In Mai Dong woodworking village, Phu Khe ward (Bac Ninh), 35-year-old Truong Van Dao creates remarkable wooden "supercars". His inspiration sparked in 2020 when he took his son to a park. Seeing his son's fascination with electric cars, Dao decided to build one himself. His first model, a wooden replica of a Ferrari, was entirely hand-powered.

With over 10 years of woodworking experience but no formal mechanical training, Dao gradually learned to design and build electric and gasoline-powered cars. He and his team start by brainstorming and designing car models on a computer. Once finalized, each team member is assigned different parts of the car to build.

“The design process used to be time-consuming, but AI technology has significantly sped things up,” Dao said.

Details like lights and mirrors are meticulously designed and positioned on the wood surface before carving.

Each car is equipped with a gear shift and steering wheel.

The frames and chassis are metal, covered with oak, ebony, and agarwood, preserving the wood's natural colors.

The headlight rims are hand-carved and accented with colored trim.

The interior of the wooden Mercedes G63, including the seats and steering wheel, took the team three months to complete. Built to a 1:1 scale using the engine and chassis of an old car, it was the most time-intensive project.

Dao's collection now boasts dozens of cars, housed in two warehouses. The electric models require regular charging and cleaning to prevent the wood from cracking due to seasonal climate changes.

Initially hand-powered, the cars now feature electric motors and intricate gear systems inspired by clockwork mechanisms for smoother operation.

Many of Dao's creations, such as the 6-wheeled Rolls-Royce, the Apple Car (pictured), and the off-road pickup truck, draw inspiration from famous car brands. Although primarily for display and performance, all are functional.

His latest pickup truck, designed with AI assistance for increased speed and precision, can travel about 30 km on a single charge.

A wooden-wheeled car with intricate gears is one of three pieces commissioned by a US customer for a museum. Its unique feature is the front gear system, entirely made of wood and moving synchronously, creating a sci-fi movie effect.

Dao plans to expand his collection to about 50 models, including a large-scale piece showcasing Vietnamese culture. “I want to preserve traditional craftsmanship while fostering innovation in the modern era,” he shared.

Hoang Giang