For a long time I wanted to create a library of sounds of classic cars from the 60s – 80s which were popular in Eastern / Central Europe.
Growing up in Poland in the 80’s I was familiar with them. Now, during recording sessions it surprised me how clearly I remember their sound and still can identify them.
If you live in a different part of the world, those sounds might be exotic for you. Every car I have recorded has its unique sound character. Same goes with their look. I miss it in todays cars, which are all unified…

I’m not an automotive expert at all. But that’s the thing I love in field recording – you are going out of your lovely editing room, out of you computer screen and meet people. People which are experts, geeks and which totally love what they do. In this case – collectors of vintage cars and most often car mechanics specializing in this period cars.
Being (sound) geek myself, I quickly found common language with them. It’s very inspiring to meet people who live their passion.
I would like to thank to all of them for their help and engagement. Special thanks goes to Krzysiek and Grzegorz. Big thanks guys, it was great to meet you!

Most of the recording sessions I did at night. And despite the fact that it’s harder to work in the dark, I much prefer it this way. It’s much quieter, even in my fav locations which are away from traffic and other unwanted noise sources.
Also, I love recording in the late autumn / early winter. It’s dry, no crickets, birds and leaves. A bit cold sometimes, but I can live with that.

I did general coverage of quite a few cars. Below are some of them.
At first I always focus on the basic stationary engine sounds using MS rig. Later I switch to two shotguns and record all maneuvers and passes. After that I get in and record onboard sounds using 4-8 mics. And finally (when it’s very late) I record doors, trunk, brakes, gear lever and everything that produces any sound in MS.
My main trick when recording vehicles is to use two recorders – one inside the car and one with me when I record EXT maneuvers. Almost always I work alone, so after doing all basic EXT maneuvers I get in and sync them or use just the bigger one. This way I get more recordings, always something unique can happen.

So here comes the first one – FSO Warszawa 223, (Polish, 1951-1973)

It has very distinct engine sound.

After a few recordings I learned, that after the fastest passes when engine heats up, you can grab nice radiator clinks when car stops.

It was great to see these cars driving that fast, despite their age.

FSM Syrena 105L (Polish, 1957-1983) – this one has super characteristic sound.

It’s two-stroke engine, which without image could be identified as an old motorcycle.
It has very unique exhaust sound. Definitely distinctive sound of those times.

Another classic from the past – FSO Fiat 125p (Polish, 1967-1991).
Very popular years ago here.

Also very characteristic exhaust sound.

The next one is a bit similar visually, yet not aurally – VAZ Lada 1500S (Russian, 1972-1984).

Now a car for VIPs from that period GAZ Volga-24 (Russian, 1968-1985).

This car has a lot of power and majesty.

And another one for quite wealthy people at that time – Fiat 131 Mirafiori.

We treated it rough, but it was worth it.

Another reason to love those cars – they have a real and massive chromed bumpers, so you can attach your mics easily, without worries to harm it’s paint.

And one of the last cars I have recorded in 2013 – VW Transporter T3 with Boxer engine same as in the original Beetle and T1 and T2 as well. This engine worked like it was manufactured yesterday, it was all in a great shape (session was so intense that I forgot to take pictures).

For 2014 I have a few another classic cars chosen.
Can’t wait to go out and record them.

(If you liked it, you can check more sounds on my previous post here)

Everyone older than 20-30 years, growing in Poland or any other country which was in communist block should be familiar with classic cars from that era. They had very distinct sound.

A year ago, working on a beautiful animated short Ziegenort I had to record one of them, one of the smallest car of that era – Fiat 126p. It appeared that it’s not that easy to find it these days. During the recording session all my memories from the childhood came back.

Its engine:

Not always working best:

Car doors (love that can resonance):

I realized than, I have to record those cars, since it will be harder and harder to get them.

After some research I found out, that there are still many fans of those cars. Last weekend I went to the Oldtimers Rally, which took place in Nowa Huta (literally means The New Steel Mill) – district of Krakow, built by the communists in the 50s. This place gave unique atmosphere to the event. I met there many super nice people, which love those cars. And of course many, many beautiful cars with a character hard to find in todays vehicles.

On big events, it’s always hard to capture good and clean sounds. I decided to record panned passes first, doing voice ident on each take. And coming back home and listening to the sounds for the first time, I realized how it was important.

So here comes the beauties (in chronological order):

Velorex (very rare, three-wheeled car, Chechoslovakia, 1950-1971):

FSO Warszawa (Poland, 1951-1973):

FSM/FSO Syrena (Poland, 1956-1983):

Trabant (East Germany, 1957-1991):

Wartburg 353 (East Germany, 1966-1988):

FSO Polski Fiat 125p (Poland, 1967-1991):

GAZ-24 Wołga (USSR, 1968-1985):

Skoda 100 (Chechoslovakia, 1969-1976):

FSM/FSO Polski Fiat 127p (1973-1975):

FSM Polski Fiat 126p (Poland, 1973-2000):

Skoda 105 (Czechoslovakia, 1976-1990):

FSO Polonez (Poland, 1978-2002):

Maybe those cars bodies are old, but their souls definitely aren’t:

And here is Citizens Militia siren:

And some speeches from that era, re-amped on it’s PA. Reality is always much more complex and interesting than processing with any plugin.

And some close miced exhausts, of FSO Syrena (as owners told me, there aren’t two of them sounding the same):

And Zastava (Yugoslavia/Poland, 1973-1983):

After long and hot hours running around cars, we took a ride in a vintage bus – Jelcz 021 (Poland, 1967-1979). It was loud yet everyone were very happy, some of us recalled early childhood:

On the event, I met many very open and nice people, willing to help and share their passion.

Great experience and I think just the beginning of my collecting sounds of vintage cars.

[recorded with: Neumann KMR 81 + KM120 MS set | Sound Devices 702]