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Slicing through the streets of Ann Arbor, the classic, fastback Mustang silhouette turns heads with its 1960s-style, blue-striped Shelby livery and menacing V-8 growl. But behind the wheel, the legendary pony feels taut like a modern \u2018Stang \u2014 chassis planted, suspension absorbing the V-8 engine\u2019s massive torque.<\/p>\n
Say hello to the Revology Shelby GT350.<\/p>\n
Like a mad movie scientist, ex-Ford marketing guru Tom Scarpello is bringing classic Mustangs back to life with a modern technology transplant. Taking exact-replica 1966-68 Mustang bodies and girding them with state-of-the-art suspension\u00a0engineering and instrumentation, Scarpello\u2019s Revology Mustangs are road-worthy recreations for the pony-car enthusiast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Mustang that everyone covets is the original 1960s car, but no one wants the hassle of owning one. Revology makes the cars relevant again,\u201d says Scarpello,\u00a0who worked for Ford and other automakers before opening his own manufacturing facility in Orlando, Florida.<\/p>\n
From GT350s to Steve McQueen\u2019s Highland Green Bullitt, Ford\u2019s sixth-generation Mustang still draws on its 50-year\u00a0heritage even as its current models are light years beyond ’60s tech. But Revology is the first company to license Ford and Shelby heritage models and update them with modern engineering.<\/p>\n
His Revology lineup includes six model Mustangs ranging\u00a0from a 460-horse 1966 GT convertible to an earth-pawing\u00a01967 Shelby GT500 with a 600-horsepower supercharged\u00a0Roush V-8.<\/p>\n
Scarpello knows muscle. Working for Ford\u2019s SVT performance division from 1998-2004, he was product manager for Ford\u2019s first GT supercar \u2014 based on the iconic 1966 Le Mans winner. In his spare time he raced SCCA’s Formula Mazda series. After a short run as (then Ford-owned) Jaguar\u2019s marketing manager in Irvine, California, he left Ford\u00a0on a quixotic journey to establish his own auto business. He hopscotched the globe \u2014 California, Mexico, Hong Kong, Japan\u00a0\u2014 learning the auto sales craft with dealers, Nissan\u00a0and Infiniti before finally establishing Revology in Orlando\u00a0in 2015.<\/p>\n
His timing couldn\u2019t have been better.<\/p>\n
Ford was celebrating Mustang’s 50th anniversary in 2015 and throwing a global party. For the first time, America\u2019s pony car would be sold around the world. Heritage toys like the\u00a050th-anniversary\u00a0Bullitt Mustang\u00a0<\/a>followed. The new Mustang was a hit \u2014 eclipsing\u00a0Camaro sales for the first time in years \u2014\u00a0but its modern styling had a mixed reaction\u00a0among pony faithful yearning for a more retro \u201860s look.<\/p>\n He was also working with SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) and Washington to make sure his business model conformed\u00a0with U.S.\u00a0safety and environmental regulations,\u00a0which can be daunting costs for small manufacturers.<\/p>\n Whereas states have typically regulated the\u00a0so-called \u201ckit car\u201d market, a draft federal law for low-volume vehicle production would allow companies like Revology to manufacture up to 325 vehicles a year without having to go through full U.S. crash and emissions testing. Just as long as companies use approved engines and chassis equipment.<\/p>\n For Revology, Mustang’s state-of-the-art driveline is the soul of the machine. The original, 289-cubic inch, 1966 Mustang V-8 pumped out 271 horses.\u00a0The current, 305-cube, Coyote engine makes a howling 460.<\/p>\n Scarpello brought a Revology 1966\u00a0Shelby GT350 to Ann Arbor for media testing. The\u00a0\u00a0beast flat-out goes.<\/p>\n While the 2018 Mustang GT350 \u2014\u00a0larded with sound-proofing material that muffles the V-8’s roar in the cabin \u2014 tips\u00a0the scales at 3,705 pounds, the Revology\u00a0GT350 weighs\u00a0just 3,225. The Coyote’s roar \u2014 WAAUUUGGGGH!! \u2014\u00a0rattles the cabin just like the good ol’ days.<\/p>\n This integration of new and old, classic and contemporary, is repeated throughout the Revology ‘Stang.<\/p>\n Revology buys its chassis from Dynacorn, which re-creates classic steel shells to the same dimension\u00a0as the ’60s original. Then Scarpello’s team of mad scientists goes to work. The chassis is strapped down with extensive bracing, modern double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear. It’s\u00a0bolted to\u00a0period wheels wrapped in wider rubber.<\/p>\n Add a modern V-8 and six-speed manual transmission to the recipe and the GT350 tester is a no-compromise classic with 52\/48 weight distribution. Cornering is flat. Acceleration ferocious.<\/p>\n Revology has added minimal sound-deadening material\u00a0to keep the classic’s raw emotion. The same is true for the interior, which appears to be of period-spec with its long shifter\u00a0handle and round, analog gauges. Even the high beams are still activated via a button on the floor with your left foot.<\/p>\n But on closer inspection, the instruments have gained LED lighting and an infotainment screen (complete with modern goo-gaws like smartphone connectivity)\u00a0anchors the dash. It has\u00a0automatic windows, AC, power steering, a push-button starter\u00a0and seats wrapped in leather.<\/p>\n All this integration doesn’t come cheap. Revology Mustangs sticker for between $174,000 and $227,000 \u2014\u00a0or about the price of an original car at auction<\/a>. Difference is, you can comfortably drive the Revology car to work.<\/p>\n\u201cThose trends came together\u00a0at a good time for us,\u201d smiles Scarpello, who says orders for his cars have come from seven countries.<\/div>\n