Magical sound. Can anyone explain something?

[MitchT]

Here is a short film of a Ferrari 512TR accelerating away...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKE5N-QqNjY

Every time I watch this (or more to the point, listen to this) I end up with shivers running up my spine because it is just about the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. Most notably (to me anyway) is the fact that it actually sounds like there are two sounds playing simultaneously. As the car accelerates hard it sounds as though there are two engines playing simultaneously in two different keys while remaining in perfect harmony with one another. The only engines I've ever heard that have this unique quality seem to be 12 cylinder ones, with Ferrari flat-12s being most notable in having this effect. Can anyone explain, from a technical perspective, what makes 12 cylinder engines, and particularly flat-12s, have this unique "musical" quality to the sound?

[andrew.]

it looks like he was, to use the technical term, hoofing it to get away from you stalking him

[Animal]

Unequal-length manifolds?

[yellowtr]

Speaking from experience with mine, Testarossa are notoriously for not being "balanced" and as such the exhaust note can vary a fair bit. Mine after being serviced sounds utterly awesome with the X-Ost on full chat. I still get a kick out of it and never get bored of that unique "flat 12" sound

[Peter101]

Was that you chasing the car with your camera? If so, Scary!

[MitchT]

Peter101 said:

Was that you chasing the car with your camera? If so, Scary!

No, not me. It's just a video I found on YouTube while searching for 512TR/Testarossa clips for my listening pleasure!