Video: The Glorious Sounds of the BRM V16

BRM V16 videoListen to one of the most wonderful noises the automotive world has ever produced: the animal scream of the BRM V16.

 

 

What is the best-sounding engine in the annals of auto racing? The Novi V8 of Indianapolis fame, some would say. Others insist it’s the French Matra V12, which raced in Formula 1 and at Le Mans between 1968 and 1974. (You can listen to the Matra V12 here.) But many will tell you that the most glorious noise of all was produced by the magnificent but doomed BRM V16 Grand Prix racer of 1949-1955.

Displacing just 1.5 liters, the BRM was built around 16 thimble-sized cylinders coupled to a massive Rolls-Royce two-stage centrifugal supercharger. (For a detailed view, see Tony Matthews’ incredible cutaway panting.) The racer never came close to living up to its fearsome potential, and more than one cynic has suggested that the complicated and trouble-prone engine developed more noise than horsepower. But a beautiful noise it was. Listen.

 

3 thoughts on “Video: The Glorious Sounds of the BRM V16

  1. Well, I think that no one is able to win when it comes to the sound of my design new4stroke .. Finally, my main profession is sound engineer;) only to draw you attention to the fact that opening the window exhaust occurs at the maximum speed of the piston exhaust .. unless you already says it all .. Maybe someday you will have the pleasure to hear her ..

  2. Can it really be called a new four stroke if you’ve been trying to sell it for 37 years?

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