The wooden supercar
The Splinter at the Essen Motor Show.
General
Wheelbase: 105.0in
Length: 174.5in
Width: 86.0in
Front F/R: 70.0in/69in
Height: 42.0in
Ground clearance: 3.5in
Fuel capacity: 15gal
Engine
Type: small block V8, aluminium block and heads, forged steel crankshaft, forged titanium connecting rods
Displacement: 427cu in (7.0L)
Bore X Stroke in: 4.125 X 4.000
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Redline: 7000rpm
Fuel: premium unleaded 93 octane
Intake: 8 X 1.875in individual throttle bodies
Exhaust: 180-degree crossflow headers, dual 3in stainless mufflers
Drivetrain
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Final drive ratio: 3.42:1
Differential: clutch-type limited slip
Chassis & Body
Layout: mid-engine, rear drive
Chassis: laminated wood veneer monocoque
Body: woven cherry skins, tesselated end-grain balsa core
Brakes:
F: 14.0in drilled, slotted, vented rotors with 6-piston calipers
R: 11.8in vented rotors with 2-piston calipers
Wheels: Custom 3-piece forged aluminium rims with laminated wood center sections
F: 19in X 10in
R: 20in X 13in
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 2
F: 265/35ZR19
R: 335/ 30ZR20
Steering: 12:1 rack-and-pinion, multi-piece wood tie rods
Front suspension: Unequal length upper and lower laminated wood A-arms with height adjustable air-bag springs and adjustable schocks
Rear suspension: 5-link independent, custom aluminium uprights, height adjustable air-bag springs and adjustable shocks
Background
The Splinter supercar started as a graduate school project at North Carolina State University. Fueled by a lifelong desire to design and build his own car and inspired by the all-wood construction of the deHavilland Mosquito, Joe Harmon spent roughly 5 years working on the Splinter with the help of many others. The goal was to use wood in the construction of the car in every possible application, with hopes that the challenges associated with the task would lead to new ideas and new perceptions of wood.
© Dennis Matthies
My photographs are copyrighted and may not be altered, printed, published in any media and/or format, or re-posted in other websites/blogs.
The wooden supercar
The Splinter at the Essen Motor Show.
General
Wheelbase: 105.0in
Length: 174.5in
Width: 86.0in
Front F/R: 70.0in/69in
Height: 42.0in
Ground clearance: 3.5in
Fuel capacity: 15gal
Engine
Type: small block V8, aluminium block and heads, forged steel crankshaft, forged titanium connecting rods
Displacement: 427cu in (7.0L)
Bore X Stroke in: 4.125 X 4.000
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Redline: 7000rpm
Fuel: premium unleaded 93 octane
Intake: 8 X 1.875in individual throttle bodies
Exhaust: 180-degree crossflow headers, dual 3in stainless mufflers
Drivetrain
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Final drive ratio: 3.42:1
Differential: clutch-type limited slip
Chassis & Body
Layout: mid-engine, rear drive
Chassis: laminated wood veneer monocoque
Body: woven cherry skins, tesselated end-grain balsa core
Brakes:
F: 14.0in drilled, slotted, vented rotors with 6-piston calipers
R: 11.8in vented rotors with 2-piston calipers
Wheels: Custom 3-piece forged aluminium rims with laminated wood center sections
F: 19in X 10in
R: 20in X 13in
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 2
F: 265/35ZR19
R: 335/ 30ZR20
Steering: 12:1 rack-and-pinion, multi-piece wood tie rods
Front suspension: Unequal length upper and lower laminated wood A-arms with height adjustable air-bag springs and adjustable schocks
Rear suspension: 5-link independent, custom aluminium uprights, height adjustable air-bag springs and adjustable shocks
Background
The Splinter supercar started as a graduate school project at North Carolina State University. Fueled by a lifelong desire to design and build his own car and inspired by the all-wood construction of the deHavilland Mosquito, Joe Harmon spent roughly 5 years working on the Splinter with the help of many others. The goal was to use wood in the construction of the car in every possible application, with hopes that the challenges associated with the task would lead to new ideas and new perceptions of wood.
© Dennis Matthies
My photographs are copyrighted and may not be altered, printed, published in any media and/or format, or re-posted in other websites/blogs.