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Dear Boss Wrench,

I know you have removed the rear quarter windows on your Pantera and left them open. Does the air forced under the car and through the decklid opening also exit the quarter window openings? Would scoops be of any benefit at the quarter window openings? Would removing the engine bay covers affect airflow?

Thanks,
Mark Houde
Original Post
Airflow is probably unaffected at normal speeds. The depression in the rear deck creates such a huge low-pressure area behind the cab that airflow from under the car is sucked out regardless of whether the windows are there or not. In addition, the Pantera body sides generates a boundary layer estimated at 6" deep around the rear 1/4 windows, so again, there is no appreciable airflow either in or out any side holes up to about 150mph. There are two 'air scoops' sold- one about 3" deep, one (so-called elephant-ears) about 5" deep, both secured to the window frames. The 5" one does gather some ram-air at least above 150. The window frames are not secured to the body. Only friction between body & rubber gasket hold them in. One racer ripped his left window frame/elephant-ear scoop out at 175 mph- cost him a bundle to replace. Scoops there are probably not worth the cost but needs wind tunnel testing to be sure.
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