1996 BMW 540 vs. 1955 Ford Thunderbird

To start off, 1996 BMW 540 is newer by 41 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1955 Ford Thunderbird. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1955 Ford Thunderbird would be higher. At 5,112 cc (8 cylinders), 1955 Ford Thunderbird is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1996 BMW 540 (282 HP @ 5400 RPM) has 59 more horse power than 1955 Ford Thunderbird. (223 HP @ 4600 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1996 BMW 540 should accelerate faster than 1955 Ford Thunderbird. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1996 BMW 540 weights approximately 335 kg more than 1955 Ford Thunderbird. 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. 1996 BMW 540 has automatic transmission and 1955 Ford Thunderbird has manual transmission. 1955 Ford Thunderbird will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1996 BMW 540 will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

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