Recreating the Magic: The Revology Mustang

By Staff Writer
May 3, 2018 | Ford | Posted in Features | From the Jan. 2017 issue | Never miss an article

Story by John Webber

Revology founder Tom Scarpello, whose first car was a ’65 Mustang fastback, is a former Ford, Jaguar and Nissan executive. He describes his new Mustang as a “postmodern interpretation that blends the style and character of the original, while it integrates modern technology to improve performance, safety, reliability and comfort.”

Along with 1965–’66 Mustang convertibles and fastbacks, the company is also licensed to produce Shelby Mustang replicas. Revology has completed seven cars with 10 more under construction at the time of our visit. They have enough orders in the queue to keep them busy for months.

Who is buying these cars? “Male baby boomers,” Tom said. “They like the idea of the classic Mustang style with modern comfort, safety and reliability. Some are collectors. In fact, we’re now building a GT350H for a collector who owns an original. We also have a few younger customers who simply think it’s cool to be able to drive a classic Mustang every day, especially one with a warranty, and they have the discretionary income to afford it.”

With prices north of $162,500 (depending on options), this modern Mustang appeals to a relatively small niche of the motoring public, but Tom told us that interest is high and continues to grow. Orders have come from buyers in the U.S., Ethiopia, Russia, Sweden, Israel, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

While we drove the 5.0-liter Windsor-equipped prototype, Revology’s current production models are powered by either Ford’s Coyote all-aluminum engine (435 horsepower and 400 ft.-lbs. of torque) or GM’s LS3 E-Rod (430 horsepower and 435 ft.-lbs). So equipped, the replica has nearly twice the horsepower of an original and weighs 555 pounds less than a 2017 Mustang GT. Revology has not yet released performance numbers, but they tell us that their replica has a power-to-weight ratio better than that of a Ferrari 360 Modena.

Of the cars now being assembled, 75 percent are Ford powered and the rest are GM powered. Customers may choose either an automatic or six-speed manual transmission. To date, all have ordered automatics.

As for paint and interior, most owners have selected original Mustang combinations. Revology’s replicas come standard with a tilt steering column; power windows, seats and door locks; keyless entry; a digital message center; and a stereo system with Bluetooth capability. A long list of options includes a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation and reverse camera plus a technology package that enables remote control and monitoring of some functions via smartphone. More details and specifications are at revologycars.com.

Revology’s Mustang made its first appearance at the 2015 Amelia Island Concours. “Our show stand was jam-packed both days,” Tom said. “The reaction was phenomenal, and the press coverage of our launch was much greater than we expected.” At the MCA National in Augusta, Georgia, several judges reviewed the prototype and pronounced it “well thought out” and “well done.” Of course, some hardcore purists will scoff at any replica, but the Mustang folks we talked to called this one the real deal.

And the final word from our gen-one owners? While they both loved the car and the way it drives, they acknowledged that it’s a bit out of their price range. Still, a guy can hope.

Jim, whose wife’s previous daily driver was the very ’66 Mustang convertible that Sharon Stone drove (with Sylvester Stallone riding shotgun) in the 1994 movie “The Specialist,” says, “Julie loved the looks and enjoyed the honks and thumbs-up, but hated the problems associated with the daily commute in a classic car. We ended up selling it. I think she needs to test-drive a Revology Mustang. Maybe I can talk her into a Rangoon Red fastback with a red Pony interior. I’ll let you know how that turns out.”

“I wanted my Mustang to be the same way it was when the first owner received it. I needed to replicate, not improve, the details and sloppy factory work.”

“You’re literally driving a brand-new V8 Mustang with all the comfort and options you’d expect, but it’s all hidden within a beautiful 1966 classic body.”