I know how you feel. I dreamed of owning a 911 for 30 or more years and finally bought a 74 911 in 1999. It didn't come with a whale, but I found one and installed it. I could feel the additional stability it provided whenever I ventured about 50 or 60 or so, but I couldn't come to terms with the way it looked. It didn't look bad, I think I just preferred the cleaner styling of the 911 as it came. I think I removed and reinstalled that Whaletail 4 or 5 times before I finally removed it for good and sold it. I think I like the Ducktail better, but the best solution is the Rising Spoiler as provided on the type 964. The dimensions of the engine cover are the same for my 74 and a Ty 964, but I'm not sure I would have clearance under the hood for the extra stuff needed to operate the spoiler.
Anyway, I know what you are going through. While the whale tail does help with stability, the looks are a personal thing. Good luck with a decision....
Whale Tail?
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Royhaberman
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I opt for no tail. Had my 81 SC targa since new. Added front spoiler early on (at 130 mph didn’t notice any negative handling). Always kept eyeing them but never pulled the trigger. To me only belong in the Turbo / turbo look. Did restoration in 2012 & glad I continued without it.
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Roy
1974 914 2.0 powder blue (sold)
1981 911SC Targa Rosewood (since new)
2013 911S white with aero & power kit (sold)
2018 911Turbo S Cabriolet. Agate gray & bordeaux red
1974 914 2.0 powder blue (sold)
1981 911SC Targa Rosewood (since new)
2013 911S white with aero & power kit (sold)
2018 911Turbo S Cabriolet. Agate gray & bordeaux red
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drWyreMoore
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 11:41 am
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Yes.
My 87 cab came with a factory whale tail, I believe, as I am at least the third owner. Had it now 23 yrs as a daily driver and put 200,000 local and mostly highway miles on it - total 255,000 miles.
Do like (makes me smile still) the overall look, although down force on the rear at very high speeds (imagine, one time only, downhill with the wind, 150 mph+ , the only car on a 4-lane banked curve) makes the front end very very lite (scary and dangerously so) without a matching front spoiler lip. (Used to think I had a front spoiler with marginal ground clearance, but none now. Did have some front end metal replaced yrs ago, the result of a hidden battery acid leak)
The car most always gets a passer-by, stranger of all ages or vehicle to go side by side with a thumbs up and smile. If parked, some take pictures. Yeah, do like the look. Best with the top down. Two pictures from 2022 Chicago at 35 yrs on the road. (Rims came with her, believed from a 91 turbo.)
My 87 cab came with a factory whale tail, I believe, as I am at least the third owner. Had it now 23 yrs as a daily driver and put 200,000 local and mostly highway miles on it - total 255,000 miles.
Do like (makes me smile still) the overall look, although down force on the rear at very high speeds (imagine, one time only, downhill with the wind, 150 mph+ , the only car on a 4-lane banked curve) makes the front end very very lite (scary and dangerously so) without a matching front spoiler lip. (Used to think I had a front spoiler with marginal ground clearance, but none now. Did have some front end metal replaced yrs ago, the result of a hidden battery acid leak)
The car most always gets a passer-by, stranger of all ages or vehicle to go side by side with a thumbs up and smile. If parked, some take pictures. Yeah, do like the look. Best with the top down. Two pictures from 2022 Chicago at 35 yrs on the road. (Rims came with her, believed from a 91 turbo.)
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I've owned a 74 911 since 1999 and it came with an unattached whale tail. I installed it and uninstalled it probably 6+ times and like you, I still cannot decide which I prefer. I could feel the extra downforce with a tail in place and noticed the loss of downforce above 70mph whenever I removed it. I think the solution Porsche provided on the ty.964 with the spoiler that rises at 60mph is the best. Anyway, best wishes on your 911!