and adding the spoiler lip will substantially stabilize the car.

It's not safe at speed. Same goes if only the front on.

[tdw28210]

Bob, I sort of agree in narrow body form. However, I actually think a ducktail somehow enhances the silhouette of a Targa.

[4flyboy]

Duck it!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

Bob, I sort of agree in narrow body form. However, I actually think a ducktail somehow enhances the silhouette of a Targa.

It all depends on the day, you know.

I like them all but agree, the ducktail is more understated than the Carrera tail and does not rob from the form of the car. It's definitely there but so is the Targa shape. The Carrera tail is just OUT THERE sucking up all the attention. It fits nicely but there is too huge of a statement made. Make sense?

I would like to ask Irwin Komenda his thoughts on how it impacts his design. Oh wait, I meant Butzi. Sorry.

[Cory K]

Thanks for the info guys. I have considered a ducktail. They're definitly not as "in your face" as the current tail. I am wondering if the turbo tail enhances cooling, as the grill likely catches more air as if flows over the rear of the car. I'm sure there is a thread on this topic...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Cory K

I am wondering if the turbo tail enhances cooling, as the grill likely catches more air as if flows over the rear of the car. I'm sure there is a thread on this topic...

Get the front spoiler. It is amazing. Right now you have 350+ pounds of reduced uplift at speed IN THE REAR. You have no offsetting nose reduction.

My boss weighed 450lbs. He got in my car and I took off from a toll booth on the Houston Beltway to 115mph (that's like 105 with speedo error). I said to him, "Damn, this feels so planted". I was talking directly to the solution. Bought both spoilers soon after.

Front and rear spoilers. Take that to the bank.

Regarding air flow, yes, I am guessing, but that is a big flat plane for air to enter.

[Ronnie's.930]

The tail business is definitely in the eyes of the beholder, as I think the Carrera tail looks much better than the duc, based on the above pics of the red Targas, and don't think it does anything to diminish the car's lines or attract too much attention to it. So there!

[javadog]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

Not to get into a whole turbo-look (M491 option) thread, but Travis is right. The guys in Stuttgart did not bolt on tea tray tails (aka turbo tails) onto non-turbo 911's until the advent of the Carrera M491 option in 1984 (with one SUPER rare exception).

Actually, this is not correct. Porsche installed turbo tails on the SC, starting in 1982, if I remember correctly. Might have started in 1981...

A '77 would have had the all-rubber tail, most likely.

JR

[88911coupe]

Personally I really like the whale tail (non turbo) tails on the SC/Carrrera. In fact I bought by current '88 Coupe with tail and then sold my immaculate '87 Cabriolet which did not have a tail. My wife saw a pic of the cab and told me I'd made a mistake selling it! (all happened before we got married). The Turbo/tea tray tails, IMHO, look great on actual Turbos (or Turbo Look cars) but they seem out of scale on the regular SC/Carrera body. Just my opinion...

[TheRedSlantnose]

In my opinion, the tea tray spoiler (turbo tail) doesn't really look right on a non-turbo or non-widebody because it makes the rear end look too skinny. A whale tail or duck tail would look better on a narrow-body 911, and it's recommended to have a front spoiler as well to reduce lift. You can also go for the spoilerless look like you said you wanted to, but personally, I prefer having a spoiler rather than go spoilerless.