Something that sounds right

[SpartacusF]

I'm looking for a project, late 50s/60s, available in RHD, that sounds like something interesting. Most 4 cylinder cars I've had, or liked the look of, just didn't do it for me aurally. Take the 356, what a little cracker but sounds like a Beetle, or an Elan, yes a distinctive sound, but not going to get stand your hairs on end. Can you help me with some ideas? (Budget no object, but I like smaller cars generally.)

[Scrump]

Early 911
Daimler Dart
E type

Coupe or soft top?

[aeropilot]

SpartacusF said:

or an Elan, yes a distinctive sound, but not going to get stand your hairs on end.

With the right cams and head work etc., a Lotus TC can very much get your hairs on end, but they need the extra aural sound chamber of sitting inside a metal box rather a plastic fantastic.
The all-steel, QED cam'd, big valve TC in my old mates Escort Twin Cam was an aural delight with the induction roar inside an all metal Escort engine bay, as was another mate's Lotus-Cortina with a similar spec engine. Bloody marvellous.

If budget no object, then as mentioned above, an early 911 would be my choice......unless budget really is limitless, then a Cobra 289 is the obvious choice

The trouble is, small of that era means small engines, and 4 cyl.

Other than a Lotus TC, that pretty much leaves an Alfa or Fiat twin cam powered car?

An Alfa Junior with some Alfaholics mods would be another option if budget isn't an issue.

Edited by aeropilot on Tuesday 6th July 09:41

[Om]

SpartacusF said:

I'm looking for a project, late 50s/60s, available in RHD, that sounds like something interesting. Most 4 cylinder cars I've had, or liked the look of, just didn't do it for me aurally. Take the 356, what a little cracker but sounds like a Beetle, or an Elan, yes a distinctive sound, but not going to get stand your hairs on end. Can you help me with some ideas? (Budget no object, but I like smaller cars generally.)

Austin Healey 3000?

[Yertis]

GT6? Tiny, but sound big, with a straight six.

https://youtu.be/tmHYy7VgsvA

[Turbobanana]

If budget really isn't an issue, I've heard Ferrari 250GTOs from the early sixties sound great, and aren't too big.

Not many RHD though.

[P5BNij]

Money no object and RHD, righto then....

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1351777

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1319240

[aeropilot]

Turbobanana said:

If budget really isn't an issue, I've heard Ferrari 250GTOs from the early sixties sound great, and aren't too big.

Not many RHD though.

250SWB surely if space is at a premium......

As said, not many RHD though (if any)

[tog]

Something with a Bristol 2-litre would sound great, it's a great engine. A Bristol 405 or 406 are both late fifties cars, or if you want smaller and more expensive get a 404 or an AC Ace.

[MKnight702]

Yertis said:

GT6? Tiny, but sound big, with a straight six.

https://youtu.be/tmHYy7VgsvA

Love the sound of a straight 6, I'm so tempted to sell the Caterham get one of these just for the noise.

Gets better from :045 onwards.

GT6

[aeropilot]

MKnight702 said:

Love the sound of a straight 6, I'm so tempted to sell the Caterham get one of these just for the noise.

Gets better from :045 onwards.

GT6

That's horrible........

A GT6 should sound smooth and sweet (even if modded) but that sounds awful.

[vpr]

I have virtually all engine configurations all sounding great but a straight 6 on song is right out there.

Try a Datsun Z, TR5/6

[SpartacusF]

A dinky straight-six will hit the spot I think, I hadn't looked into smaller ones. Where else was the BMW/Bristol 2L used in? Apart from the 2.0/2.4L Dino V6, are there any others smaller V6s around?

Edited by SpartacusF on Tuesday 6th July 14:13

[Pothole]

Connaught V10 sounds great. I think there's only one, though.

[tog]

SpartacusF said:

A dinky straight-six will hit the spot I think, I hadn't looked into smaller ones. Where else was the BMW/Bristol 2L usde? Apart from the 2.0/2.4L Dino V6, are there any others smaller V6s around?

The Bristol engine made it into some post-war Frazer-Nashes, quite a few AC Aces, Acecas and Greyhounds, the Cooper-Bristol racing cars and some specials.

[swisstoni]

From that era, and not very expensive, it would have to GT6 for me. Can sound great.

The Essex V6 can sound very nice (better than the Cologne that followed).

The original TVR Griffith had an American V8 in it.
So did the Sunbeam Tiger.
Jensens …

[aeropilot]

SpartacusF said:

Apart from the 2.0/2.4L Dino V6, are there any others smaller V6s around?

Lancia Aurelia V6.

First ever production V6 in 1950 IIRC.

Mike Hawthorn owned one.

[velocemitch]

aeropilot said:

SpartacusF said:

Apart from the 2.0/2.4L Dino V6, are there any others smaller V6s around?

Lancia Aurelia V6.

First ever production V6 in 1950 IIRC.

Mike Hawthorn owned one.

Or the Busso Alfa V6, universally acclaimed to the the best sounding engine this side of a super car. Probably best sampled in a an Alfetta GTV6 at 2.5 or if you are lucky 3.0 litre

[Yertis]

It may be just the not very exotic V6s I've owned (Essex, Audi that sort of thing) but I think straight six sounds more melodious than V6. Not that V6 sounds bad.

[matchmaker]

Yertis said:

GT6? Tiny, but sound big, with a straight six.

https://youtu.be/tmHYy7VgsvA

Or a Vitesse - same engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC5SxoekqCg

Edited by matchmaker on Tuesday 6th July 15:24