When you think of a classic 911, the ducktail is likely one of the first characteristics that pops into your mind. The first Porsche with a ducktail rear wing/spoiler (called the “Entenbürzel” in German) was the 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Aerodynamicist Hermann Burst, known for his work on the 917 race car, had been tasked with correcting the vehicle’s aerodynamic lift. He told Car and Driver in 2022: “The problem was that we weren’t supposed to change the original shape of the 911. So, we were looking for the simplest way to improve both drag and lift.”
It was a significant moment in Porsche design because it was the first rear spoiler on a production vehicle. According to the automaker, the wing was given its nickname by the Porsche marketing department because of its shape. If you dig a little further, you’ll learn that marketing execs were unimpressed with the looks of the spoiler, and it was not a compliment when they compared its similarity to a waterfowl’s rear plumage. Little did they know that what they thought was an eyesore would end up being an iconic piece of Porsche design.
The ducktail wing was necessary because the Carrera RS was lightweight and needed something that would help keep it grounded to the road. The wing increased downward pressure on the rear wheels. The ducktail spoiler, as well as front aerodynamic enhancements, were incorporated into the RS’s production to improve its performance. As a bonus, the ducktail also boosted the cooling of the flat-six engine behind the rear axle. Porsche capped the height of the spoiler because German regulators worried motorcyclists would gravely harm themselves if they hit the sharp edge of the ducktail.
When promoting the vehicle, the marketing department created the slogan, “Only 500 men are going to drive it…” The automaker has acknowledged that selling 500 was a somewhat lofty goal, at least partially because the Carerra RS was quite pricey at the time. In the end, 1,525 example were sold—more than three times the amount Porsche had predicted, proving its popularity among enthusiasts.
Today, most Porschephiles are pro-ducktail. They like it so much that many classic 911 owners often add them to their late 70’s and early 80’s SCs, Carrera 3.2s and 964s. An original touring spec Carrera RS in average condition can fetch as much as $500,000, while vehicles with the sport trim package have sold for as much as seven figures. If you’re a fan of the ducktail but want a more modern 911, you can purchase a 911 Sport Classic. While it’s much different from its predecessor, the iconic rear wing is an obvious homage to the classic Carrera RS.

Thank you, Noelle, for another well-written, informative and entertaining article.
Allen Fossbender