Distinctive sound of a Bristol 2 Litre Engine

[pnaleahy]

There is a quite distinctive sound from the exhaust of a Bristol six cylinder engine.

This distinctive sound can be heard from a Bristol car - miles away.
Nothing else sounds just like a Bristol 2 litre engine in good tune.

So what is it mechanically about the motor that gives it such distinctive resonance?

[James Eastwood]

I'm going to guess the unique sounds is partially created by having single choke triple cars. If you work out the timing the pulses thru carbs 1 and 3, is different to the middle carb. Carbs 1 and three have a 240/480 degree firing whereas the middle carb has a 360/360 pattern.

Also I think the smaller size of the block possibly encourages higher resonant frequencyies.