fastback79

I am debating wether or not to put a rear spoiler on my 79' . Sometimes the lip looks good and sometimes not. One restoration guide even called the spoiler an afterthought (distasteful comment). Any opinions out their on the spoiler would be appreciated.

Neo Fender

I think '78s and '79s look better without the spoiler (my opinion). I recently had the opportunity to buy a spoiler in excellent condition and matching color from a wrecked '79 but decided not to. Although it is smaller, I think GM did a much better jub of integrating the spoiler on the '80-82 models.

The spoiler is also supposedly functional in decreasing drag/increasing mileage. Not sure how much of this is due to the front spoiler.


[Modified by Neo Fender, 9:54 AM 12/6/2001]

ylose

its all opinion...mine was allready on...I like it.

BUT....if you look...mine is blended into the body....NO SEAMS....I think that makes a big difference.

Captain Morgan

ylose,
Which spoiler was already on and blended? The lower one? Either someone installed an 80-82 rear bumper or they did one hell of a job blending the 78-79 spoiler.

79MakoL82

ylose's front clip and rear bumper look like 80-82's to me. Personally, I don't like the "blended" spoilers on the 80-82's. I actually prefer the look of the PC spoilers.

Sting Raycin

I never have liked the rear spoiler on 78 or 79's, except for on the actual pace cars. My car had a 80-82 rear bumper on it when I got it, and I took that off so I an put the original style back on there. :flag
Jason

Chris@VetteFinders

I REALLY like them, but of course I'm biased

Easy Mike

My apologies to some of my fellow Forum members, but it is my humble opinion add-on spoilers of any type look lousy on a Corvette. They look like "stuck on" afterthoughts because they are. The '78 Pace Car can almost get away with it because we are used to seeing these cars with the spoilers. Just the same, those, too, look "stuck on." I vote to leave well enough alone.
:)

Chris@VetteFinders

Thats OK Mike, I always hated chrome bumpers too because they look so "added-on" :jester

79MakoL82

Yeah, I think those were an afterthought too. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sometimes, the afterthought is better than the original thought. My opinion, I'd rather have the 78-79 with or without the spoiler than the 80-82 "original thought" rear-end. That rear end just never did look right to me. Tha's only my opinion though. You're entitled to yours too. :cheers:

Chris@VetteFinders

I knew I liked you.

Easy Mike

Ouch.:)
Remember, they were chrome on both ends before they were rubber. :)

Chris@VetteFinders

Ya, they corrected the problem. ;)

Paul L

I prefer the 1980-82 look but this is my car and I can live with the tacked-on look.






[Modified by paul79, 3:43 PM 12/6/2001]

Lt1er

Does anyone Know if they really serve a purpose? Just wondering.

Easy Mike

Touche. I got a smile out of that. :)

MassVette

My 1979 came factory equipped with "Pace Car" spoilers. Judging by the sales figures for the 1978 Pace Car, I'd say they appealed to a LOT of 'Vette people.
They look good, IMHO, and are actually quite functional. I replaced the ripply rear one with fiberglass, though.
:yesnod: :cool: :yesnod:

daniel77350

I have a "after thought"(aka. spoiler), and like it or not, its staying..

whatever you decide to call it, I like it, thats good enough for me. :jester

Daniel

Green 79

I like the cleaner lines without spoiler. But then again I don't have one on my 79. So I may be biased.

Captain Morgan

Yes, they do serve a purpose. I saw a small clip in Corvette Fever about the amount of horsepower needed to overcome wind resistance at some speed over 100 (not sure of exact speed). The 80-82 body style needed much less HP to overcome that resistance. Now I don't know if that is a result of the front or rear spoiler but I would assume it's mostly the front. However, I'm sure the rear does it's part to increase downforce. Frankly, I like the looks of the front spoiler, not to thrilled with the "after-thought" rear though. I saw the front spoiler on a 72 and it looked real nice. JMHO