They've adorned Mustangs since the '60s, but...why??
I can understand non-functional hood scoops because they mimic the look of a functioning ram air hood scoop.
I get this concept.
But what I don't get are window and door scoops that have never—in the history of the vehicle—served any useful purpose.
Sure, they look cool, but they have always been made to look like they draw air into the vehicle for some reason. Yet they have never served this purpose.
Can anyone tell me why this is such a trend, especially with Mustangs?
Have these types of scoops ever served a purpose?
If so, what part of the car do they help keep cool?

 

I think (and i am sure someone will gladly correct me if i am wrong ... LOL) that both served a purpose at one time or another. The quarter window scoops were done by shelby, he claimed that they were to direct more air over the rear spoiler to help with the downforce at the back of the car (never quite believed it worked but thats what he is rumored to have said) and the louvers were to allow the quarter windows to open (sort of) and allow ventilation through the cabin.
the lower quarter panel scoops actually worked as well at one time (and i think again with the begining of the previous model0 to allow air to the rear brakes for cooling. I thing they stopped because it was a major area of rust in the earlier versions and was to expensive for the more recent ones.
In both cases they were functional at one time or another and did serve a purpose.
Personally, unless they actually served a function again, they are not something i would put on mine (including the hood scoop).

 

Thank you for clearing that up for me!

 

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I put the scoops on mine because:
1. The 1/4 window to me was a major eye sore (always thought that from the first time I saw the car) So I wanted to cover it up
2. The side was too plain without the side scoop....the "C" body line has no style to it.....it just fades off into nothing. So the scoop just helps give the side a little more dimension

 

I like the scoops to cover the upper 1/4 window, but unsure if I will get them.

 

The reason for the scoops in front of the rear wheels is that the very original concept Mustang was a mid-engine V-4. They were intended as radiator cooling ducts. When the Falcon was converted to a Mustang in mid-1964, the fake duct made it.

 

Ahhhhh...that makes a LOT of sense.
Thanks!

 

Shelby himself lamented the evolution of his Mustangs. The '65 was all function. Side scoops actually did blow air on the brakes. In '66 the quarter window was a weight saving device, as it weighed less than the vent that it replaced, plus it gave better visibility, though I doubt it was used that often. In '67-'68, the emphasis went more to esthetics than function. The upper and lower scoops gave a nod to the Mk ll GT40, but the lower scoops were just for looks because most people didn't need brake ducts and Ford wanted to save money. The upper scoops were just covers over the stock vent mechanism, but still vented the cabin. I like the look of the scoops on the '05, but it seems unnecessary to copy something that didn't really have a purpose to begin with. Shelby didn't want unnecessary adornment on the '07, but I think scoops look cool just for the nostalgia.

 

nice car Dane...