Cannonball car, was the sound real ? | FerrariChat
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Cannonball car, was the sound real ?

Discussion in 'LamborghiniChat.com' started by geno berns, Mar 16, 2009.

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  1. geno berns

    geno berns F1 Rookie

    Oct 26, 2006
    3,006
    Midwest
    Full Name:
    Geno
    #1 geno berns, Mar 16, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2009
    It's been said on this site that the sound the Cannonball Countach's engine made in the movie was a dubbed. It may be the sound of the 4.4L flat 12 of a 365 GT4/BB. Chicago got a little warmer this past Sunday, so I dug up the digital miniature listing device (activates upon noise over a certain decibel level) I bought to ease drop on the nanny when we first hired her to watch over our kid. I duck taped it right on the side to one of the air cleaners next to the left bank of Webers and went on what I would call a simulated acceleration/deceleration session, just like the black Countach in the cult favorite movie we all love, the Cannonball Run. After a few good runs on Lake Shore Drive, I was anxious to get home and give it a listen.
    -Result-
    Status: Inconclusive

    There was a resemblance. The sound was not exact however. On deceleration the sound was very close to the sound in the movie. At acceleration the sound was less similar, but did sound a bit like the car in the movie. There was a good amount of "other" sound interference that did not help. I think the exhaust could easily have played a role in the way a 365 BB can or can not sound. I run a factory exhaust system in my BB and it is very restrictive. Maybe with a better exhaust the sound would be closer to that harmony we all fell in love with in the movie. If the sound was produced by the actual black Countach in the movie, it would be nice to know where and how they were able to get such a clear recording. Maybe Jeff, the new owner can do a similar test and let us know.

    Geno.
     
  2. coco1984

    coco1984 Karting

    Aug 6, 2008
    94
    Melbourne, AU
    Full Name:
    Richard
    #2 coco1984, Mar 17, 2009

    this would definitely settle some debates which have occured on this forum in the past once and for all. it would be interesting to find out!
     
  3. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3 joe sackey, Mar 17, 2009
    The sound track at the start of the movie was definitely recorded externally, in the vicinity of the tailpipes. The reason I say that is because if you are a Countach owner, you'll know that there are 2 other sounds distinctly missing. They are cam-chain chatter, and gearbox whine, both of which are very audible either in the cockpit or in the vicinity of the engine bay of a Countach on the move. This I suspect is the reason some feel the soundtrack is a little "pure" and hard-edged compared to what we identify as Countach sound.

    Just my somewhat-educated theory of course...

    As an aside, Tony has to call me yesterday whilst test-driving the Cannonball car (bastard!) to ask me about carburettors, and the sound I heard in the background was definitely "basso supremo"!
     
  4. SMS

    SMS F1 Veteran

    Jan 7, 2004
    6,775
    Indy
    Full Name:
    Bill S.
    #4 SMS, Mar 17, 2009
    Unless they hurry up with the audio sound clips as promised, I think he owes each of us our own private phone call while running the Cannonball thru the gears. :)
     
  5. jeff512tr

    jeff512tr Formula Junior

    Apr 21, 2004
    446
    Celebration, FL
    #5 jeff512tr, Mar 17, 2009
    LOL
    The car is now at Tony's shop now for some restoration work to be completed before the Celebration Exotic Car Festival April 17-19
    Once it is back I will try and make a recording outside the car near the exhaust as Joe suggested.

    Or, even better, everyone can come to the event next month and hear it in person!

    Jeff
     
  6. ken qv

    ken qv Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2006
    1,925
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Ken Roberson
    #6 ken qv, Mar 17, 2009
    I thought it was pretty clear a few months back that the sound came from the car in the movie.
    How many people that hear the car in person have to say it sounds like the car in the movie?
     
  7. Tony Ierardi

    Tony Ierardi Formula Junior

    May 30, 2004
    886
    Naples, FL
    #7 Tony Ierardi, Mar 17, 2009
    Hi Ken,

    This may help.

    When the car is being filmed from the helicopter the sound is dubbed and maybe enhanced a bit, but it is that Countach.

    I don't think we can recreate that exact sound in that scene, however if you watch the end of the movie just after the road is reopened, the camera is in the foreground, all the cars and trucks are charging the camera, you see the Ferrari 308 and the Counatch weaving in and out and all the engines of all those cars are on at the same time. Listen and you'll hear the Countach. There is no mistaking it.

    Tony
     
  8. ken qv

    ken qv Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2006
    1,925
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Ken Roberson
    #8 ken qv, Mar 17, 2009
    Agreed.
     

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