7 of Our Favorite Side Scoops and Vents
Be it a scoop, duct, or even speed holes (they make the car go faster, you know), there’s little doubt that negative space improves a vehicle’s design. Some are real and help with induction, cooling, or aerodynamics, but many are fake. With the wide variety of body side holes available, we asked the Hagerty Media team for their thoughts on the best examples of the breed. While many of their answers won’t surprise you, some are likely to do just that!
RUF CTR Yellowbird
“I’m a sucker for the side scoops in the original 1987 RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird.’ So massive, so bold, and necessary for that car to cement its name in history as one of the all time greats. Speaking of which, it’s about time for my monthly watch of Faszination on the Nürburgring. —Nathan Petroelje
Ferrari 308
“I’m going Ferrari here. Testarossa is the obvious choice, but it’s almost too obvious. The F40 nearly nails the look with its twin NACA ducts, but everything on that car is overshadowed by the rear wing. The 348 is too ‘baby Testarossa,’ and while the 355 is a bit more understated, I’m going to go with the long, sharp simple scoop carved out of the belt line of the 308.” —Stefan Lombard
Pontiac Trans Am (Second Gen)
“I had a hard time pinning one down. First-gen Shelby Mustangs, Cayman GT4RS, Italian anything. Even the box-flare scoop on the mid-engined Ford Shogun looks cool to me—I like aggressive-looking cars. But I’m going to go with second-gen Pontiac Trans Am fender vents. They’re a cool design, I’ve been drawn to them since I was a kid, and they’re a nice bit of ‘means business’ on the side of a car that was all about bravado.” —Eddy Eckart
Ferrari Testarossa
I have to go with Testarossa. Not picking it as an icon and pop culture masterpiece is like not acknowledging Harley Earl’s impact on car design. The way Pininfarina got away with ensuring small critters wouldn’t take residence into its side scoops is pure brilliance. It’s literally aluminum window dressing that looks like it could slice an apple, but man, what a way to decorate an empty space. —Sajeev Mehta
Cizeta-Moroder V16T
“A good side scoop has to grab your attention, so I’m going to go with the Cizeta V16T. Its strakes and scoops aren’t as elegantly pulled off as the Testarossa it’s ripping off, but they are more over the top. And in a car with 16 cylinders and two sets of pop-up headlights, being over the top fits with the theme. Honorable mention to my Lotus Elise. Those are some damn good scoops.” —Andrew Newton
Corvette Grand Sport (C6)
“The sixth-generation Corvette has been hot and cold throughout my life as an auto enthusiast. Lately it has been on the rebound and my interest only growing stronger. Of the available C6 models, the Grand Sport seems to be the car for the buyer in the know who actually plans to drive it and wants a great balance of performance and livability. The twin scoops on the side are unique to the Grand Sport trim and enhance the lines of the C6 in a positive way, unlike those of some of the other trims.” —Kyle Smith
McLaren 765LT
“The scoop carved into the door of McLaren’s modern 765LT (along with its many siblings whose names begin with 7). Its placement and rake recalls that of the F1, McLaren’s legendary ’90s road car. The vent that exists here mimics the side strakes of the F1, with some sort of flare and tuck and crease business behind and below it. I don’t speak enough designer to really break it down, but wow, it’s nice to look at. The hard edges of the vent, both at top and at the trailing edge, are such a yummy contrast to the smooth surfacing of the rest of the door.” —Grace Houghton
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of great or at least interesting side scoop and vent designs out there. Which one is your favorite?
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I had a 2010 Grand Sport just like the one in the article. Probably the most beautiful ‘Vette of all that I have owned over the years but probably the most dangerous to drive as well. That sucker would hydroplane in a heavy dew. Guess that’s why the rated those Goodyears as “dry weather, summertime tires”.
No love for the 2nd gen Viper? Shame.
How are the Cuda “Gills” missing from this list? These Mopar fender vents have to be one of the most iconic side vents ever on a classic American muscle car.
My choice is the Testarossa.
Not among the choices but should be is the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing or Roadster
I like the functional side scoops of the Toyota MR2 sw20 (1991-1995). I’m a bit biased since I own one.
The Studebaker Hawks, any model 1956-64. Not only functional, but flush in the front fenders when closed.
’64 Olds Starfire, in the front fenders and functional as under-hood vents.
From back in the day when you bought your scoops from Pep Boys, and glued them to the car because you didn’t own a drill yet, or Dad wouldn’t let you make them permanent on the family hauler.
Aston Martin front fender air vent, classic, elegant and trimmed with a strake too.
From db4 until it fizzled out in the 90’s then resurrected on the db7, and the project vantage concept and used ever since
Honourable mentions to Lamborghini countach, lancia S4, Porsche 935, Ford rs200, metro 6r4, Audi Quattro evo s2 (and any group b monster really)
I’ll take the side vents on my ’67 Corvette. That’s when Chevrolet finally got it right in the last year of the C2. (Not that I am biased or anything.)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what about the COVE on the C1 Corvettes. Though not functional, they certainly added to the appearance of the car. Most were painted a contrasting color.
“67 – ’68 Mustangs. These are real world cars that millions have owned. A simply styling treatment that evolved from the first Mustang and one that clearly defines the car and separated it from the it’s Falcon origins. Few people in the western world would miss a Mustang when they see one an the faux vents are one of the signature identifiers. Possibly the most important styling add-on in the automotive world.
The latest Ford GT.
Don’t forget chevelle cowl induction
I can’t believe that you guys just blew past the 1969 Mach 1.
It should have been second just after the Ferrari 308.
Also, scoops and vents are different.