We are all used to seeing sleek, shiny cars zooming by day in and day out. Maybe it’s time we would have to get used to stolid wooden cars whooshing down the roads as well. Joe Harmon, aged 27, undertook this innovative project with other students at North Carolina State University, endeavoring to carve out a performance car out of wood. And the result of a whole lot of toil is the wooden supercar, The Splinter. So what inspired the making of this unique vehicle? According to the chief designer, the higher strength-to-weight ratio of wood as compared to aluminum or steel makes it a convenient and interesting material to work with. Moreover, the versatility of wood allows the flexibility of experimentation and the incorporation of varied techniques and designs. He adds that the look, smell and feel of genuine wood make it a wonderful and satisfying feeling to work with. Satisfied and excited though he is of his work, Mr.Hermon is painfully aware that his creation probably wouldn’t end up being a rage in the market, and appeal to, at the most, a few customers.

He is even aware of the cause behind the doubtful commercial outcome of The Splinter. Wood, with all its advantages, is prone to burns, cracks and splinters. Add to it the untested safety issues. The result: fewer customers. However, the features of the car is still under the wraps. All we know is that the car would be capable of speeds in excess of 240mph. The project is expected to be complete by the latter part of 2008. An innovative idea no doubt. But where would the wood required to manufacture the car come from? Do more forests go to make them? If so, I doubt the suitability of the idea at this vital time of preserving nature.

via Ananova