Nerd alert: what is "lacewood" as used in MS?
Lacewood may refer to the Proteacean Cardwellia sublimis from Queensland, or the American (eastern) Sycamore Platanus occidentalis when quarter sawn. Second, does Tesla use actual wood/veneer, or is it some sort of molded plastic/foil? There are some indications that the look varies between cars, which suggests actual wood/veneer, but may also be due to different supplier of plastic/foil being used.
I thought it was grevillea robusta. Or Australian silky oak.
dborn: thanks for the pointer, most fascinating. The confusion apparently runs deeper; see
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/lacewood,%20australian.htm
and
http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/_discussion_sycamore.htm
Apparently the most *likely* "lacewood" in the US is Roupala brasiliense also a proteacean, but from South America (also Gondwana, of course, so makes biogeographic sense).
Would be interesting to know what it is in the Tesla. Confirms yet again that common names are just confusing, Linnean binominals are so much superior.
OK, Inverts, count me in as totally confused. I live in Sydney Australia and actually have a Grevillea robusta growing in my yard. I am an amateur woodturner, and have never heard of Cardwellia. Also, from the photos in your second link, the wood i turn, (and have a stock of in my garage) is more pink in colour similar to Cardwellia. The timber is very pink when first worked but darkens to a red-brown over a couple of years or so. The grain pattern or "lace" effect depends hugely on how it is cut. That is, whether quarter sawn or just planked, and again whether closer to the pith or the bark. In any event, the timber used in the S is stained black (unfortunately) so I won't be going with that, as I much prefer natural, and am happy even if it naturally changes colour, which it does. Tesla could simply have indicated that the timber will change colour and leave it to the customers to decide whether or not they wish to accept the fact.
Got a final confirmation from Tesla people at the Topanga showroom. Lacewood is same as American Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis. It is harvested from new growth trees, so quite environmentally friendly.
Hmm, I assumed it was petroleum plasticum.
@dborn,
My Model S has Lacewood. I can barely tell it is wood, and the texture did not look much like lace, or the sample I viewed at the showroom. It is ok. I loved Australia from my only visit 20 years ago btw, and l love high quality wood work. Do you have pictures of what you make? The colors you describe sound intriguing.
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