Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

possibly silly question, but just wondered if te aerofoil is supposed to stiffen up the less well curved, i.e. lower part of the hatch

Hi Adrian -

On a 944? The 924 had no rear spoiler and both rear glass panels are identical. The 944 rubber rear spoiler design idea was also used later on the 911 Turbo Whale Tail genre. Both cars (944 and 911) would have been tick-boxed by Porsche that this was a good aerodynamic upgrade...

And yes, it does give more integral strength to the rear panel...

Dave

Sorry to disagree, but the 924 from about 1980 has a spoiler, slightly smaller than the 944. Prior to 1980 no spoiler was fitted. The tailgate rigidity comes from the glass being bonded to the steel frame, the spoiler doesn't add strength, if the tailgate is flexing, then the bond has gone.

Thanks scm -

Your knowledge of the 924 series is better than mine, I was under the impression that they carried no spoiler ever!

The spoiler may not add integral strength to the tailgate, as you suggest, but may enhance the safety of the panel/glass itself...?

I have often thought of getting a decent tailgate/glass from a scrapper, just to keep in the event of a mishap - they are extremely expensive to get new - that is if they make them anymore!?

Regards -

Dave

well, having removed my aerofoil, the hatch seems just as stiff as it was....it had a 968 aerofoil which, being rigid (rather than being made from rubber), probably did add some extra overall rigidity, but it probably wasn't needed
...anyway, when i removed the screws holding it on, a load of water came out, so probably a good job i did remove it...i've added some extra drain holes in the screen surround to aid drainage

Currently still available at the bargain price of £4500, I'll have two one for a spare

slightly off topic but I've re-bonded 3 tailgates now to a good standard powdercoated the frame replaced the frit band and powercoated the top clip.....been thinking for a long time since should offer it as a service ...I Still have the jig I made somewhere ........takes about 6 -7 hrs work + driving to and from the powdercoaters so would cost around £350. Do you think there is a demand for this?

I reckon there could well be a demand for that service - are you located fairly centrally for people to get to you? I wouldn't think trusting couriers with getting screens to you and back to owners would be a good thing!

Might the service include repainting the black surround on the glass and refixing whatever spoiler was required?

Sound like a good idea and perhaps some of your other jigs (torque tube bushes comes to mind) and experience might amount to a short list of services that are an awkward diy proposition but which you have worked through and could offer?

Just about every 968 I've seen has had the glass beginning to come apart from the frame. I'm sure that you would get quite a few customers.

£50 per hour, you could be an indie Ken

More like min wage buy the the time you remove powdercoating, adhesive, gas and petrol....

Its an awkward job that, although is within many peoples capabilities, is put off because it takes real attention to detail to get right. Guess who has the experience and proven skills to do it? People will look at the time they might take to tool up and get down to the job and reckon the price being proposed is well worth it!