Wooden car claims top speed of 240 mph

(Credit: Fareastgizmos)

Apparently there's some worthwhile science in those Soap Box Derby cars we had to make in the Cub Scouts after all. North Carolina-based Joe Harmon Design has created "the world's first wooden supercar," which can reportedly reach speeds of 240 miles per hour.

The 15-foot-long "Splinter" has a 4.6-liter V8 engine and is made from maple, plywood, and fiberboard, according to Fareastgizmos. The the key to its speed advantage over metal cars is weight, according to its owners: It tips the scales at 2,500 pounds, they say, nearly 530 pounds less than a Porsche 911 GT3.

The six-speed Splinter, which supposedly gets decent gas mileage for a race car (up to 20 miles per gallon), is scheduled to roll out this year at an undisclosed price. Depending on how well it does, maybe a future Prius made out of bamboo isn't as crazy as it sounds.

[MadLyb]

Crazy Sweet

The whole idea is just insane. I can deal with the body panels being made of 'wood', but the actual frame and even the wheels?!

Forget rust, think termites.

;^)

[Glacticus]

A good positive step for industrial bio-mass?

If we can build car frames out of 'wood' which I take to mean fibers bound by ecologically friendly binders, Yippeeee! If we're cutting down trees for the purpose, Booooo! Maybe this car will make the mining of landfills even more profitable...all that newspaper cellulose goodness down there, just waiting to be made into spiffy roadsters!

[ooBdoo]

Wooden Car

Wooden car, wooden engine.....wooden go! :-)

[jajj04]

I have been wood working as a hobby for many years now. I saw your car for the first time today and I bookmarked it so I can keep up with your progress. My hat is off to you, your car is the coolest thing I've ever seen. Good luck to you in your venture.