Whale Tail?

ChrisMcC · #1

Hi All: I've had a 1989 Carrera cab with the Whale Tail for three years now and I STILL can't make up my mind about it. If you're a lover of the SC or 3.2 series 911's, are you Pro Whale Tail or Con? And if I wanted to try life without mine (I'd hold onto it of course!) have you seen a good source for a black deck lid to swap in? Thanks!

Rokemester · #2

I have an 87 Targa. I bought it with a Carrera tail and it had the 80s vibe which some people thought was cool. I did a respray several years ago and decided to go flat back. Everyone has an opinion, but many seem to believe the only 911 that can pull off a tail is a coupe. I found a used flat deck lid and incorporated into my refresh. I also had my tail resprayed. It is now wall art in my garage. To each is own! I see plenty of cabs and targas with tails.

The first pick is of the car when I first got it. Sorry I don't have a great shot of the flat back, but the other shot is from a road trip to Checkeditout Chicago this past summer.

atown · #3

Hi Chris, I bought mine with a whale tail as well and was looking for a different look. I was debating between the duck tail or no tail clean look. In the end, I went with the classic, clean look because it's timeless and my friend had a deck lid. I bought the plastic grill on ebay.

I'm happy with the look, but at some point I will switch it out again just to keep things fresh... or maybe go duck!

One thing to note is that since the whale tail is much heavier, the decklid springs are weighted oddly without it. Just makes it a bit harder to close so not a big deal.

Rokemester · #4

...I prefer the classic lines of my 911 Targa, without the tail. Someone way down the line who will own this Targa will have the option of adding the front and rear spoilers. Also note that I did remove the front spoiler, also tucked safely away. It's a big NO NO of Porsche purists to have one or other of the spoilers on separately. Performance issues at high speed, which I really never see in Northeast Ohio!

Rokemester · #5

atown wrote: Sat Feb 25, 2023 1:05 pm Hi Chris, I bought mine with a whale tail as well and was looking for a different look. I was debating between the duck tail or no tail clean look. In the end, I went with the classic, clean look because it's timeless and my friend had a deck lid. I bought the plastic grill on ebay.

I'm happy with the look, but at some point I will switch it out again just to keep things fresh... or maybe go duck!

One thing to note is that since the whale tail is much heavier, the decklid springs are weighted oddly without it. Just makes it a bit harder to close so not a big deal.

There you go! The coupe looks cool with the Tail!

Rokemester · #6

Love your coupe by the way! Here is a better shot of the rear end of my Targa.

blueline · #7

@atown
@Rokemester

Great looking cars you two. The clean looks are special - they look great to me. Side note - I noticed a pup enjoying the back seat of atown's car. Dogs are the best!

Thanks for the pictures and welcome to Carpokes! Same welcome to you too @ChrisMcC and thanks for your thread starter!

ChrisMcC · #8

Great stuff thanks all! If I can get it together and find a clean deck lid to try the swap (keeping the original one and the front spoiler of course!) I think that's in my future. I sometimes tell myself that the spoilers are sitting the car down at higher speeds, but to be fair, my "higher speeds" haven't really been all THAT high.

Privateer383 · #9

Hello. We have an ‘86 Targa with no spoiler. I really like the clean lines without any spoiler. BUT, I also like the look of a DUCK TAIL. I think it adds a nice touch of sportiness without too far a departure from those nice clean lines. I have heard duck tail engine covers are available in single-piece fiberglass, but have not been diligent in my search. Guess it’s about time I got down to it! Whatever you decide, it’s YOUR car, so do whatever YOU want!

Steam Driver · #10

My '82 911SC project car has a factory Turbo tail that some P/O added. (You can tell it's not factory because there is a miss-mash of fasteners used to hold it on, no consistency.) I hate it.

As soon as the car is running and sorted out that is going to go. Along with the Recaro "Classic C" somewhat upholstered dentist's chairs that grace the interior also But for now the priority for time and money is getting it to run. If I go to any tail at all, it would be the duck tail.