Spoilers & Car Wings Research Guide

Choosing the right spoiler or wing for your ride
Which spoiler or wing is right for my vehicle?

Picking the right spoiler or car wing for your vehicle depends on the personality of your ride. Consider the following when trying to select the right one:

  • Which is more important to you: looks or function
  • Whether a factory-style spoiler or car wing model would look best on your vehicle

Which is more important for my vehicle: looks or function?

Spoilers and wings have two distinctly different appearances and functions. Wings sit high enough to make a difference in aerodynamics, while factory-style spoilers have little or no effect on downforce (though they won't increase drag, either).

  • When looks are the most important factor for your vehicle, pick a factory-style spoiler like the Elite Spoiler.
  • If you drive your vehicle at exceedingly high speeds and/or track race with it on the weekends, a wing (like the Warbird Car Wing by Lund) will give you some extra downforce and stability.
  • The best aerodynamic effect is gained by getting a car wing with adjustable decks and tuning the deck angle to match your driving pattern. The Lund Double Eagle Car Wing has this capability.

Would a wing or a spoiler look best on my vehicle?

Choosing between a wing and a spoiler depends on where you want to take the looks of your vehicle. Factory-style spoilers most closely resemble the original part for your vehicle, while wings bring the appearance of a formula-1 race spoiler in a more modern shape (and minus the huge Marlboro logo). Spoilers can be paint-matched to your finish; wings cannot.

  • If you want a seamless look that fits your vehicle's stock appearance, pick a factory-style spoiler like the UCI Factory Spoiler.
  • For custom color-matched style, a factory-style spoiler is the right way to go.
  • Pick a car wing for high-tech, modified sport compact looks (see the Hawk Car Spoiler by Lund).

Great moments in spoiler history: U.S.A.

In 1965, driver Sam McQuagg lined-up in the blocks with the first-ever spoiler used in a NASCAR Grand National Series race, and took the checkered flag at the Firecracker 400 run at Daytona International Speedway. The diminutive 1.5" spoiler made a big difference on the back end of his 66 Dodge Charger Fastback – a design modification made by engineers who noticed their latest racecar tended to lift at high speeds. It was McQuagg's only win, but it had a tremendous impact on stock car racing and automotive design.

Race truck wingsToday, NASCAR uses regulations on spoiler size and shape to balance competition, with different parameters for every track. Drivers say that spoiler regulations subtract too much downforce, making their cars too loose in the turns and difficult to keep off the walls.

Years after McQuagg's victory, the signature Dodge Daytona look was minted with a towering wing addition that became an instant classic. This distinct Daytona spoiler made its return to dealership lots in 2005 as a concept sub-model of the Dodge Ram full-size truck. The rear spoiler, much shorter than the original, sits just above the tailgate – a sign that the automakers are catching on to the growing trend of truck spoilers installed to the stake pockets or mounted to a hard tonneau cover.

We hope you have found our Spoilers & Car Wings Research Guide Center a good guide in helping you choose the best Spoilers & Car Wings for your vehicle. It is AutoAnything's goal to provide the most information on the Internet and through our Auto Accessory Specialists on every product we sell. If you have any information that you think could help improve this section, please email us at researchcenter@autoanything.com.