The latest annoying trend: notched spoilers

[440 4 speed]

I understand and don't doubt engineering simply because I haven't seen it before. When new cars are going 200mph of course they're going to refine the aerodynamics. That's how these were born. ( know what are they from?)
View attachment 1845511

Yes!

 

[Coelacanth]

You know, I never really noticed the notch until I read this thread, now I'm looking at every dang one!!!

That's how it was for me, and why I wanted to post this. Now every time I see a notched spoiler, which is all the time, I get a chuckle out of it. Silly fad that reduces any benefit of having a spoiler in the first place and is only for looks. Not as bad as the giant Amazon wing you see tacked onto every ricer, but in the same vein.

 

[DeltaV]

It takes about ten feet for air to start to recover once it hits and goes over the windshield, you're right, a tailgate down does nothing.

No, it allows the beer cans to exit the truck bed more easily. I used to live in Texas.


An open tailgate also allowed a large toolbox to fall out in front of traffic in Fort Worth. What a mess.

 

[Triplegreen500]

The only spoiler I've ever had do anything at street speeds, is the one on my 72 Satellite Wagon:

(this isn't my car, I don't have a pic of it on this computer so I grabbed one online)

Takes air coming over the roof, and pushes it down into the void behind the car. It actually CLEANS the back window if you're driving in rain or snow - and, by extension, I'm sure it also helps reduce the turbulence/low pressure area behind the car in the process.

Shame they don't do a similar design on cars today. My Grand Cherokee and my Wrangler could sure as hell benefit from something like this; their back windows are COVERED in crap when I have them out in the rain. And economically it would make more sense - one fixed spoiler, compared to wiring, switches, motors, mounts, and blades for a rear wiper.

 

[DeltaV]

View attachment 1845090 From what I understand that at 160MPH the down force is amazing.

Such a great force that it lifts the front wheels off the ground. An innovative speed regulating device for front wheel drive cars!

 

[Schultz64]

I was leafing through a Hot Rod magazine from 1966 last night. Cal Custom had a split spoiler for the trunk lid of any car. Simply drill and bolt on. Seems what's old is new again.

 

[Photon440]

The only spoiler I've ever had do anything at street speeds, is the one on my 72 Satellite Wagon:

(this isn't my car, I don't have a pic of it on this computer so I grabbed one online)

View attachment 1947551

Takes air coming over the roof, and pushes it down into the void behind the car. It actually CLEANS the back window if you're driving in rain or snow - and, by extension, I'm sure it also helps reduce the turbulence/low pressure area behind the car in the process.

Shame they don't do a similar design on cars today. My Grand Cherokee and my Wrangler could sure as hell benefit from something like this; their back windows are COVERED in crap when I have them out in the rain. And economically it would make more sense - one fixed spoiler, compared to wiring, switches, motors, mounts, and blades for a rear wiper.

I think the original purpose for that wing was to reduce the influx of exhaust into the car when the rear window is down during driving. The cleaning effect was an added bonus.

 

[Triplegreen500]

I think the original purpose for that wing was to reduce the influx of exhaust into the car when the rear window is down during driving. The cleaning effect was an added bonus.

Whatever the reason, we need to bring it back. I've thought about getting a spare roof lip spoiler for a WK2 Grand Cherokee and making something similar for myself...

 

[Pecos Bill]

The notched spoiler has been around a while