Quote :

"When graduate student Joe Harmon decided to design and build a concept car for his graduate project in industrial design, he opted to follow the supercar formula – creating a high-performance sports car that could compete with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti. To make the project even more challenging, Harmon is crafting the supercharged two-seater almost entirely out of wood. "I want to show that you can make something really fast and really strong out of wood and that wood isn't an old and antiquated low-technology material," Harmon says. "Wood has its pros and cons, just like every other material does." Harmon is building the car from thin sheets of wood veneer. The car – dubbed "the Splinter" – will make its debut at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta on Aug. 20. Until then, Harmon and a team of friends, neighbors and students are working in a garage behind Harmon's Durham home, building the car from the ground up."

Quote :

" At 2,500 lbs., the car is about the same weight as a Mini-Cooper – but a lot faster. Harmon estimates it will be capable of hitting between 220 and 240 miles per hour. But he isn't just concerned with raw power. "

Article http://ncsu.edu/newsletter/archive/2008/05/wooden-car.php
Website http://www.joeharmondesign.com/

Interesting concept, but I would be hesitant to say practical.

5/1/2008 12:28:18 PM

Brings a new meaning to "never driven in the rain, always garaged..."

lol.. Be a bitch if the engine caught fire.... Very interesting though. I give him props...

5/1/2008 12:34:57 PM

there was something about this a while ago. or something about a car at NCSU that all of us ragged on

5/1/2008 12:41:43 PM

it was probably this, I know I've seen a thread made a long time ago about it. Its interesting to go look at the pictures, they're still working on it.

5/1/2008 1:05:09 PM

/message_topic.aspx?topic=488920
One of the originals

I'm more interested in the power plant and what he was gonna try to use to get to 240 mph in that thing. I was thinking with such a light car, the suspension/aerodynamics better be good to not to go unstable and wipe out going that fast.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66898206@N00/sets/72157594434109126/

5/1/2008 1:29:49 PM

Body repair would be cheap! Just go to lowes/home depot for body parts..

[Edited on May 1, 2008 at 1:53 PM. Reason : .]

5/1/2008 1:52:55 PM

Quote :

"twin superchargers"

what?

5/1/2008 2:25:22 PM

look at the flickr link and read the intro paragraph, they reversed the intake/exhaust flow.

5/1/2008 2:50:49 PM

^^ its not that hard the are a few cars and a ton of boats with twin superchargers.....

5/1/2008 3:13:49 PM

yep, this thing is getting pretty close to finished. Debuts in just a few months

damn thing is beautiful, and I can't wait to go check out the progress when I'm back in NC in a few weeks

5/1/2008 4:25:29 PM

I've seen pics of the molds he's using to build it and it looks pretty impressive. I have a few friends in ID that are always talking about this car.

5/1/2008 6:26:19 PM

is there no rear suspension?

[Edited on May 1, 2008 at 7:13 PM. Reason : and positioning the driver's legs between the front A-arms makes me a little uneasy]

[Edited on May 1, 2008 at 7:13 PM. Reason : still looks like great execution overal]

5/1/2008 7:05:11 PM

how much $

[Edited on May 4, 2008 at 10:09 AM. Reason : will it be as good as an ascari?]

5/4/2008 10:08:45 AM

meh, the process is really pretty much very similar with using textile products and resin.

5/4/2008 10:49:25 AM

im gonna go ahead and call that a death trap..


plus without some complicated aerodynamics (which i dont see on that car) its wing shape could cause...an interesting result

[Edited on May 5, 2008 at 3:22 PM. Reason : dd]

5/5/2008 3:21:54 PM

I bet its twin supercharged to actually cut down on piping ..i think its a reverse running engine (exhaust out the middle intakes on the side) so if its running screw or positive displacement superchargers it would need all kinds of piping to do a single one...

5/5/2008 3:33:27 PM

Quote :

"meh, the process is really pretty much very similar with using textile products and resin."

No, actually its not at all.

And, this is a concept show car. It won't be put up for sale, won't go into production, and won't be registered. Not intended to break records on the track, but to show the extreme capabilities of wood as a material and it's design possibilities.

5/5/2008 4:07:40 PM

Quote :

"plus without some complicated aerodynamics (which i dont see on that car) its wing shape could cause...an interesting result"

Joe is working with a retired aerospace engineer throughout the project. I can guarantee it will be aero stable, and it won't blow up.

5/5/2008 4:12:04 PM

^^

Quote :

"As for the car itself, Harmon may eventually put the Splinter on the auction block."

[Edited on May 5, 2008 at 4:13 PM. Reason : too quick]

5/5/2008 4:13:00 PM

Yeah, he's been waffling back and forth on that. My point was, he didn't build it to make $$$, and won't be building any more.

5/5/2008 4:27:39 PM