I have never had an open top car before, let alone a remake of a classic. I am quite taken by the XKSS and am considering purchasing a remake from a British outfit. However, I do suffer from mild tinnitus and would like to know if it will make it worse?

I am not big into engine revving, I like the style and experience of driving, but being open top I would not be insulated from the engine noise and would like to know from enthusiasts if this is likely an issue?

Ironically, it's when the day is at it's most quiet that its audible, at night, but I don't want to make it any worse.

 

I've never had an XKSS, but I did have an open E Type and the greatest source of noise to me was wind buffeting. It was ok up to about 55mph, and at 70mph was uncomfortable. Obviously the engine isn't as quiet as a modern car. I have a 1966 S Type and I drove that in the summer with a noise meter and at 70 mph with the windows down I was getting readings in the high 90's dB.

If you're already suffering from hearing loss, I would highly recommend wearing ear plugs when driving cars like these.

 

Many thanks for the information, I was beginning to lose hope anybody would reply back.

Anything after 85db seems to curtail any driving time to just the shop at the end of the road and back, perhaps your suggestion merits looking in to!

ref: https://www.noisehelp.com/noise-dose.html

 

The usual recommendation is 85dB is the maximum for an 8 hour exposure. When I drive the old cars on long trips, I wear earplugs and I do find I arrive less tired than if I didn't. I do the same if I'm taking a flight for more than about 2 hours in duration, I find it does make a difference. Much seems to depend on the design of the car, as I have a convertible XJS and I have driven that 650 miles in a day with the top down and no hearing protection and I was fine. I do tend to be quite careful with my hearing, I wear ear muffs when using power tools and when I do target or clay pigeon shooting I use both plugs and muffs to double up.

I expect an XKSS will have a more aggressive exhaust sound, so perhaps just assume you'll always be wearing earplugs and see if that works for you? Do they have a demonstrator you can test drive to see how good/bad the combination of wind and engine noise is?

 

Thank you for taking the time, I'll be better prepared now.

 

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/8b61...c-570e9185a07c

I just came across this on LEGO Ideas, how about that!