Considering what year it was created, it has to be one of the greatest engine designs ever. If that engine could be reproduced today with modern metals, who knows what its power could be?
Mind boggling weight to power ratio, the issue being there’s no aero providing sufficient downforce.. These things weighed less than 700kg and could pump out a ridiculous hp but just couldn’t utilise it.. I’m a turbo fan, but to put the 1950s alongside the the 1980s F1 turbo is so similar in that they had to deal with the problem of bhp and torque vs aero which was a new concept.
@@alexandersimpson3638 Such an intensely adventurous time in history, particularly motor racing history. With the rapid engineering developments WWII created, most of them experimental and different in nation-specific ways, the engines/cars these teams designed must have seemed revolutionary in a way we can’t comprehend. And as you indicate, powerplant technology far exceeded chassis and tyre technology. As far as safety goes, the post-war zeitgeist meant that courage exceeded common sense by equally extreme margins. These cars and drivers are iconic for a reason. And as cool as they were heroic! The golden age of F1, the likes of which will never be reached again.
Ahhhh the SOUND! We look back at those days as primitive and backwards compared to what we have now, but those machines were true monsters. Absolutely stunning. Thanks for the detail, wonderful video
I’ve been involved in fast cars and bikes all my life and this 1.5 still puts a shiver down my spine. I’ve seen it in action at Goodwood and it didn’t disappoint. Thanks for your Video. An old bloke from Australia
Love Your videos! The idea of 16 cylinders and 1,5-ish engine is the most thrillling idea ever! Keep the work as is, we need the forgotten ideas to come to life once again , with the modern tech and modern solutions!
Some lovely archive footage there, thanks Visio! My dad used to have the book (written by Raymond Mays I think) that covered this car and engine in great detail as well as its ERA antecedents.
The more weird the better, drivers at the time said that overtaking was impossible, as the exhaust sound was too painful, when the following car got close. Truly the best F1 car/engine ever, it's just a glorious sound.
I'm impressed with the amount of information you could find on this engine, as my searches have yielded limited results. This engine puts V12/V10/V8 F1 and 787B too shame in terms of sound.
I was a very young boy when this car raced, and I read of it’s constant DNFs in Road & Track magazine. I had no comprehension of the true complexity of the engine. Excellent video, thank you!
In 1997, three V16s were entered at the first race of the first ever Goodwood Revival, none managed to finish. Nick Mason in his car, it broke during the practice session. Another car, with Peter Gethin driving, broke at the warm-up lap. The remaining car, driven by restorer Rick Hall, is already running poorly at the warm-up lap, and only completed a few slow laps... Murray Walker, commentating on the race summed them up, saying "...everything's been breaking on them ever since, with unfailing regularity."
fantastic research. The most amazing sounding engine ever and you have to admire how determined they were to push the envelope. Have you covered the Auto Untion V16s?
Thank you for this video. I was lucky enough to help push start Chassis No. 1 2 weeks ago at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and ended up sitting in the car. A real treat. The car is incredible and an amazing achievement back in its day, its a shame it was too complicated for its own good. Britain's first Formula One car.
I love the engine videos bro. Automotive and marine applications especially. Supercharged outboard!? Will they ever have turbo outboard? I like the aircraft engines too. Honestly you have a great channel it must take a ton of work
The work that has been done through all your videos is awesome!!! You perfectly describe every detail with pros and cons, and every time you give your personal opinion, you do it with respect. Thumbs up bro!!!
The biggest issue with the BRM V16 was its complexity. It needed a lot more development than most other racing engines- at least 6 years, and it was raced way too early. They started racing it in 1950 and the engine wasn't properly ready until 1953, when it started being competitive in non-championship races.
Thank you so much for creating this interesting and fun video! I have enjoyed watching your engine videos for a long time. Perhaps you could make a new series of videos about the different engine regulations--with examples--for each of the major racing series. For example, IndyCar engines from 1996 to the present, NASCAR engines from 1949 to the present, WRC engines from 1973 to the present, and BTCC engines from 1990 to the present. Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be good! Looking forward to more good things to come! 😃🚙🛻🏎🏍
Why the interest in the H16? piece of crap. Was just 2 of their excellent 1.5 v8's flattened and stuck on top of each other and geared together. By far their worst engine
@@psk5746 Because it's a unique piece of historical engineering. The best and fastest aren't always the most interesting - more often than not, it's the failures that are really fascinating.
