Formula One connoisseurs say the Matra V12 engine produced the most wonderful exhaust sound the series has ever known. Take a moment to hear it for yourself in this this quick video.
Introduced to the racing world in 1968, the Matra 3.0-liter V12 was eclipsed in F1 by the all-conquering Ford-Cosworth DFV V8. But there was one area in which the groundbreaking DFV could never hope to compete with the French V12: in its exhaust note. The Matra V12 did manage to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans three years in a row, 1972 through 1974, but it’s the engine’s glorious noise that people still talk about today.
Described as violent and musical, ear-splitting and euphonious, all at the same time, the Matra V12’s sound made a permanent impression on a generation of racing fans. Americans who got to hear it, for example at the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen, say they’ve never experienced anything quite like it, before or since. For those of us who weren’t fortunate enough to be there, this little video was recorded at the Classic Days 2012 at Magny-Cours, France. Turn up the sound and enjoy.
Over the years there have been many engines that make an aural impression. A few for me would include; Flathead Ford V-8, Chevrolet big block Cam-Am race engine, blown Hemi sucking nitro, Mazda RX-729 GTP, Audi Group B turbo 5 cylinder, any 2 stroke 500cc Grand Prix bike, to name but a few.
The Novis that ran at Indy were awesome sounding.
Nice. They are surprisingly long pipes for the rpm range that I’d expect from an engine like that. Were they made that long on the original racers? Or detuned for classic racing perhaps?
It’s quite possible the pipes weren’t tuned for optimal scavenging, simply equalized in length and made sufficiently long to carry the noise and fumes past the rear of the car.
I too thought them quite long. But it does sound strong and distinctive. I bet the car would be loose without the wing though.