Gary "Ollie" Russeth has had a life-long love for cars and the art of design they hold. This love became apparent in the first car models he carved at the age of thirteen, and he has continued in artistic endeavors throughout the years.
A Tribute to Henry, Stan & Ollie
A Tribute to Henry, Stan & Ollie is a full size sculpture of a 1919 Model “T” Ford touring car. Hand made parts carved mainly out of wood and a life size soft sculpture of “The Boys,” bring back memories of the slap stick this comedy duo was famous for. The 1926 license plate represents the year Laurel & Hardy first teamed up. The 1926 two reel movie “Forty Five Minutes from Hollywood,” headed a streak of nearly 100 films for comedy team. The 1919 Ford touring car represents the age and style of cars driven by Laurel & Hardy in their many movies.
The 1919 Model “T” sculpture is quite elaborate in itself. For example a realistic crank starts the motor when a dash board switch is turned on and the sculpture boasts a roaring engine sound with the aid of an internal electric motor. Look closely through the blades of the radiator when the engine is running and you will see the spinning fan blade. Head, tail and side lights may also be lit when the motor is running. The working, two man fold down top, steering and realistic sounding horn brings out additional charm to this fme sculpture of yesteryear.
1910 Studebaker Electric
This wood sculpture of a 1910 Studebaker electric motor car was a two-year undertaking. Note the wood tires, side and tail lanterns, chains and gears. This full-size model weighs approximately 300 pounds and has an aluminum support structure. It has working doors, hoods, steering, wheels and windows.
History: The coups, with what is called “phone booth” or “china closet” styling, were similar to a hardtop car of today but actually had a soft top. The steering method was accomplished by means of a side lever or tiller bar. Unique for the time, was this special fifty-volt, thirty-ampere electric motor with twenty-eight cell batteries, arranged in three trays. The batteries were divided: part was carried in front and part in the rear of the vehicle. The average mileage per charge with two passengers on hard, level streets was forty miles, and speeds from three to thirteen miles per hour could be reached. Also, at that time, Studebaker had offered gasoline cars.
"Ollie" chose this model, the Studebaker electric, because of its exceptional look and included the Little Grandmother in her Sunday best with fresh flowers in the hanging vase as an image of the times.
A Tribute to an American Genius: Henry Ford 1903 Model A Ford
This full-size sculpture of a 1903 Model A Ford, composed primarily of wood, was built by Gary 0. Russeth in 1997. Initial planning began in 1996 after some basic information was received from the Henry Ford Museum and the Green Village research center of Dearborn, MI, and from Leonard Votroubek of Cedar Rapids, IA. Completed, the car stands as over 2,000 hand-sculpted parts.
Facts: > The Model A Ford has a 2-cylinder, opposed, underseat engine of only 8 FIP. > This car (along with the 1903 Cadillac which Henry Ford had designed earlier) was the first in America to have a steering wheel instead of a tiller bar. > In 1903, 1708 Model A Ford’s were made one at a time; assembly lines came a few years later. > Two engines were offered, 8 HP or 10 HP, which could reach speeds of thirty miles per hour. This was fast for a vehicle similar to a buggy!
1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile
Created between 2005-2007, the motivation behind the 1902 curved dash Oldsmobile was to complete the seven cars and the first of four additional frames. This car was displayed at the car show at the Depot in Thompson, GA.
1908 Maxwell
Varnished instead of painted, this car shows off its wood origins. This sculpture was completed in 2008 and was displayed at the Morris Museum in Augusta, GA in 2012.
1907 Buick G Ebony and Ivory
Completed during 2008-2009, this rare Buick with a rounded back end was inspired by Gary's parents, who had a black and white 1957 Buick. It is on display at the Ollie Also and Stanie Too Fine Mess Old Car Museum of Harlem, Georgia.
The Stanley Steamer
Completed between 2009-2011, this was the last of seven because of its uniqueness. The Stanley Steamer has a different kind of motor: a steam motor. This completed Gary's goal of different cars, colors, motors, years, well-known car manufacturers. It too is on display at the Ollie Also and Stanie Too Fine Mess Old Car Museum of Harlem, Georgia.