1959 Porsche 356 vs. 1959 Volvo 120
To start off, both 1959 Porsche 356 and 1959 Volvo 120 were released in the same year (1959). Therefore the support and the availability on parts for both vehicles should be relatively similar. At 1,581 cc (4 cylinders), 1959 Volvo 120 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1959 Porsche 356 (100 HP @ 6200 RPM) has 41 more horse power than 1959 Volvo 120. (59 HP @ 4500 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1959 Porsche 356 should accelerate faster than 1959 Volvo 120. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1959 Volvo 120 weights approximately 140 kg more than 1959 Porsche 356.
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. Let's talk about torque, 1959 Porsche 356 (121 Nm @ 5200 RPM) has 6 more torque (in Nm) than 1959 Volvo 120. (115 Nm @ 2500 RPM). This means 1959 Porsche 356 will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1959 Volvo 120.
Compare all specifications:
| 1959 Porsche 356 | 1959 Volvo 120 | |
| Make | Porsche | Volvo |
| Model | 356 | 120 |
| Year Released | 1959 | 1959 |
| Engine Position | Rear | Front |
| Engine Size | 1498 cc | 1581 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | boxer | in-line |
| Valves per Cylinder | 2 valves | 2 valves |
| Horse Power | 100 HP | 59 HP |
| Engine RPM | 6200 RPM | 4500 RPM |
| Torque | 121 Nm | 115 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 5200 RPM | 2500 RPM |
| Engine Bore Size | 85 mm | 79.4 mm |
| Engine Stroke Size | 66 mm | 80 mm |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats | 5 seats |
| Vehicle Weight | 855 kg | 995 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 3960 mm | 4460 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1680 mm | 1620 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1320 mm | 1510 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2110 mm | 2610 mm |
