Now here’s what I call Renewable ENERGY! - Run Forrest, Run!
Splinter, the high-performance wooden supercar
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Splinter was conceived, designed, and built by North Carolina State University graduate student Joe Harmon and his talented team in Joe's backyard shop in Durham, North Carolina. Talking to Joe, you get the impression that he has heard the skeptical termite taunts and canoe comparisons before. And that he understands the best way to disarm critics is with his half-smile and a just-the-facts recitation of his creation's statistics. (See stats, next slide.) With an estimated weight slightly greater than a Cooper Mini and a projected top speed faster than a Porsche, Ferrari, or Lamborghini, this car will fly. And aside from the engine, transaxle, and a few connecting parts, the car is made completely of wood.
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Engine: 700-hp, highly customized, twin super-charged, quad intercooled Cadillac Northstar V8 with reversed cylinder heads and custom exhaust
Drivetrain: 6-speed manual Corvette transaxle
Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Chassis: Monocoque (integrated chassis and body) design
Projected Weight: 2,500 lbs
Projected Top Speed: Greater than 200 mph
Wheelbase: 105"
Length: 174 1/2"
Width: 82"
Height: 42"
Ground Clearance: 3 1/2"
Parts made of wood: Chassis, superstructure, body, interior panels, wheels, steering wheel, and much of the front and rear suspension—pretty much everything.
The build team consisted of: Joe Hunt, Brownie, Joe Harmon, Caroline Sulatycki, Aaron Nace, Zac deBethizy, Ben Bruzga, Luke Jenkins and Kendal Draper