Pure Vision Design imagines what could have been with Martini Racing 1966 Ford Mustang T-5R [w/video]

Imagine, for a moment, this scene taking place way back in the 1960s:

"Ford has so much success with the Shelby racing program in the US, they had the new Indy motor that they wanted to get more development out of, they wanted to promote the Mustang more in Europe, and Martini Racing was just coming about. So the idea behind the car is that Ford contacted Martini and asked if they would do some testing on the Indy engine if they gave them some performance parts from Shelby."

It didn't actually happen, but it's a unique bit of historical coulda-woulda-shoulda-been described to us by Peter Harksell of Pure Vision Design. Its Martini Racing livery is enough for us to make us take notice, but the real story is the Indy Car engine underhood. It's an original Ford Indy engine from the 1960s, originally displacing 251 cubic inches and revving to a stratospheric 9,000 rpm.

The mill was rebuilt with the street in mind, now fuel-injected and measuring 300 cubic inches, and it boasts a wide and flat torque curve with over 300 pound-feet available from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm, maxing at 362 pound-feet. Horsepower comes to 426 at 6,900 rpm.

Just as importantly, the Mustang T-5R is built to handle with a modern suspension system from Detroit Speed & Engineering. Kept to just 2,300 pounds all in, this 'Stang is bound to be a serious performer. Check it out in our complete gallery above and read more about the car and its build process on Pure Vision Design's official website. Finally, be sure to watch the set of videos below.