As most of you know, we're fans of just about everything Porsche. That's why when we were looking through the pictures that accompanied today's press release about Porsche's new Exlusive options for the 991 we were dismayed at how bad we thought the new "ducktail" looked.
If memory serves, the "ducktail" first debuted on the '73 911 RS, what some "purists" consider to be the holy grail of long-hood Porsche production. Since then the ducktail has been retrofitted on almost every conceivable Porcshe platform and we even saw it in production for the Porsche 911 Sports Classic. On both the '73 911 RS and the Sports Classic, the ducktail works. It's simple, clean lines are an extension of the 911 and the Sports Classic even managed to incorporated a third brake light without destroying the look.
This new version, available as part of the "Sport Design package", in my opinion is just horrible. It lacks the smooth lines of the original and almost looks like an afterthought. What say you? Are we reading too much into a rendering? Or, did Porsche get the design wrong with this option? At least the Aerokit Cup package still looks pretty sharp (that's it below).
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Throughout the years Porsche has made changes that caused momentary cardiac situations for many Porchephiles, i.e.,the 356 went away and the 911 was introduced, the Boxster, the Cayman, the Panamara and Cayenne. Okay, one must not like/care for all models/configurations produced, but I believe a true Porschephile has allegiance to the Marque – for which there is ‘No Substitute’.
I think all of the ducktails have messed up the clean line of the 911. Back in 74 they were a statement about function trumping looks. But they worked so well that the design flaw that was the shape was overcome- and became the style. Bringing it back on the 991 seems silly given the elegance of the deployable spoiler (pared or deployed).
As for the wings on street cars, that is a whole other discussion (as in mine is bigger than yours…).
IMO all the ducktails are ugly, plus unnecessary on newer models as CB points out. I do however think some of the wings look good…but I am content with my automatic spoiler that only deploys above the speed limit. Not so sure it “looks good” deployed.
Agree with CB & Chuck about the spoilers and wings especially here in the USA. I mean with the speed limits we have it is purely for looks. Now if one routinely visits the track – different line of thought. I think the automatic spoiler is not only adequate but reasonably functional for a street car in the USA. And, it is good looking deployed.
How about we talk about the ugly tailights on the 991. What a step in the wrong direction. They had it right with the 993; lets go back to those wide rear fenders, married to the long bar of red. That was perfection in design. I had a 997, my next will be a 993!