While you wouldn't guess to look at it, the Splinter is actually able to speed along at a blistering 240mph using a 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine and a six-speed transmission gearbox. Measuring 4.6-metres in length, the two-seater motor is made entirely from maple, MPF and plywood - apart from the wheels, of course. To stiffen the chassis and protect the driver a roll-cage is used, while suspension is provided through laminated wooden arms and springs made from osage orange wood. Weighing 1,134kg - 240kg less than a lightweight Porsche - the Splinter is set to hit the tarmac later this year. Designer Joe Harmon said: "Wood has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum or steel, and it possesses a versatility that makes many types of construction techniques possible. The satisfaction in making something from a piece of wood is awesome". Indeed, a sentiment no doubt echoed by Gepetto, Pinocchio's white-haired designer.
www.joeharmondesign.com / Images: Joe Harmon Design