Better Than Ever
We took a ride in Revology’s all-new Mustang replica with a modern engine
By Steve Turner
To the uninitiated observing a Revology Cars vehicle for the first time, looks can be deceiving. Most think these vehicles are restified Mustangs brought back to better than new condition with modern improvements. Some of that is true, but these replicas are actually all-new vehicles.
Every time the company displays its vehicles, curious onlookers have to pick their jaws up off the floor when they learn these are new cars. Revology starts with a Dynacorn body and runs it through a factory-style build process, which includes a massive amount of custom work to create a car that embodies the spirit of a classic Mustang, but is better in every way.
“The Revology Mustang is gorgeous to look at, but it is built to be driven,” Revology’s founder and president, Tom Scarpello said. “Our clients drive their cars.”
Most readers of this site should know that Revology’s main man did a long stint with Ford’s now-defunct Special Vehicle Team where he was charged with marketing cars like the second-gen Lightning, the Terminator and the Ford GT. During that time Tom learned a lot about the production process and he has transferred that knowledge to map out an assembly-line process for the Revology machines.
“Certainly, the economics of volume production are in our favor,” says Nathan Loucks, Revology’s production manager. “We presently build only the first generation Mustang 2+2 and convertible, in base, GT, and Shelby specification. We have three engines, three transmissions, two suspensions, two brake packages. By building repeatedly the same basic combinations, we can be very efficient and improve quality at the same time. Our team has become experts in every aspect of assembly of this model, because this is what they do, all day, every day.”
We visited Revology right after the company launched and they have already moved to a larger facility to make room for this expanded production process. The company has done little in the way of marketing its concept, but the orders are already rolling in.
During our first visit we were able to drive one of the early prototypes powered by a pushrod 5.0-liter engine. It was a fun package, but we asked about a version with the Coyote engine. Tom wasn’t sure about it at the time, but it turns out that customers ordering a hand-built retro machine want all the modern conveniences, including an engine that delivers seamless driveablity and performance, like the Ford Performance Coyote 5.0-liter.
“The Coyote is a jewel,” Tom said. “It has it all… Power, torque, and light weight; smooth, high revving, and reliable. Driving a Coyote-powered Revology Mustang is an amazing experience.”
To capture that experience, we asked Tom to take us for a ride so we could ask him a few questions…
[video=youtube;_bAtzz9Inuk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bAtzz9Inuk [/video]
“These are seriously fast cars, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Our cars are about the joy of driving,” Tom enthused. “Even driving normally, in a Revology Mustang, you know you’re driving something special.”
Having ridden in the car, we can definitely say the Revology machines sound great and perform far better than a classic Mustang with a period-correct powertrain. Moreover, the handling and NVH qualities are vastly better than the vintage hardware we have sampled, even those with newer engine swaps.
As Tom squeezes the pedal to the floor, the Coyote howls like we haven’t heard one before. It doesn’t sound quite like a modern Mustang, but more like a vintage hot rod thanks to the unique Revology exhaust. The thrust is quite familiar, however, thanks to the pairing of 400-plus horsepower in a lighter package.
Moreover, the car turns and corners better than a classic ever thought it could. Clearly all the work put into hand-building these cars is paying off. It is also being recognized as you can see the example we experienced is an officially licensed tribute to the original Shelby GT-H. Both standard Shelby and Hertz replicas are available from Revology.
“We think what Revology Cars is doing is fresh and innovative,” M. Neil Cummings, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc., said. “We like that they leverage modern technology to make significant functional improvements, while at the same time remaining faithful to the original Shelby design aesthetic.”
They are definitely loyal to the design, as buyers of the Shelby replicas must stick to paint options that mimic the originals, while buyers of standard Revology Mustangs can opt for more unique paint schemes and upholstery options.
In just a short time since launching the company last year, Tom and his team have already rolled out several variations on the classic Mustang theme and added a variety of options into the mix in response to customer demand. However, as we learned during our visit, the next frontier for Revology is parts.
Not only will the company offer the same parts it uses to build its machines for the DIY crowd, but also the company is rolling out a full line of products for 1964 ½ to present Mustangs. This gear will be available on a new, user-friendly site that we previewed before its launch. The site looks great and it will feature a mix of general aftermarket parts, the proven parts Revology uses in its own vehicles, as well as some of the unique parts the company developed for those cars.
