Duck/NoDuck

[EsGeht]

Here's a de-Ducktion for y'all. In the excitement of getting the car was ready for paint I forgot to have the stock decklid painted, too. I wanted the option to go Duck or NoDuck. It's been 15 years since. I recently had an ugly dent in the hood repaired. This time I had the lid painted and just now put it on. The Duck is iconic, for sure, but it also interrupts the beautiful flow of the original lines of the stock lid. My grandson's friends protested in favor of the Duck, of course. I'll go back to the Duck eventually, but I'm enjoying the look of RS flares and the stock lid.

[gled49]

I did both as well, u never know.

[Chuck Miller]

Of the 34 years with my car...
First 7 without, next 21 with, last 6 without....

Don't plan on putting back on for a long while...

Cheers,
cm

[RSTarga]

Chuck, Any lap time difference w/without at Willow? Handling differences?

[911MRP]

Comparisons of some different configurations back in 73 as carried out and published by a German magazine



Some qualitative benefits of the RS combination were noted at the time too.

These classic 911 are 5 decades old so not the last word in performance and not all drivers want to have spoilers or have opportunity exploit these differences that Porsche spent time and money developing in the wind tunnel for the last iteration of the so-called long-hood.

Whatever you like and feel most comfortable with, I’d say.

HtH

Steve

[Chuck Miller]

Chuck, Any lap time difference w/without at Willow? Handling differences?

Objectively the car's been developed through the years. The 2.7 rebuild 20 years ago, two suspension upgrades, different track tires... etc.

Just speaking of Willow Springs:

I haven't had the car on the 'Big track' since the tail came off 6 years ago... On the 'Short track' you're barley getting into 4th in either direction...

The years I had it on, and was on the big track in 5th coming into turn 8, I was sure glad it was there !!!...

On a clear straight desert highway coming near the top of 5th the tail REALLY settles the front of the car...
On a hot CA summer day the tail also lowers the median engine temp slightly...

However, to be honest, I don't think I'll be seeking the top of 5th like I used to.... AND, I just like the look without the tail ....

[t6dpilot]

Hey Mike. Fellow Chicagoan here. I am a big fan of a clean engine lid on flared cars. They both look great, but I like the RS flares with no duck.

[RSTarga]

Esthetically it is not important to me either way. The benefits of the Duck are important to me for my usage, cooler engine temps, better a/c operation, less sensitivity to cross winds or oncoming 16 wheelers on two lane roads. Of course overall better aerodynamic balance.

[911MRP]

It seems the balance the point you make is sometimes lost I see front RS but aluminium no ducktail rear or vice versa. Not sure what the thought process is to arrive at soch configuration choices.

Steve

[RickWhite]

This is repeating what has been said elsewhere, but from reasonably extensive personal experience, above 100 mph, and certainly above 120 mph, you want mit front- und heckspoiler! I have no idea whether the front air dam or ducktail matters more (I have friends that will swear by an even more aggressive front splitter and the tea tray tail), but above three digits the car is frightening to drive without and lovely to drive with. I can't imagine the intestinal fortitude it took to get a 2.2 S above 130 mph on the autobahn in 1971, but then maybe it was normal back then for cars to wonder around at speed (I don't believe anyone had the patience to get a 2.2 T above 130, and I say that as an owner of two of them!).

All of that said, the cars look better without, imho. Plus, the ducktail and license plate panel get soiled promptly, quickly attaining the brownish sheen of a heavy smoker's teeth, who is only casually familiar with a toothbrush never mind the occasional visit to the dentist.