1963 Lotus Elan vs. 1949 Mercury Roadster
To start off, 1963 Lotus Elan is newer by 14 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1949 Mercury Roadster. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1949 Mercury Roadster would be higher. At 3,990 cc (8 cylinders), 1949 Mercury Roadster is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1949 Mercury Roadster (108 HP @ 3800 RPM) has 8 more horse power than 1963 Lotus Elan. (100 HP @ 5700 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1949 Mercury Roadster should accelerate faster than 1963 Lotus Elan. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1949 Mercury Roadster weights approximately 956 kg more than 1963 Lotus Elan. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
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. 1949 Mercury Roadster has automatic transmission and 1963 Lotus Elan has manual transmission. 1963 Lotus Elan will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1949 Mercury Roadster will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1963 Lotus Elan | 1949 Mercury Roadster | |
Make | Lotus | Mercury |
Model | Elan | Roadster |
Year Released | 1963 | 1949 |
Body Type | Convertible | Convertible |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1498 cc | 3990 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | V |
Valves per Cylinder | 2 valves | 2 valves |
Horse Power | 100 HP | 108 HP |
Engine RPM | 5700 RPM | 3800 RPM |
Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
Vehicle Weight | 594 kg | 1550 kg |
Vehicle Length | 3700 mm | 5260 mm |
Wheelbase Size | 2140 mm | 2960 mm |