Funny Isn't It!

[bluenose1940]

I was walking along the seafront the other day and the usual 'Boy Racers' were out doing their 'cruising' with the usual BOOM BOOM BOOM echoing all around.

And then it suddenly dawned on me. As teenagers (we've all been one!) we tinkered about with the exhaust systems on our Mini's and Escorts, making them 'straight-through' and noisey. We fitted big speakers and amplifiers with the bass set as high as possible, no treble or mid-range settings for us!!!

We would constantly belt out the music of Radio 1, Radio Luxembourg and Radio Caroline.

And now, we just like to glide along as silently as possible, drawing occasional glances from pedestrians who seem to be thinking 'has that car got an engine?'

Our music players are finely tuned to give the near perfect balance of bass, mid-range and treble settings, giving us tthe impression of being in a concert hall.

My radio is often, Radio 2, TalkSport or Radio 4.

Thank heavens for my three IS's

How most of us change as we get older eh!!!!! Are there many members on here with similar thoughts.

[The-Acre]

I had motorbikes in the 70's BSA etc, the first thing was to remove the baffles to have the exhaust straight through. The cars would have 8 track which meant you had the delight of listening to both the a and b sides playing together! Now it's as much serenity as possible (except when Hendrix comes on the radio)

[Roscobbc]

Yes for 'daily' use I agree with you 100% - modern multi-valve engines always seem to have a horrible 'drone' - whereas 'old school' 8 valve non ecu based engines always had thier own individual sound. Compare a 4 cylinder bike engine with open exhaust to a V twin Harley on open headers! - no contest IMHO. As a young kid in the 1950's I would stand outside our house with my dad and watch all the cars streaming past our door on the way home from a Sunday drive out - we would recognise a make of car from the sound of its engine. I still need that 'fix' from an 'old school' engine - the only real 'music' is that of a finely tuned multi-cylinder large cubin inch engine. If the level of sound is 'right' you won't be able to hear the audio anyway!

[Deadloak]

I still like the sound system reasonably loud (Well when on a motorway anyway), goes to say - You can take the boy out of Essex, but not Essex out of the boy. :)

[bluenose1940]

I still like the sound system reasonably loud (Well when on a motorway anyway), goes to say - You can take the boy out of Essex, but not Essex out of the boy. :)

Yes I like to turn the volume up when listening to the intro to Chris Rea's Road to Hell.

[The-Acre]

I've just put a Fleetwood Mac CD in my car (Peter Greens band that is) now that needs volume! But generally it's still peace and quiet for me when driving. I'm just remembering as i type this, a 69 Chevvy Chevelle I had in the 70's as well, come to think of it, that had a straight through exhaust, and a siren!!

[Deadloak]

You should try Peter Green's - Supernatural an Anthology. If you haven't already.

[The-Acre]

You should try Peter Green's - Supernatural an Anthology. If you haven't already.

I haven't but I'll look out for it. We saw Peter Green's Splinter Group here in sunny Worthing just a few years back. He may have looked a mess, but boy, could he still play!

[valanade]

Luckily I also have a Rover V8 engined MGB roadster for those times when i need a real engine noise fix!!

Sunny day top down V8 blast across Dartmoor is very hard to beat

[baxlin]

Luckily I also have a Rover V8 engined MGB roadster for those times when i need a real engine noise fix!!

Sunny day top down V8 blast across Dartmoor is very hard to beat

makes the 500cc V-twin in my 3wheeler look a wee bit small, but with Harley silencers, it can hold its own in the sound stakes, but like the V8, without being unsociable! Doesn't need the top down though, on the basis it ain't got one. Or side windows. Or wipers, as the screen isn't tall enough to need them.

Great fun.

Malcolm

[ganzoom]

I have to say I've gone from loving the high picthed scream of a Honda VTEC engine at 9krpm to now wanting nothing but the silent progress offered by a full electric drive train....and I don't consider my self that old yet, still barely 10% into my third decade of life :)

[Roscobbc]

Luckily I also have a Rover V8 engined MGB roadster for those times when i need a real engine noise fix!!

Sunny day top down V8 blast across Dartmoor is very hard to beat

As a V8 enthusiast you may like this - take before engine pulled out and bottom end re-build to replace a failed conrod.

Best listen on 'phones.

~ all repaired now, just waiting to arrange transport to collect engine and re-install.

Open headers ~

~ poor quality video a few years back ~