Wagon Spoiler/wing Purpose?

[Brown_Muscle]

I have a wagon spoiler/wing/thing I can put on the car, however I'm not certain it's worth it for the extra air drag. Someone told me it was to make the air move over the back window in such a way that it would deflect dirt and rain from getting on the rear window. Was this it's purpose for certain? Is it worth putting on? I know they are rare

-Phil

[kishy]

No clue, but I definitely want one so if you opt not to install it please shoot me a PM...

[His Royal Ghostliness]

Ever followed a pickup truck with a bed cap moving at decent speed during snowfall? Seen all the air turbulence behind it and how it seems to suck the snow and pile it up on the back of said truck? That's what the wing does, creates a bit of a down-draft in the area of the rear window, it's good for keeping the crap from building up on the rear glass as fast as it typically does. Mostly effective against snow and dust, rain drops are heavier and are not affected by that relatively weak airflow. Box-body Suburbans also had that option FWIW. I'd say install it and see how you like it. As for aero-drag, well you are driving a brick on wheels, with a station wagon you have more aero drag than a sedan just by the shape of the body in the rear, that little wing IMHO won't make much of a difference in that regard. Like I said, try it this winter, see if it works like it's supposed to. You can always pull it and sell it later on.

[CountrySedan]

Even if its effect is minimal, it adds style points. Since it was introduced in 1969, any Ford/Merc wagon without an air deflector just seems to be "missing something" in my opinion.

[gadget73]

It also keeps exhaust from being drawn in through the open rear tailgate. Its a useful thing, and may actually very slightly help overall aerodynamics since you won't basically be drawing a vacuum. Agreed that its basically a brick on wheels though, it will not seriously alter things. You're never going to get legit hypermile economy out of an 80s station wagon.

[WagonMan]

The wing on my Superbird does nothing aerodynamically until you are doing over 160 MPH. The wing on our wagons won't do anything. The wing on our wagons makes a nice place for the birds to sit and shit on the rear window. WagonMan

[His Royal Ghostliness]

The wing on my Superbird does nothing aerodynamically until you are doing over 160 MPH. The wing on our wagons won't do anything.

Apples to oranges though - different purpose, different profile, yada yada yada. But you're right that for vehicle aerodynamics improvement it won't do anything. Actually the faster you go the more it will interfere, since by shape it's more of an air brake (in airplane terms) than even a flap (also in airplane terms). But if it helps keep snow off the rear window, that's a good thing, especially since these cars don't have a rear wiper (unless you're Donald) and thus the windshield-mounted rearview mirror can become all but useless in a short order.

[Brown_Muscle]

Interesting. It won't hurt for me to try it out. I need some more wood vinyl, someone said Jaywish has a lot....

If this adds "Street Cred" i'm definitely down, I live my life a 1/4 mile, and a load of 4x8 plywood at a time.

[His Royal Ghostliness]

For the street cred I'd think you'll want the front lowered a bit, and some nice fat rear tires, cause hot-rod (it's already got the blackout tint on the glass, so you're good there). Just remember that it doesn't matter if you win by an inch or by a mile, winning is winning

As for the woodgrain vinyl, I ain't touching that hornet's nest - PM the respective person and see what they can do for you.