Over the years, spoiler design has evolved massively. The main point of a “Wing” on the back of your car is to keep the rear end planted to the ground and for cornering and rear end grip, while limiting top speed, and many car manufacturers will happily take this trade off. For decades, car makers have been trying to outdo themselves by fitting more and more outrageous rear spoilers, from subtle lip spoilers, adaptive ones that can raise and lower depending on speed and braking. Along with crazy designs like the “swan neck” wing as seen on cars like the McLaren Senna. Over the years, spoilers have been made out of many materials, many early wing designs used plastic and fiberglass. But as cars need more downforce these low-cost options where no good. Today many spoilers are made out of the lightweight material carbon fibre, a durable but expensive option, however it is fitting for the latest and greatest supercars.

For Porsche, spoiler design has remained unchanged for many years. On the RS models, we have large wing uprights, perfect for keeping the track focused machine hunkered to the ground. We also have the adaptive rear spoilers, as seen on Carrera models and the GT3 Touring. But there is one spoiler design that many have reigned as champion for many years, the Duck tail.

Sometimes referred to as the “Whale tail” the duck spoiler was first introduced by Porsche in the early 70s, on models such as the Carrera RS and the 930 Turbo. Designed for the 930 and 935 race cars, it was introduced to the turbo in 1974, it was also an optional extra for non turbo cars from 1975. The 930 design was different to the Carrera RS design however, while the RS and a more upright approach, the 930s design was flatter and smoother providing even more downforce than that of the RS.

Since the 930, Porsche was reluctant to re-introduce the Ducktail spoiler, until 2010 that is. The 997 Sport classic was a first for Porsche, painted in its very own color, Sport classic Grey, the car featured small nods to 911s of old. The car had black headlight surrounds, something that first appeared on old turbo models, 2 tone wheels that are a nod to the 930 turbo. And that all-important ducktail. The car was only made in 997 units, making it one of the rarest modern 911s built, and you can tell that from the price tag, as cars still sell for north of £300,000.

Here at design911, we love the ducktail spoiler, it provides a look that can suit any 911. This is why we offer a wide range of ducktail spoilers, that can fit the latest and greatest models like the 991, all the way to the air-cooled models of old, such as the 964.

To keep that classic look on your Porsche, visit our website to purchase the correct ducktail – https://www.design911.com/