Ferrari grows wings, back in 1961.

We all know that it was the British and German aviation industry's know-how that brought big changes to motor racing post WWII, especially to Formula One. What I did not know was that is were the Italians who first used the tail spoiler to improve aerodynamic stability.

After Signore Carlo Chiti realized that they were behind the French and Germans, in terms of research and experience regarding suspensions and aerodynamics, he got a small wind tunnel to be installed at Maranello. It was used to explore new body shapes for F1 cars and sports cars. At first, the aerodynamic studies emphasized on reducing drag to obtain higher speeds. And for the beginning of the 1961 season, twin-nostril noses and high windscreens and tails appeared on the racing Ferraris for the first time. However, with each step forward came a problem (to be solved of course). When test driver Richie Ginther took the new low-drag shape, mid-engined 246 SP, for a test drive at Monza, before its first race the 12 hours of  Sebring, he found the car to be fast on straights but highly unstable in cornering. At the time the engineers were unaware that cars with low-drag shapes tend to move the center of aerodynamic pressure forward, which can destabilize the vehicle, especially one like the 246 SP. Compared to other cars of the time, it had its center of gravity more to the rear. Usually a fin at the rear of the car can help move the center of pressure rearward hereby enhancing stability, like feathers do on an arrow. And so the 246 SP was originally fitted with a fin, and even when more were subsequently added, still no significant improvement in handling could be found. Just when it seemed as if they had no idea on how to move forward, engineer Vittoria Jano suggested installing a spoiler across the upper surface of the tail. Quoting from The Official Book, "working as its name suggested, this was intended to "spoil" or breakup the airflow that seemed to be generating lift over the rear panels of the body." This was a revolutionary idea back in 1961 and after some spoilers were tested at Monza, with the desired effect, the tail spoiler was adopted from 1961 onwards.

Initially Ferrari told enquirers that the rear spoiler was "intended to keep petrol from splashing on the exhaust pipes when the car was being refueled!" This was done to hide this "speed secret" from the competition, but it didn't last long before they caught on.

Source: Book by Giorgio Nada: Ferrari 1947-1997, The Official Book (p. 21-22)

Pictures courtesy of Ultimatecarpage.com