Gurney Flap on a Pick-Up Truck

[Vekke]

That mustang lip can also help the diffusor to work better if designed properly.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by AeroModder

There's just dead air under the Mustang's spoiler there.

Yes, that was my point, the Mustang fiberglass piece is not a wing at all, yet the Wiki author chose to call the black strip a Gurney Flap. Although not accurate it is a common mistake, one I made in the title as well.

Not all near vertical strips are Gurney Flaps, however calling a rear spoiler of similar profile is common practice. Perhaps to distinguish it from wings and other profiles. Perhaps another reason for this is that some air does move under a car (or truck) body, and the vortex of swirling air from the rear spolier is having similar aerodynamic benefits to that of a true Gurney Flap on a wing.

[kach22i]

I think I fell into a common mistake, so I want to get some clarification here. I do believe that in modern culture (and marketing hype) that any time a near vertical element is added to a vehicle and or spoiler of any type it gets labeled a "Gurney Flap".

This does not make it right, and certainly not historically correct as that phrase should be reserved for additions to wings, right?

To illustrate:
Aerodynamics

HAMANN GURNEY - FLAP
Mounting on HAMANN rear spoiler
In fiberglass

An illustration of the questions brought up:
Automobile pictures by kach22i - Photobucket


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Not to confuse the issue.

dangurneyspoilerii - stonesriveraaca

The NASCAR Dan Gurney race car.