aerodynamic drag and body style

[Jackie McCracken]

On a 79 Malibu wagon the factory rear spoiler is worth almost 3mph on car that runs just at 100 without it in the quarter.. and the reason for it is that it pulls air from the roof and routes it down the back window (to keep it clean in civilian life) which fills in the vacuum hole behind the car. and if you're wondering how big and powerful that "vacuum hole" is, it is what the cars that make turns use to create their ground effects downforce in sufficient quantities to be able to drive one across the ceiling upside down. The "vacuum hole" is also the reason behind drafting in nascar, if you can get in close enough it will damn near pull you along... need proof of what good aero can do? How about 174 on a bicycle...peddling.


what you really want to do with the front of the car is to smooth the air and keep it out from under the car, along the sides and roof you need to keep it flowing smoothly, and a the back you need to eliminate the "vacuum hole"...


Jackie