Ferrari Invented the Rear Spoiler

Who really invented the rear-spoiler? 

Lots of mystery clouds the origination of invention. Yet, the sure-fire winner of who invented the rear-spoiler is Ferrari.

In 1961, Ferrari created the 246 SP to compete in Formula-1 events with teams moving to mid-engine racecars.  The 246 SP had the best aerodynamics that Ferrari could imagine, yet the rounded rear-end of the initial design of the 246 SP was actually harming its own performance.

As such, the design team at Ferrari had to figure out a way to reduce down the lift and drag! And so it did. And to keep the rear spoiler a secret, Ferrari said it was a protection device to keep gasoline from splashing on the hot exhaust during refueling. 

Ferrari settled on a spoiler running the width of the car. Its height and positioned were meticulously adjusted, until the team found an optimal location on the tail that reduced both vehicle lift and drag. A little pace was lost on the straights, but more than made up for through greater high-speed stability in the corners. 

To read more about the history of the 246SP, click here.

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