The sound of that engine is utterly insane... I'd love a video about the story of the Ferrari F50. Anyway, any story with this level of detail will be well received. Love the channel! 😎
Thank you. Nice video. Fills a gap in my knowledge. Definite lack of discipline in the initial specification of this engine and total disregard for practical racing requirements. Showing off is not the same as doing a good job. I can see why people have commented so much about the complicated design of this engine. N.B. Ltd is short for ‘Limited’ as in limited liability company and the ‘u’ in Rudd is pronounced like the ‘u’ in mud i.e., NOT the ‘u’ in put or ‘putsch’.
@@VisioRacer Can you go over the Buick I-8, I-6, I-4, aluminum block V-8 and the 300/340/350 Buick V-8's, nailhead Buick V-8's and lastly the Buick 430 and 455 V-8's? I'm especially interested in the I-8's as there were many of them, the 300 V-8, nailhead V-8's, 231 and 252 V-6's and 430 and 455 V-8's.
The V16 BRM was magnificent. You actually need to see it running on a track. You don't just hear it, you feel it as it goes past. The most glorious engine noise ever.
Hi those were exciting times back then with a lot to learn and on the brink of changing material technology so not realy a failure a learning exorcise Keep up the good work
Thanks so much for featuring this hugely iconic car which I've had the pleasure of seeing in the flesh in the Goodwood paddock. I do believe that there is a project to build a replica with modern materials.
Thanks for a great video, this was way ahead of its time, think about it, 70 years later, Dodge Challenger for example need 6.1 litre to produce the same hp.
My only complaint is that the video is too short. Good job on this one, I don’t recall seeing any other videos on this engine with this much information.
A video about Stewart Tresilian would be appreciated. He told Rolls Royce (well before WW2) that a high revving engine could make the same power with 1/2 the capacity and weight of the sub 3000rpm Merlin. He was of course ignored but went on to a successful career designing F1 race engines. How thing could have been if only he had been listened to.
Love the engine stories. Keep making great videos. I live about 120 miles north of Pebble Beach California where they have some of the best classic car and bike events so I love this kind of stuff. Take care.
The BRM is and was the best sounding engine on the planet! More closeups of the still surviving cars, lots of revving and stereo sound delight would be much appreciated!
Superb video mate, the best quality sound, editing and imagery as always. I remember reading about this car in a book by Gavin Green. Iirc, this beast could light up the tyres in 4th gear and catch unwary drivers with a high speed spin! Even on a straight. The engine was offset to the chassis of the car slightly so the driveshaft could get to the side of the driver. Just the sound and it’s volume...truly amazing.
Yeah, once you exceed 8,000rpm in this thing, say goodbye to grip in the rear tires! There's a picture in the internet somewhere of Phil Hill testing one of these at the Donington Park. The picture shows the car with smoke issuing from both rear wheels, and the photographer said that the picture is taken during a flying lap, with Hill accelerating hard at the start/finish straight!
1.5 tiny liters... Like my 2014 Toyota Yaris! But sounds fuckin' manly and amazing! Whoa! 🤯 You rules, guy! Your videos are delightfully detailed and special. 🧐
You're videos are always so well curated. I would like to see a video on Callaway corvettes the sledgehammer corvette they made set a record for speed in 1988 that wasnt broken till the Veyron came out.
dat sound. Insanely angry, yet melodic. The fact that it was designed in 1947 is freaking mind blowing. The brits sure know how to build automotive masterpieces.
An absolute nightmare to look after, but all it runs right. It’s amazing. It never fails to amaze me when you walk up to the car and it’s running you can actually feel your internal organs start moving. I know the one I look after I don’t know if I’d love to hate her hate to love it, by the way all your suggestions for engines, sound good to me, Michael, big shed full of old cars in Hampshire
For the future, not really interested in jet, rocket, or electric engines. Any piston engines fascinate me from chainsaw to supertanker. It strikes me that chainsaws rev ridiculously high yet cost so little, there can't be any exotic metals or super accurate machining for just a few £££. I am also interested in gearboxes and transmission systems so would welcome your attention to those.
