1968 Lotus Elan vs. 1969 Mercury Monterey
To start off, 1969 Mercury Monterey is newer by 1 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1968 Lotus Elan. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1968 Lotus Elan would be higher. At 7,032 cc (8 cylinders), 1969 Mercury Monterey is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1969 Mercury Monterey (208 HP @ 4400 RPM) has 100 more horse power than 1968 Lotus Elan. (108 HP @ 6000 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 1969 Mercury Monterey should accelerate faster than 1968 Lotus Elan. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1969 Mercury Monterey weights approximately 1358 kg more than 1968 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. 1969 Mercury Monterey has automatic transmission and 1968 Lotus Elan has manual transmission. 1968 Lotus Elan will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1969 Mercury Monterey will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
1968 Lotus Elan | 1969 Mercury Monterey | |
Make | Lotus | Mercury |
Model | Elan | Monterey |
Year Released | 1968 | 1969 |
Engine Position | Front | Front |
Engine Size | 1558 cc | 7032 cc |
Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
Engine Type | in-line | V |
Horse Power | 108 HP | 208 HP |
Engine RPM | 6000 RPM | 4400 RPM |
Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
Vehicle Weight | 702 kg | 2060 kg |
Vehicle Length | 3690 mm | 5720 mm |
Vehicle Width | 1430 mm | 2030 mm |
Vehicle Height | 1170 mm | 1380 mm |