Is the rear design on the 1968 to 1973 Corvettes called a 'kammback'? I've looked it up and come up with conflicting info, or no info at all. If it is the right call would the C-4, C-5 and C-6 also be considered the same?

 

I had to look that term up...
Our cars don't really slope down at the back like the ones they give as examples. The rear deck is pretty flat until 78... And if you go backwards, the 63-67 rear deck is still pretty flat except for the window area which is tear-dropped ontop (again like 78+ more or less)
So I'd vote no, not kammback
68-73 not even a ducktail
M

 

Not that I am aware.

 

Ecklers had a hatchback conversion in the 70s and 80s that met the definition of a Kammback.

 

The 'flying buttress' is what the design is called which comes off the rear window/ top. I'm sure there's a name for the rear design on the '68 thru '73. Why not? The '74 thru '82 has the duck tail!

 

I thought it was the reverse sugar scoop...
M

 

Wilifrund Kamm was an Aerodynamicist. In Germany. He found that if you 'cut' the tail off of a car and blended a small spoiler at that 'cut', the air would 'break-off 'cleanly and reduce drag and turbulence.

Yes the 68-73 was indeed a Kammback.
The 74-82 was NOT.

The sugar scoop rear window COMPLETELY obviated that Kamm effect creating much drag and turbulence. However these were the very early days of Aerodynamics in cars and computer modeling was not available yet. Back in the day we used to use 'wool tufts' and food coloring dye to figure out where the wind was going.
The C-3's (most of them) had a CD of .504....which was ATROCIOUS.
The C-2 had so much lift in the nose that the car was basically undriveable at 130 mph.

Duntov's first job was to find out why the C-1's exhaust was plastering black soot all over the rear of the car..... he used wool tufts.

I have had many Kammback cars in my life....I prefer the shape aesthetically as well.

Long sloping tail-sections actually CAN increase the CD of a car. Porsches famous 'Long-heck' rear was a Kamm type design

His designs are still used today...brilliant guy!

And ye!s the C-4> C-8 ARE modified Kamm-tails.....the best being the C-5.

Unkahal

 

M

 

No, C3's are not Kammbacks. The closest would be the 78 & 79, but still not quite.

 

It's a KAMM-TAIL not a KAMMBACK.....however the Eckler's Wagons WERE KAMMBACKS. There is a distinct difference.

 

I think L-46 is correct. Historically, the 68-73’s tail panel was routinely referred to as a “Kama-tail.” Although this terminology was more often used by the international crowd.

 

That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks, L

 

There was also this guy and according to his definition I would call the rear of a 68 - 73 only "Kamm like" as it doesn't fully meet the definition he mentions. A dip into Google on the subject was a bit like stepping into a minefield so this is just my take from what I read. This is an excerpt from Wikipedia if you want to dip into the pool

 

We don't know what that is down here in Tennessee. But we DO know about... 'Mon back !

You know.... when the dump truck is bringing a load of gravel into your driveway, and the work boss tells the driver... " 'Mon back, 'Mon back."

 

Great detective work Haggis!

 

Do a Google image search...imo there's never been a production C3 that comes close to looking like a kammback. The Vega station wagon was a factory kammback. Chevy even put a rather large "kammback" emblem above each rear side marker light.
I think the Hyundai Veloster is a good looking modern example of a kammback.

 

This is what I always think of when talking about a Kamm back.

 

it is a variation on the theme. and if you think about it, the coupe has 2 of them. 1 at back window and 1 at taillight panel.

 

Well that's quite the observation. I wonder how the 68 to 73's would do in a wind tunnel today.

 

From the 72 buyers guide

Kamm theory spoiler.