Clasiq Designer Series-Elia ‘Russ’ Russinoff

January 8, 2020 5 CommentsElia Russinoff, Videos

Classiq Designer Series—Featuring Elia ‘Russ’ Russinoff

From his early drawing of the Corvair under Ned Nickels, to his advanced futuristic designs in the Pontiac Advanced studio, Elia ‘Russ’ Russinoff is one of those designers who has been able to touch so many GM cars that spark joy when we see them. Russ was even a 1st Place Sr. National Winner in the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild Model Car Competition in 1949. In his retirement Elia still draws cars along with other ex-designers in the “League of Retired Automotive Designers.”.

Future videos in the series will feature Frank Pascoe, Vince Geraci, Bill Michalak, Wayne Kady, and Bill Porter.

Video Credits: Julie Hyde-Edwards and Robert Edwards for making the videos possible, Clasiq for producing the series. Sponsored by Farmers Insurance.

Published on Dean’s Garage by permission by Charlie Rubin, Clasiq COO and Founder.

Dean’s Garage, The Future is Back release: January, 2020.

GM Designer, Elia Russinoff

What do Automotive Designers Draw When They Retire?

Have you ever thought about doing the same job after you retire…just for fun? The league of Retired Automotive Designers is a group of ex-industry professionals who continue to design and re-imagine automobiles from defunct or closed car manufacturers and dream what they would look like built today.

What does GTO stand for?

John Delorean is credited with naming the Pontiac GTO, but where did the name GTO come from? Learn the origins of the name as well as what happened to Ed Cole the first time he presented the GTO.

5 Comments

January 9, 2020 at 6:28 am

DICK RUZZIN

Russ,

Always fun to talk to.
A great talent that we all could see, he was always congenial and open with a great sense of humor no matter who you were. He was very well liked by management and the rest of us admired him for that. He deserved to be as his creativity was unquestionable.

He loved rumors and you could always get some sense as to what was going on in the building when you talked with him. He made it a very fun endeavor. There were several themes that he drew every so often that were later realized by other companies. He knew what was coming, it just did not happen at GM at that time.

More than anything he is a great person, to have known him was to know one of the great designers at GM Design. His design sense is clearly visible in the video, his house looks wonderful.

Dick Ruzzin
January 9, 2020 at 6:57 am

John m. mellberg

Congratulations Russ,
Dick Ruzzin has said it well about you. It was great working with you and I learned so much about car design from you for which I’m forever grateful. Best wishes and thanks for knowing you across the years…
Your tire kickin friend, John M. Mellberg
January 9, 2020 at 7:36 am

Glen Durmisevich

Great interview Russ. I have always admired Russinoff because he was always looking towards the future. What was coming next in design and automobiles, which may have been 10 years out or more. He always created provocative forms and designs and still does.
January 9, 2020 at 12:53 pm

Nick

We meet in Pontiac studio 1962 and I left 1964 for leave of absence. Russinof in those days was ahead of the other designers in Pontiac but Mr. Mitchel would look at his sketches
For several minutes but never chose one. Russ had a lot of color in his work and it resembled French impressionist art. Like a Monet, Bill Mitchel would even look around to see if anyone was watching and would touch Russ’s work.

If anyone remembers that Roger Huget was Jack Humberts assistant then please go and visit Roger. He is in a nursing home just east of 12 Oaks Mall on the south side of 12 mile Road. Like all of us not much time left.

Russ was married to a wonderful woman who passed away and we used to get together at his home in Farmington Hills. Russ was kind enough to drive me home from work when I had sold my car and was waiting for my new one. We lived Five miles from Russes home.

Wednesday morning GM people meet at Panera Bread at thirteen mile road south side and Woodward just east of Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital. If you want to talk cars come and join Russ and the other retirees.
January 9, 2020 at 9:10 pm

Christopher Rhoades

Russ was a great mentor to me when I worked with him in 1985 in Ron Hill’s Advanced Aero Studio. Great memories working with Charlie Greafe and Hank Cramer as well in that studio. Thank you Russ for your kind words of encouragement. I’ve been with Mercedes-Benz Design for almost 34 years now, and you were a major part of me getting here.
Cheers,
Chris Rhoades, ACCD ’86

Leave Comment

Book is excellent reading. I like all the practical jokes that you played on each other. Haven’t put it down yet.

Paul Alflen
Gary, Just received your book and read part of it, and can’t wait to finish it! EXCELLENT BOOK WOW! Thanks!

Carl Kofron
It’s a book whose pages you’ll return to again and again…sometimes just to look, other times to read and learn and to laugh!

Helen Hutchings
It brought back so many memories. The book captures some of the antics that took place. I recommend Gary’s book for anyone that has an interest to get a glimpse of an era long gone.

John Manoogian II
Very impressed with the emphasis on the “people stories.” Most people think of GM in terms of the cars, whereas you focused on the designers that created the cars. Congratulations on your excellent and personable narrative.

Roy Lonberger
Great book! It will provide many hours of interesting reading. Thank you for writing and publishing it!

Charles Pieier
All the wonderful anecdotes and photos bring laughter and smiles of recollection of the years at GM Design. The other content is equally entertaining, too! One can keep returning to its pages, finding a new topic of interest each time.

George Camp
Gary’s book focuses on the people who drove designs and events at GM Design. It is always informative, sometimes funny and sometimes sad. Picture are breathtaking. Extremely well done.

James Rice
Thank you Gary for this wonderful publication vicariously delivering the human condition nectar recalled from the good old days at GM Design.

Bill Boudreau
Closest thing to an actual time machine I have experienced! The photos, quotes and artwork really transported me back to what was a fabulous time at GM Design.

Len Casillo
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed The Future is Back. Great stories and wonderful comments! Excellent selection of illustrations and photos!

Peter Brock
The book is providing lots of interesting reading along with so many great photos, illustrations and renderings.

Sheldon Payne
It’s like going to a family reunion and meeting all your old friends, the studios and the models all over again. I can almost smell the fresh clay reading your book.

Ron Will
Reading the stories and anecdotes of designers who shared their experiences in this book allowed me to vicariously imagine what it would have actually been like to have worked in a studio. Thumbs Up Gary!!

Steve Sicklick
Great book Gary. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane!

Dennis Burke
I’ve enjoyed the Dean’s Garage book. I know a lot of the designers and places you mention; it’s like a reunion or old-home week.Thank you very much for putting everything together in such a beautifully organized, fun, illuminating way.

Michael Lamm