Tail or No Tail

[HarryD]

OK, what does the brain trust say?

TAIL



NO TAIL

[Bill Douglas]

A tail looks wrong on a Targa; particularly an early Targa. And also on such a very nice! Targa.

[bugstrider]

+1 on what Mr Bill said. Removed ours off the SC Targa myself. Doesn't have the curves of the coupe.


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[HaroldMHedge]

If you go for a tail it needs to be the early whale or duck tail to be period correct not the 80s Carrera tail.

Harold
87 911 Carrera
82 911SC

[Doug&Julie]

No tail. Not just that it's a Targa, but a narrow body car. Tails are best on a car with flares / curves. It helps that it's a Carrera tail and not the thicker Turbo tail, but it still looks "off" to me...

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

No tail. Not just that it's a Targa, but a narrow body car. Tails are best on a car with flares / curves. It helps that it's a Carrera tail and not the thicker Turbo tail, but it still looks "off" to me...

This.

[rattlsnak]

^^ agreed.

[Noah930]

The only tail that looks good on a Targa (IMO) is a Duck. All the others look ... not so good.

Personally, I'd go plain. But if you put on bigger (wider) wheels and lowered it a bit, a Duck would look great.

[Sunroof]

Bottom line is that the tails work!!!! If you haven't driven an older 911 with a whale tail, you can feel the car squat down after 40+mph. When I drove a buddy-s 1977 911 with a whale tail many years ago, I was amazed that it functioned. Indeed tails look better on coupes, but the 73.5T should have the original DUCK tail if originality is important. I will assume that a DUCK tail might provide more down force on the rear given its high deflection angle......................

Bob
73.5T

[OldSpool87]

No tail or duck tail.

[Flojo]

targa: no tail (for the overall charm of it)
coupé: ducktail or no tail
turbo: whaletail or no tail

longhoods: no tail!
RS/.tribute: ducktail

[shadowjack1]

I like a tail, makes the car stand out in a crowd.

[Geronimo '74]

No tail on this one.
I'd change those wheels for period correct Fuchs as well.

[lpsalsaman]

Well, I guess it is a personal preference thing. I personally have always love the ducktail, so when I got my 85 Targa which came with a Carrera tail, I replaced it with a ducktail. The duck gives it a better look than the Carrera tail in my opinion. The Carrera tails and whale tails are best suited for Turbo look or wider fender cars. If my Targa would have had a wider body I still would have put the Duck, because the Targa top and rear window makes the car look taller than a coupe. Coupes look good with Carrera or Turbo tails. Anyway that is my opinion, plus is my ride so that is what I want to do with it.

[uwanna]

A tail without a corresponding front spoiler can contribute to a dangerous handling situation! Beware.

[speedster911]

narrow body car = no tail

Wide body tail = duck tail

[MBAtarga]

Tail (I'm biased!)

[Racerbvd]

[sky1jord]

No tails on Targas, please.

[Dodge Man]

At least get an "S" front bumper with the tail to balance the look a bit, please! Duck is just right for long hood/narrow body with an "RS" front bumper & a small drop. IMHO Balance the car aero look/function. I read that the Duck was developed to run 150 mph in the very early 70's at the old Ontario (CA) Speedway that is now an outlet mall(off old Pelican Post). Whale/Turbo Tails are way too much rear downforce without front aero parts. Whale Tail will make the car "front light" with a stock "T" bumper. I run ROW 3.0 in a 73 Targa and the "T" bumper with a stock lid on a 3 mile straight was loose even on a calm day. I went out and got the Duck & an RS bumper. Make yourself happy.

Impact with Aero or Long Hood? IMHO try to stay with a period motif.


A Duck also makes a nice place for a big shop cat to stand guard against rodents and get warm on a cold day. Good Kitty, no rodent chewed wires.