Splinter - The World's First Wooden Supercar | RIDICULOUS RIDES

THE WORLD’S only wooden supercar, known as the "Splinter”, is a high-performance sports car that is estimated to be 90% wood. Fuelled by a lifelong desire to design and build his own car and inspired by a WWII airplane called the de Havilland Mosquito, designer and builder, Joe Harmon, from Mooresville, North Carolina, spent roughly nine years working on the Splinter with the help of his team. The Splinter began as a graduate school project at North Carolina State University and has continued since. Joe said that the goal was to use wood in the construction of the car in every possible application - wood is our only naturally renewable building material, it is biodegradable and takes a small amount of energy to produce. Also, according to Joe, wood has a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel and aluminium. Every wooden part of the Splinter is made from composite construction. Even though the car is not comfortable and may be impractical, Joe said that the goal in creating this car was to explore new ideas and perceptions of wood.

Videographer / Director: Christopher Brown
Producer: Frazer Randalls, Rafaela Kuznec
Editor: Ian Phillips

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[NikoZSkis]

I would've built the chassis out of morning wood, nothing's stronger

[choo_choo_]

Normal cars have crumple zones, this one? Splinter zones.

[Wuzzup]

I've seen this car in person during a trip from my hometown to Greensboro. It was a sight to behold, to say the least.

[jordan]

Imagine building a car for 9 years and have never gone over 30 in it.

[CurrentlyVictor]

Well, it’s time to get Doug DeMero on this

[shitleshyadav]

Much respect for this guy and to everyone who supported him❤️ i really hope he gets more fame & recognition, he deserves it!

[ringrulepigs]

It's beautiful!!!


O to 60 in 2.3 seasons.

[thegreatandpowerfulfloops]

Dam wouldn’t want to get in a crash in that

[marktopian]

I don't know many people who wood buy this car, but my buddy plywood.🤜🤛👏👏👏👏

[Neil-Aspinall]

God damn that thing looks cool and original. They should make regular ones.

[jaywalker]

Mokujin from tekken wants to buy ur car lol. But seriously this is where art meets science and engineering at its purest form. truly a beautiful and amazing creation.

[YusufPetersenCPT]

I see some GT90 from NFS 2 in it.. this thing in metal would be so cool!

[dancinbojangles]

MORGAN MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS CLAIM

[bravofoxable]

Incredible job Joe. Composite or laminate wood is very very strong and resilient. Congratulations on a job very well done, from an engineering standpoint as well as aesthetics. It is truly a work of art 👍🏻

[bmobmo]

That ‘s a valuable unique great peace of American art, definitely belongs in a museum one day, would love to see it in person .🤩🤩🤩🤩

[Tonyclifton-qf]

Joe you sir are an artist in its purest form, im blown away, love love love it

[drekfletch]

It's so cool to see the car in action. I followed Joe's blog back when he was doing most of the work, before life put a pause on the initial progress.

[paulanthony]

"Yes there are very good reasons why cars arent made of wood but lets go ahead and build one anyway

[beingaware]

I was with you until I saw the interior. Looks like a 10 year olds canoe project on the inside. But the outside is gorgeous.

[marktopian]

Dang that thing is cherry! Would look great in ebony but right now its OAKay. I don't know many people who wood buy that car, but my buddy plywood.