<VV> front spoilers- functional or decorative?

[Jeff Wilson]

Hi all- I'm new to the list and Vairs in general. Just bought my first- a
65
"500" series. Bone stock, low mileage, in great shape.

Haven't driven it much yet- it went straight into 'the shop' for some minor
repairs and tune-up....

I want to modify/ improve it somewhat.... Just learned (thru this site and
others)
that the 65's did not come with a factory-standard front spoiler, this
started in
66.

I'm tempted to add a front spoiler to mine, but I'm wondering- do they
really DO
much, or are they mostly for ornamental 'coolness' factor?

Does the front spoiler actually add any noticable improvement in downforce/
handling at highway speeds?

Has anyone driven their Vair with and without spoiler for an
apples-to-apples
comparison?

Would I acheive just as much beneft from moving the spare to the front?

Would dropping the front-end an inch or so serve the same function?

Many more possibly dumb questions to come, I'm sure!

CJ Wilson