The Forward Look- more than just fins/Exner SAE Paper

[dardal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Quoting Don Nonnweiler <dnonnwei@xxxxxxxxx>:

> and we all remember the wings of the superbird and daytona.  But the
> main
> reason Exner used wind tunnels was because in those days Chrysler
> backed
> there racing teams alot
> Don
> 59 Crown
> 55 St regis

The wings on the Superbird have nothing to do with the fins of the fifties cars 
that were merely styling themes.  Actually, during the mid sixties Chrysler was 
doing some really good work with vehicle aerodynamics, much of it was published 
in SAE and some of it actually may have reached the SAE transactions (only the 
best papers get there).  This work was mainly about the development of the 
Dodge Charger body and the aerodynamic aids (front spoiler mainly to reduce 
lift from the front and the rear spoiler to also reduce rear lift at the 
expense of some drag, and later the nose job for the Daytona).  This work 
allowed significant aerodynamic improvements, but unlike the fifites fins, also 
created real ugly bodies (although, this term is certainly relevant).  As far 
as I know, this was the first time Chrysler did any serious aerodynamic 
work.    
D^2