In keeping with the theme this week I’m posting an audio clip featuring the amazing sound of the BRM supercharged V16.
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BRM Supercharged V16 3Mb MP3
By all accounts the BRM V16 was only impressive in sound and it did nothing to impress anyone on the track in the 1950′s. Nick Mason (Pink Floyd drummer) owns a BRM and a few years ago he released a book with an accompanying CD with sounds of his own 1953 BRM. I think this audio clip comes from that CD.
By the way BRM stands for British Racing Motors.
If you want to read more about the BRM V16 there is a great article over at 8W.
Racing enthusiasts will remember the sound of the BRM V16 long after memories of modern racing cars have faded – the pitch and sheer volume of its 16-cylinder scream, which reputedly distracted seasoned drivers in cars alongside on grids in the 1950s, has never been matched. Deeper memories will be of a promise which soon gave way to fiasco.
Loved the sound of that V-16 brm, WOW man , what a noise!
It was Incredible to say the least,
Need more sound files like this,
This thing sounded like a sprint car, then it sounded like a BRM P-261
In the film Grand Prix,with Jame,s Garner,
That’s MUSIC, not perfectly in tune but still beautiful music!!
Nothing can beat the raw sound of the BRM, not even a 20000 rpm F1 of the modern era. As a race driver we never hear the sound of our cars ( from the inside it is just a pain in the ears,thats why i am half deaf after 30 years of racing) A man like Nick Mason who should know all about sound must surely appreciate this great sound.He must be a very proud owner of such a machine and a piece of Brittish motorsport history. Can’t get enough of it, but have to turn up the volume
Cheers
Philip
Oh boy,my pilgrimage to hear this ‘MOTOR’ in the 1950′s was very extensive,once heard,never forgotten,I assure you.Goodwood was my favourite venue,especially on the Easter monday meeting when the world and his wife turned out to watch Juan Manuel Fangio,Froilan Gonzalez and Ken Wharton propell these incredible cars around the two-and-a-half mile circuit.A symphony of engine noise which could be heard more than 10 miles away.Ken Wharton was quoted as being completely deaf for 24 hours afterwards.
Un “F”n believable. As a Yank I always appreciated the good stuff coming from the other side of the pond. I grew up in the “60′s” Listening to the likes of Jim Hall, Roger Penske and Bruce McClaren thrash their Can Am cars around Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington but nothing ever sounded as good as this BRM………….not even the 6 cylinder Honda 250 GP bikes ridden by Sir Mike the Bike. Thanks for sharing.
Mike
I used to go to race meetings at Castle Combe in Wiltshire with my father in the early to mid 50s and still recall the sound of the BRM, driven then by Ken Wharton, I think Reg Parnell and an assortment of others. Castle Combe Circuit was, in those days, owned by a Mrs Kay Thomas and, I believe it was in 1953 when Ken Wharton won the Hastings Trophy, Mrs Thomas stood too close to the BRM whilst presenting Ken with the Trophy and the heat from the exhaust melted her nylons. This is true and was reported in Autosport, confirmed by Castle Combe archive.
Anyway, I have lived in Smethwick since the early 80s where, of course, Ken was born and bred. I have researched his life and times and am writing a book about him. I, in conjunction with Smethwick Heritage Trust, will be holding an exhibition about him next March, displaying a range of photographs and articles, including a section “Ken’s cars, where are they now?). Also in the display will be a Cooper JAP 500cc hill climb car, similar to Ken’s.
Best regards, Robin
Thanks for the comments everyone. It’s nice to heard form folks who have heard this wonderful engine for themselves.
I dont remember seeing the car but do remember that incredible v16 being started for the first time. It was at Wigram airforce base in Christchurch New Zealand for the NZ grand prix, then part of the world F1 circuit. I think Stirling Moss was the driver, but understand Juan Fangio the legend was the only driver with the courage to exploit the car fully. Was in the late 1950″s when aged in single digets. Sound still brings a tear to the eye!
I stood by a V16 BRM at a VSCC meeting a few years ago when it was fired up. I sure that the sound shook the wax out of my ears but what music! The sight of it being demonstrated on the track with the rear tyres lit up was unforgettable. It reminded me of the time I went to Snetterton as a lad and watched the cars snaking all the way up the pit straight.