With production in full swing and a parts business on the launching pad, Revology is already poised for growth, so it will be fun to see where the company is headed next.
This is the first officially licensed Shelby GT-H replica built by Revology. We first glimpsed it at Barrett Jackson in West Palm Beach, Florida, where it attracted a lot of attention. The classic Mustang lines and gold-over-black paint scheme is timeless.
This version does feature the standard engine package, which is one of Ford Performance’s Coyote crate engines. Putting over 400 well-behaved horses under the hood of an all-new classic Mustang turns this time machine into a real performance car.
Revology offers a variety of optional, vintage-look wheels in larger diameters. They even offer upgraded Pirelli tires. While the widest optional rim measures at 8 inches, the wheel wells are large enough to accept a 9-inch-wide wheel.
Revology turns out the replica Shelby interiors in the spirit of the originals, but with modern gauges, nicer materials, and special touches like power seats. For the standard Revology Mustangs, you can order a variety of custom trim touches right from the company’s in-house trim shop. Revology is even developing its own seats, which look similar to the stockers but offer better support.
The Revology Mustang trunks are far more finished than the rear storage area of the stock classic Mustangs. Revology mounts the battery in its own box low on the passenger side to help with balance.
We have known Tom Scarpello since his days at Ford SVT and he was kind enough to give us a tour of the Revology assembly line and take us for a ride in the company’s Coyote-powered Shelby GT-H replica.
Each Revology Mustang starts as a Dynacorn body and a build sheet. Then it follows an OE-style assembly line build process where the body receives numerous modifications before heading off to paint.
The trunk floor is prepped for the battery box and fitted with a steel panel to isolate the fuel tank from the passenger compartment. That plate is fitted with noise-damping materials. The Revology Mustangs utilize four different types of materials to damped different frequencies and deliver a more modern driving experience.
One of the most important pre-paint modifications is cutting out the shock towers and installing the unequal-length-control-arm front suspension to make way for the wide Coyote 5.0-liter engine and deliver more precise handling.
Back from paint, the assembly process continues with wiring and interior additions.
Revology offers two engine choices and three transmission options—one auto and two manuals. The Ford engine option is the Coyote 5.0-liter crate engine from Ford Performance.
The Equipment List
Exterior
• New, Ford-Licensed Dynacorn Fastback Body
• Shelby and GT350 Badges
• Painted Le Mans Stripes
• Vinyl Side Stripes
• Plexiglas Quarter Windows
• Shelby Fiberglass Hood W/ Scoop And Hood Pins
• Side Scoops
• Shelby Bullet Mirrors, Chrome (Passenger Side Is Convex)
• 16x8 V50 10-Spoke Wheels
• 225/50rf 16 Run Flat Tires
• LED Exterior Lighting
• Hidden Antenna
• Low Restriction Dual Exhaust System
• Sequential Turn Signals
• Safety/Security
• Three-Point Seat Belts, Front
• Dual Chamber Master Cylinder
• Collapsible Steering Column
• Fuel Pump Inertia Switch
• Door Intrusion Beams
Functional
• Ford 5.0-liter Ti-VCT Coyote DOHC V8
• 4R70W Automatic Transmission (optional)
• Four Wheel Disc Brakes, 12.88-inch Front/ 13-inch Rear w/ Ventilated and Slotted Front Rotors, Six-Piston Front/Four-Piston Rear Quicksilver Calipers and Performance Brake Pads
• Power Rack And Pinion Steering
• Unequal Length Control Arm Front Suspension
• Three-Link w/ Coil Spring Rear Suspension
• Ford 9-inch 31-Spline Rear, 3.89 Ratio
• Eaton TrueTrac Limited Slip Differential
• Electronic Parking Brake
• 1.5a Onboard Battery Tender
Interior
• R134 Air Conditioning
• Leather Seating Surfaces
• Leatherette-Wrapped Dash Pad
• Leatherette-Wrapped Rear Cargo Area
• Shelby Standard Interior, Black
• Fold Down Rear Seat
• Tilt Steering Column
• Power Driver And Passenger Sport Seats w/Side Bolsters, Manual Recline
• LED Interior Lighting
• Digital Message Center
• Power Windows
• Power Door Locks
• Remote Keyless Entry
• AM/FM Stereo w/Amplifier, Four Speakers and Bluetooth
• Interval Wipers
• Interior Trunk Release
• Carpeted Floor Mats
• Carpeted Trunk
