When it comes to precisely reproducing vintage race cars at a high caliber, it typically comes at a big, big cost. It takes a lot of time, talent, and of course money to make it happen. When we saw the Pure Vision T-5R Mustang at the ARP booth at SEMA, we had finally found a company that was able to pull it off correctly.

There’s no doubting that cars are only getting bigger and heavier. That may soon change in a few years though as major automakers seek to reduce weight to improve performance and fuel economy. This trend is affecting the automotive aftermarket too, as hot rodders and engine builders embrace the “less is more” philosophy and weight savings.

Pure Vision Design may be remembered as a vanguard of this movement thanks to their SEMA project, which they call the 1966 Martini T-5R. Inspired by the very Mustangs that won Tour De France in 1964, the T-5R features an all-aluminum Indy engine, a race-prepped transmission, and fiberglass body panels, this race-ready Mustang takes weight savings to the next level. If you are wondering about weight, estimates is that the T-5R will way 2300-2400 pounds.

At the heart of Pure Vision’s concept is a 292 cubic-inch, all-aluminum, four-cam Indy motor mounted to a NASCAR-prepared four-speed transmission. Making 425hp at 7,100rpm (in race trim in 1965 they revved 9,000 rpm), this was one high revving engine for it’s time. Also the engine makes over 300 lb/ft of torque from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm.

“We were actually looking at a different engine when we went down to Ed Pink Racing Engines and we determined the engine we were looking at wasn’t going to work for a street car,” said Peter Harksell III. “The guys over there pointed to the corner and said ‘hey, have you thought about one of these Ford Indy engines, we have three of them’ so that’s the route we took.”

The combined weight of this setup is just 363 pounds, less than half the weight of the original drivetrain in a ‘66 Mustang. Throw in fiberglass body panels and plexiglass windows, and you’re talking about hundreds of pounds in weight savings on an already lightweight car.

Pure Vision’s Martini Mustang is about pure speed, which is why it includes a Shelby rollbar, big Wilwood brakes, a Detroit Speed suspension, and one-off wheels. “The full suspension of this car is Detroit Speed’s brand new first generation Mustang parts and this is the first set to come off the production line,” said Harksell III. “The front is a Corvette style front suspension with a four-link rear.”

If you think this $350k+ car is going to sit around and look pretty, you’d be wrong. Pure Vision insisted that the owner will take this Mustang vintage road racing, so look for it at a track near you soon!