Comments on: GM Studio Group Photos

By: Connie Smith

Connie Smith — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:21:35 +0000

Worked at Design in the 70s.
I am looking to locate Carol Perilli; has anyone kept in contact with her?
I have seen a picture of her from 1991.
Also looking for Jan Tribbey and Barbara Munger.

To address one of the comments: I worked with Marv Fisher for a short time in the early 70s. I understand that he had just married a divorcee with a young child and designed interiors. I was in an Advanced Studio and at that time Marv was travelling between different studios.

By: Ken Trumble

Ken Trumble — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:21:55 +0000

Responding to the Sept 18, 2009 inquiry, Oliver Winterbottom came to GM and was stationed at SVA (Specialty Vehicle Activity). SVA was a small project house run by Gerry Mahoney and we oversaw outsourced vehicle builds to C&C, ASC, Auto Fab, Hess and Eisenhart, etc. This was in the 1985 timeframe and Oliver was enlisted as a project manager in that activity. I worked with Oliver on several projects in SVA, one being the Olds Touring Sedan based of the Olds “C” car which is probably why you recall him in the Olds Studio. Oliver was quite a “personality.”

By: john manoogian

john manoogian — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:29:07 +0000

Gary,

Wow, what great photos! I believe that is Glenn Durmisevich next to Mark Casmer, in the Eldorado photo.

The Oldsmobile photo was a great story. You’re correct in that it was done to NEVER let Tom Semple forget that he was actually taking his whole family on a BUS trip cross country, and was actually foolosh enough to tell us. I mocked up the “bus” frontend from two 4×8 pieces of foamcore, did the graphics, and attached it to the front of Tom’s desk. Needless to say we embaressed the heck out of him. Charlie Stewart recorded actual bus sounds and we were playing that over the loud speaker. We also put pictures of his children in a photo of a bus with the appropriate comments. Rod Weekley was wearing a bus driver hat, and we also mocked up some “tickets” for effect. All in all…a fun time was had by the whole studio.

By: Mike Lee

Mike Lee — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:09:21 +0000

I attended Art Center in 1965/66-ish and knew Marvin Fisher who, supposedly, went on to work in the Cadillac interior design department. Do you know Marvin, did you, and are there any photos of him that you’re aware of…perhaps in a group shot like the ones you have posted? Marvin was the only guy at Art Center I remember along with Clyde Foles (who went to Chrysler), Lars Andelin, Al Mar, and a couple of others. I went into commercial television (art director) and ended up seeing my work on national TV. Great fun.

By: Bruce Brooks

Bruce Brooks — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:17:02 +0000

Gary,
I’m not sure if anyone has responded to help identify any of the people with the ? on the photo lists. In the Cadillac Studio 1976 photo Mike Graye is to your right with the black shirt and David Jones is between Calvin and Graye with the blue Shirt. In the Olds One Studio 1986 photo David Kochanski is the tall one in the back and Dennis Hill is between Reed and Orava. Standing next to me in the Buick Studio early 80′s is Rick Drumsta. In the Joe the sweeper photo front row in the blue dress is Sue ( ? maiden name) that married Steve Pasteiner. I hope this helps.
Bruce Brooks

By: Gary Smith

Gary Smith — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:36:42 +0000

Sandy, there are a few more Olds studio photos published on several posts on Dean's Garage, but none that I can think of that included your dad. I've posted just about all of the studio photos I have. I know there are a lot of photos sitting around in boxes that would be very interesting to a lot of designers and are crying to be published. [Anyone who has anything that might be of interest to readers of Dean's Garage please email them to me. Ideally I'd like 1000 pixels across (or larger) at 72 dpi, but I'll take anything I can get. Include captions and stories if possible.] I'm pleased you are enjoying Dean's Garage. And I enjoyed knowing your dad.

By: Sandy Troia

Sandy Troia — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:37:26 +0000

I found your website by googling my dad’s name, Nello Tacconelli. I thoroughly enjoy the photos, cartoons, and memories you’ve shared on this site. Any chance you have more Oldsmobile Studio photos? I would love to see them and share them with my family. Your site is a great tribute to the way things used to be!

By: Gary Smith

Gary Smith — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:08:22 +0000

Thanks to Charlie Stewart and George Camp for their help in identifying people in the photos!—Gary

By: Gary Smith

Gary Smith — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:01:40 +0000

Wayne,

I have a GM Design Staff Directory from February, 1988 and his name isn’t listed. I left GM in April of 1988, so I probably missed him.

Gary

By: Wayne Barratt

Wayne Barratt — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:42:22 +0000

Hi Gary,

Can you remember an English designer, Oliver Winterbottom working in the Oldsmobile studio in the late 80′s early 90′s? I believe he came to work for GM via Lotus in England.

Thanks, Wayne

P.S. I find your website very interesting and informative.