We are so used to certain elements of vehicles that we rarely ask ourselves what their origin is, their true purpose or why they are called that. Few people know why the glove compartment and the dashboard receive these names; we do not usually notice the shape of the lights or the design of the upholstery.
But although many elements of cars respond to purely aesthetic issues, the vast majority fulfill a specific purpose and have a history and explanation behind them. In this sense, let's delve into the origin and usefulness of the small shark fin that some vehicles sport on the roof, located where other cars have the antenna.
This element became popular in automobiles in the 1960s, when several manufacturers incorporated them into racing vehicles. It was born as an aerodynamic item, which reduced wind resistance, therefore improving the performance and speed of competition cars.
Precisely because of this origin, it began to be associated with an element rooted in the sportiness and power of cars, thus extending to sports and high-end market models. Currently, we can see it crowning many sports and luxury cars, integrated as a design element that provides that more modern, fast, elegant, powerful and exuberant aesthetic.
Although its main explanation lies in decorative and ornamental motifs, the shark fin is not a hollow ornament, but rather houses the radio and GPS antenna of modern vehicles. Not in vain, it replaces the conventional antennas that are on the roof of cars that do not have the shark fin.
This is the perfect location for both technological services, since the signal is better on the outside and top of the car than in any other location, where there could be more interference with other elements of the vehicle. It allows better reception of the GPS signal, as well as radio stations.
This does not mean that cars without a shark fin do not have these services, but that in passenger cars that do have it, it is simply integrated into that more sporty design. Another small note about shark fins is that they are more complicated to break, steal or vandalize than conventional antennas, a plus point that is always appreciated.