This is maybe the best sounding ICE ever! About your question, Visio, I suggest you to keep going with stories about engines (in any type of vehicle), racecars and why not some specific technologies with interesante information. Also, you could do some videos about specific racing categories in specific periods of time (for example, DTM in the 90s, Group A in the 80s and 90s, Supertotings in the 90s, etc) or particular histories about some race pilots, race teams, etc... Greetings from Argentina.
I love these unique engines! Future show dedicated to "homemade/handmade" engines? There's a twin 2jz v12 a guy built, and a v8 made with 2 motorcycle engines. Even a gentleman that makes his own vintage v twin.
Friend, I have been hearing recordings of this engine for years. Even have audio of it doing full laps, recorded from one point infield. Throughout, you hear the entire manic, diabolical, split-personality banshee shriek reverberate off the hills cradling the unknown racetrack. It sounds like early V-Tech. Down low it’s all humdrum, sounds like a wound-out V-8 on a tri-oval. Then magically transforming before your ears into a vicious shriek. You don’t hear it as much as feel it. That’s just in the headphones. I cannot imagine what it must be like in person!
Most British car enthusiasts thought BRM were crazy at the time, as I recall. UK motor racing in the fifties was mostly about the small Coventry Climax fire pump engine and Jaguar's lovely straight six.
Thanks for the video, that engine is a gem! If you could find the time, check out the Novi V8. Built for winning Indy, it never did...instead it killed a lot of drivers.
Excellent analysis, great video. If you'd like to do some aeroplane engines I'd love to watch them. Engineers in the post WW-2 era were using ever more complex schemes to extract otherwise wasted energy from the exhaust, to increase efficiency - until the jet engine improved to the point that manufacturers halted development work on large piston engines. The Wright Turbo Compound engine is a good subject, but all the major aero engine builders had their own complex ways of boosting efficiency.
They used to keep all 5 in the factory at Bourne in the late 70's, and because my Dad worked there, my brother and I would go in, and just play in the cars like they were toys. Noone cared. Now they are worth an absolute fortune.
Honestly love all your content. Doesn't matter the subject. So detailed. My personal favorites are anything f1 from the beginning to the late 70s. But then again I love all things piston powered from 1900 to the late 1980s. Lol
I saw and heard, this car racing at the first NZIGP Jan 1954, at Ardmore aerodrome Auckland NZ at age 14, driven by Ken Wharton, who was tragically killed in a sports car race during the 1967 NZIGP, driving a Ferrari 250 LM - BRM V16, the engine had an ear piercing shrill - nothing else like it - Stirling Moss said it was the worst GP car he had ever driven
What beautiful machines, a great documentary on the cars and engines, I had no idea NRM built engines anywhere near that size and power, It sounds wonderful almost like a beast of some sort a totally wild untamed beast lol, keep them coming please Dx
Well I certainly enjoyed this. The idea to make engine stories is quite intriguing. Even for the most advanced petrolheads there still are unknown facts. As mentioned by yourself it shouldn't only be about automotive engines. I would certainly like to witness Rolls Royce Merlin engine story someday. How it started out as a privately funded project. Moved on to be recognised as an engine that won the war. Evolved to the 37 litre Griffon. And of course was downgraded to the Meteor for ground use and even cut to 2/3 with an interesting Meteorite having only 8 cylinders. That would be a hands down the most exquisite video for me with tons of information to gather. It could even evolve into it's own series as there as was the Rolls Royce Kestrel following the birds of pray naming with it's own interesting story.
We greatly appreciate these videos on the roots of motorsports. The beautiful British Racing green livery reminds me that I would like to see video on the history of the Graham Hill, Colin Chapman, John Surtees, Team Lotus et al cars please.
You want to hear the rc149!! Hondas 125/5 that sound insane but for something closer to the spine tingling shriek you need the rc 166. Hondas 250/6 maxed at 18,000!!!!!!!
