Understanding the Original Mustang Body
The 1964½–1970 Mustang features unibody construction, meaning the body and frame are a single, unified shell. This design distributes loads evenly throughout the structure rather than concentrating them on a separate frame. The result is lower overall weight and greater torsional stiffness, improving acceleration, handling, and crash performance.
All modern automobiles use unibody construction for these reasons. Prior to this advancement, vehicles used body-on-frame construction—a heavier and less refined approach in which the body and frame are two separate structures. Today, that method is primarily reserved for trucks, commercial vehicles, and some SUVs.
What Makes the Revology Mustang Unique
Each Revology Mustang features a new, all-steel unibody, assembled with heat-cured structural adhesives and welded using modern, automated spot welders to ensure consistent weld integrity. Key structural areas are seam welded for additional strength and durability.
The result is an exceptionally stiff and rigid body structure—a foundational advantage that enhances every aspect of performance, from ride comfort to handling precision.
Why It Matters
Drivers immediately notice the absence of squeaks and rattles that often characterize 1960s automobiles. The combination of sharp, responsive handling and excellent ride quality stems from optimized chassis tuning, made possible by the vehicle’s ultra-stiff body structure. This refinement delivers a driving experience that feels unmistakably modern, without sacrificing the timeless character of the original Mustang.
Integrated Chassis vs. Bolt-On Frame System
Some builders install a bolt-on frame and chassis system beneath the original Mustang body. These systems typically consist of a steel frame with front and rear suspension assemblies that bolt to the unibody. They are designed for ease of installation, requiring minimal labor and no specialized tools—making them appealing to home builders and custom shops working with aged or weakened unibodies.
However, this approach converts the unibody vehicle into a body-on-frame configuration, introducing several compromises:
- Increased weight, due to the addition of a separate frame structure
- Reduced handling precision, as road loads are transferred through the frame rather than directly through the body
- Packaging limitations, as the added frame occupies space that could otherwise support passenger comfort, luggage capacity, ground clearance, exhaust routing, or fuel storage
In contrast, the Revology integrated chassis attaches directly to the front and rear subframes of the unibody, just as originally designed. This approach preserves all the inherent benefits of unibody construction while leveraging modern materials and manufacturing techniques to dramatically enhance rigidity, strength, and noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) performance.
The result is a lighter, stronger, and more refined vehicle—an advanced engineering solution designed for performance, not convenience. While assembly requires specialized tools, equipment, and skilled labor, the payoff is a driving experience far superior to any bolt-on solution.
About Rear Suspension: Solid Axle vs. Independent Rear Suspension (IRS)
The Revology Mustang employs a solid rear axle, a proven and robust configuration that performs exceptionally well within this vehicle’s design parameters. While independent rear suspension offers certain theoretical handling advantages, its application in a platform not originally designed for it introduces significant tradeoffs:
- Packaging complexity that reduces available space and limits component placement
- Increased weight due to added hardware and subframe assemblies
- Higher NVH from aftermarket differential designs
In the Revology Mustang, these tradeoffs outweigh the minor handling benefits, making the solid rear axle the optimal balance of performance, reliability, and refinement.
Conclusion
When comparing the Revology Mustang’s integrated unibody and chassis system to aftermarket bolt-on alternatives, the key is to understand your priorities:
- If performance, handling, and refinement are your goals, the Revology integrated unibody chassis is unmatched.
- If low cost and ease of installation are higher priorities, a bolt-on frame system may suffice for a basic restomod project.
For discerning enthusiasts seeking the ultimate driving experience and build quality, Revology’s integrated chassis and unibody construction represent the most advanced and authentic evolution of the classic Mustang.