Is it NASA or NACA?

[1973grandeklar]

I have looked at some other threads about this same issue, but none seem to definitively call the hood one way. Is it both?

The reason I ask, I am talking to a self described mustang expert and I called it a NACA hood and he said I was wrong it is a NASA hood. Who is right?

 

[mdan575]

My memory kinda sucks but I am almost sure it is referred to both ways in Fords own documentation. I can't find it right now but I do believe the Ford docs have been posted on this sight showing it both ways.

NACA was the predecessor to NASA which developed the duct.

 

[72HCODE]

NACA everyone always says Nasa.

N.A.C.A. Stands for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. It was started in 1915 by Congressional legislation. They became NASA.

 

[Boss1Ray]

If you are referencing the actual duct - it is formally called a "NACA duct" because the duct was developed for the aviation industry to promote the speed/movement of air (either forced or drawn) from a relatively flat surface. The agency was still named National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at the time (1945). It (NACA) was dissolved and 'absorbed' back in 1958 by the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Hmmm wasn't this about the Russian 'Sputnik 1' scare? Hmmmm.

see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NACA_duct

Anyway here is a pic of the actual duct as developed back in '45 and it is still used today in both the aviation and automotive industries:



Ray

 

[Kit Sullivan]

Ok, here's the story:

The design of the scoop was designed in the 1940s by NACA (National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics). The scoop design became popularly known as a "NACA ducted scoop".

When designing the 71 Mustang, it was decided early on that the scooped hood would feature a scoop design inspired by a NACA scoop, due to its more-advanced and modern appearance. It is not quite an authentic NACA scoop functionally, but pretty damn close visually.

As mentioned above, NACA was renamed NASA in 1957, and subsequently NASA became quite prominent in the public eye due to the crazed enthusiasm the public had for all things NASA and "space".

Ford's marketing department decided that the term NACA was outdated and that NASA had the public's attention, and fudged things a bit and named the hood the "NASA hood", and referred to the scoops as "NASA scoops".

There really is no such thing as an official "NASA scoop", other than what Ford sold on the big 'stangs.

I don't think Ford ever referred to them as "NACA".

 

[Boss1Ray]

+1 Kit.

Thanks

Ray

 

[72HCODE]

Well it gets a little weird in 1971 the ford literature called them "Aero-Style air scoops"

in 1972 and 1973 they called them "NASA-type hood scoops"

eventually everyone started to call them NASA or NACA scoops.

the design is NACA so that always made the most sense.

Ford never called them NACA only NASA, people would always argue about the C and S swap being a possible spelling mistake but it is what it is.

now a couple of chevys used the same scoop designs and it was called NACA in their literature.

Holden Ford in Australia called them NACA as well.

its possible there was a license issue or a trademark issue who knows.

 

[Mister 4x4]

"NACA." Because the duct is still called a "NACA duct," and "NASA hood" just sounds dumb. 'Nuff said.

rofl

 

[Kit Sullivan]

They are not true NACA ducts...the uneven and lopsided style and rounded edges make them far less efficient than an authentic and properly proportioned NACA duct.

The actual functional value of the Mustang's ram-air system was far less important than the value of the styling and the "image".

And it must be an age thing, but I think "NASA" hood sounds cool, baby!

 

[Mister 4x4]

I don't believe there is an exact formula for a 'properly proportioned' NACA duct. Nothing says they must be symmetrical, or adhere to any kind of proportionally correct template.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NACA_duct

I'm also a huge fan of NASA (still pissed the Shuttle program was stood-down without a viable replacement)... but using technology from a certain time, then changing the name just because it 'sounds cool' is kinda lame, IMHO. Even NASA still calls 'em NACA ducts - how's that for irony?

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

(still pissed the Shuttle program was stood-down without a viable replacement)

You believe that? What do you think Area 51 is all about

 

[Mustang Dynasty]

I have looked at some other threads about this same issue, but none seem to definitively call the hood one way. Is it both?

The reason I ask, I am talking to a self described mustang expert and I called it a NACA hood and he said I was wrong it is a NASA hood. Who is right?

believe called NASA for 71-2 and 73 as NACA

If you are referencing the actual duct - it is formally called a "NACA duct" because the duct was developed for the aviation industry to promote the speed/movement of air (either forced or drawn) from a relatively flat surface. The agency was still named National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at the time (1945). It (NACA) was dissolved and 'absorbed' back in 1958 by the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Hmmm wasn't this about the Russian 'Sputnik 1' scare? Hmmmm.

see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NACA_duct

Anyway here is a pic of the actual duct as developed back in '45 and it is still used today in both the aviation and automotive industries:

Ray

though i have a pic of a 70Alfa Romeo Milano Montreal describing the single duct as the NACA hood

"NACA." Because the duct is still called a "NACA duct," and "NASA hood" just sounds dumb. 'Nuff said.

rofl

agree HEARD ie NACA ducts and NASA

 

[1973grandeklar]

Thanks everyone for the input. So if I get the information presented, Ford marketed as a NASA hood, but it is functionally designed as a NACA scoop. Therefore, we were both right in calling this a NACA hood and a NASA hood.

 

[Roland]

NASA styled hood scoops - written in the prospect

 

[mrgmhale]

Our window sticker and other says, "NASA." I use the NACA and NASA interchangeably. My preference is to us NACA, but do not mind when someone "corrects me." Unfortunately I am out of town, and unable to share a copy of the window sticker showing a NASA hood on our 73 Mach 1, but that is exactly what is says.

 

[secluff]

As you can see from the date of the original post, this debate has been ongoing for a while. At the dealership, we have heard Mach1 hood, Ram air hood, NASA or NACA hood. The '71 car facts salesman organizer states that under standard exterior equipment, the Boss 351 includes a NASA-type hood with functional hood scoops. The Mach1 is listed as having a unique hood with twin NASA-type hood scoops. The '71 Spring Special Value package content lists the NASA Hood as included.
The Ram Air option states that it includes a functional Mach 1 hood. A no-charge option was listed for the NASA-type hood for the 302-equipped Mach1.

For '72, not much had changed. The Mach1 was still listed as including a unique hood with twin NASA-type hood scoops, which was still listed as a no-charge option for the 302-equipped Mach1 only. The Ram Air option once again was listed as including a functional NASA-type hood, which, as of 1/72, was only available with the 351 2V engine. For the '72 Sprint Mustang, the information I have specifically stated that the NASA hood is not available as an option.

For '73, the Mach1 was listed as including a unique hood with twin NASA-type non-functioning hood scoops. The NASA hood was again listed as a no-charge option on the Mach1 with the standard 302 engine. The Ram Air option included a NASA-type hood and was only available on the 351 2V engine.
There was a new '73 option, "Tu-Tone Hood Paint." It included the NASA-type hood with black or Argent accent paint and twist-style hood locks. It had the look of a Ram Air-style hood but was non-functional.

The '65-72 and '73-79 Master Parts Catalog (MPC) only listed the hoods as W or W/O hood scoops.

Since mrgmhale is out of town and unable to access his window sticker (the Monroney label), I will post one for a '71 Mach1 in my fleet (Money Pit #2) that only lists the hood as NASA-type hood scoops.

As you can see, Ford was inconsistent in their description of the hood, although they stayed with the NASA name. So, 50+ years later, call it what you want; we know what you mean! I got used to all the different names I heard it called.