Revology’s Mustang replicas. Photos courtesy of Revology.
Modern cars, it’s often said, lack both the style and the soul of cars from the past, but there’s no denying the fact that they’re generally faster, more fuel efficient, and safer. The best of both worlds, then, would be a modern car wrapped in vintage sheetmetal, which is exactly the reasoning behind the first-generation Mustang replicas now being produced by Revology in Winter Park, Florida.
Starting with a Ford-licensed Dynacorn body, in either fastback or convertible style, Revology will build buyers a complete, Ford-licensed replica of a 1966 Mustang. Perhaps restomod is a better term than replica, because beneath the skin the Revology Mustang sports a modern suspension (though still with a live axle out back) and a modern drivetrain. Unlike restorations, the finished product even carries a warranty, covering the buyer for one year bumper-to-bumper, three years on powertrain and five years on body corrosion, as long as the car isn’t driven in “extreme weather conditions” on salted roads.
It would be logical to assume that a current 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 powers the replica, or even the previous-generation 4.6-liter V-8, but the recent modular V-8s don’t fit between the front suspension mounting points without serious modifications to the structure. Instead, Revology uses the 5.0-liter V-8 from earlier Mustangs, purchased as rebuilt directly from Ford and coupled to a Ford-rebuilt transmission (a five-speed manual is standard, but an automatic is also available). Revology isn’t releasing horsepower numbers for the EFI V-8, but in the 1995 Mustang the engine was rated at 225 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.
Inside the cabin, the Mustang carries modern touches like power door locks, power windows, a power trunk release, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a tilt steering wheel, a power driver’s seat and a modern gauge display, complete with a trip computer. Concessions to safety include reinforced door beams, three-point seat belts, a dual-chamber master cylinder and a collapsible steering column. Headlamps and taillamps may look like the original units, but behind the lenses are modern LED lights.
The man behind Revology, its self-proclaimed “chief revologist,” is Tom Scarpello, who ran Ford’s Special Vehicle Team from 1998 to 2004. That means the company has strong ties to Ford, which explains why the replicas are Ford-licensed and can be serviced for warranty repairs at participating Ford dealers. Revology is even seen as a low-volume manufacturer, meaning its cars are titled as replicas and equipped with a unique and original 17-digit VIN, as opposed to the 11-digit VIN carried on original 1966 Mustangs. For those living in states that don’t allow licensing of replica vehicles, Revology has a solution: Customers can supply a first generation Mustang of their own, and the company will build it into a comparable car, tiled and licensed with the original’s VIN.
As one would guess, such a low-volume, hand-built car comes at a premium price. Before checking off any of the option boxes (which include things like a high-output V-8, an upgraded audio system, performance suspension and brakes, leather seating surfaces and even Reverse Park Assist), pricing for the fastback model begins at $119,500, with the convertible starting at $122,000. On the one hand, finding a clean original Mustang and funding a top-shelf restoration could easily reach (or exceed) this number, but on the other hand, restored original cars are more likely to retain value or appreciate as the years go by.
As a daily driver, then, the Revology Mustang may be the best of both worlds for those wanting a “new” 1966 Mustang, assuming the price is within budget. For more information, visit RevologyCars.com.
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