1959 Ford 12 M vs. 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380
To start off, 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 is newer by 21 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1959 Ford 12 M. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1959 Ford 12 M would be higher. At 3,818 cc (8 cylinders), 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 (218 HP @ 5500 RPM) has 181 more horse power than 1959 Ford 12 M. (37 HP @ 4250 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 should accelerate faster than 1959 Ford 12 M.
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. 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 has automatic transmission and 1959 Ford 12 M has manual transmission. 1959 Ford 12 M will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1959 Ford 12 M | 1980 Mercedes-Benz 380 | |
Make | Ford | Mercedes-Benz |
Model | 12 M | 380 |
Year Released | 1959 | 1980 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1172 cc | 3818 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | V |
Horse Power | 37 HP | 218 HP |
Engine RPM | 4250 RPM | 5500 RPM |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
Vehicle Length | 4070 mm | 4760 mm |
Vehicle Width | 1580 mm | 1800 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1620 mm | 1340 mm |