1951 Bristol 401 vs. 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196
To start off, 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 is newer by 4 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1951 Bristol 401. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1951 Bristol 401 would be higher. At 2,497 cc (8 cylinders), 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 (276 HP @ 8500 RPM) has 204 more horse power than 1951 Bristol 401. (72 HP @ 4500 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 should accelerate faster than 1951 Bristol 401. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1951 Bristol 401 weights approximately 505 kg more than 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control.
Compare all specifications:
| 1951 Bristol 401 | 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 | |
| Make | Bristol | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | 401 | W 196 |
| Year Released | 1951 | 1955 |
| Engine Size | 1970 cc | 2497 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 6 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 valves | 2 valves |
| Horse Power | 72 HP | 276 HP |
| Engine RPM | 4500 RPM | 8500 RPM |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Manual |
| Vehicle Weight | 1225 kg | 720 kg |
