When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
It is with my deepest regret to inform everyone here on the forum that Tom Russo, the prolific Corvette writer, passed away this morning. His avatar on here was "hunt4cleanair".
Tom has two 1978's and a C-5. He was a dear friend of mine here in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was an NCRS judge and basically rewrote the C-2 and C-3 judging manuals for the NCRS very recently.
He was basically my main friend here and will be greatly missed. Lou Palfy
He was always generous to share his knowledge whenever I had a question. I will share something about his " Hunt for clean air" monicker. When I first met him I asked how he came up with it. I thought it had to do with our hobby, clean cold air making more power...But he told me that was not it. He was a sailer at one point in his life and hunting for clean air was a term that was used to find a good wind to sail in. Always looking for a good strong breeze going in his direction. Hunting for clean air. I think he finally found it. He will be missed.
Hello,
This is very sad to read.
We've lost a man with VAST knowledge and a true gentleman.
We are reminded that the clock is ticking down for many of us!!
"Ask not for whom the bell tolls.......".
Regards....
He was always generous to share his knowledge whenever I had a question. I will share something about his " Hunt for clean air" monicker. When I first met him I asked how he came up with it. I thought it had to do with our hobby, clean cold air making more power...But he told me that was not it. He was a sailer at one point in his life and hunting for clean air was a term that was used to find a good wind to sail in. Always looking for a good strong breeze going in his direction. Hunting for clean air. I think he finally found it. He will be missed.
He was always generous to share his knowledge whenever I had a question. I will share something about his " Hunt for clean air" monicker. When I first met him I asked how he came up with it. I thought it had to do with our hobby, clean cold air making more power...But he told me that was not it. He was a sailer at one point in his life and hunting for clean air was a term that was used to find a good wind to sail in. Always looking for a good strong breeze going in his direction. Hunting for clean air. I think he finally found it. He will be missed.
I always wondered what the name meant as well, great story and thanks for sharing that.
Very, very sorry to hear this. I’ve known Tom for a very long time… Met him through the NCRS and had a VERY memorable road tour with him to the NCRS National event in Collinsville, IL with myself, Tom, Duane R., and Bil F. (who, unfortunately, has also passed away) way back in 1998. We always had our joke about two and three pedal cars and which was better. He was VERY knowledgeable about Corvettes, especially the later C3s, but was always very humble about that knowledge that you didn’t realize it until you started talking cars with him. I’m very sad to see that he has passed.
this is definitely sad to hear. ive folllwed his threads from my first days here on the forum because of course his knowledge was very helpful to me with my 79. My condolences to his family and all that knew him
I first met Tom in 2020 when he guided the NCRS 1975-1977 TIM&JG revision team, of which I was a member. As an engineer by education, I thought I was a decent technical writer, but Tom took my writing skills to the next level. In the past I have had many of my photographs published in books, magazines, calendars, and pamphlets. Tom guided my photography skills to the next level in the TIM&JG. He was always willing to coach you to improve you and your skills. Tom, you will be missed. RIP.
I’m also very sad at Tom’s passing. I became friends with Tom working first on the 73-74 NCRS judging manual revision team after he recruited me. After we finished that one he asked if I would help him and join the revision team for the 75-77 Manual. As Guy mentioned above Tom was a stickler for quality photographs to be used for the manuals as well as making sure the information we included in the manuals was as accurate as humanly possible always stressing originality! He was a great writer and one of the best “wordsmiths” I knew. He always encouraged me to share my 73 knowledge by writing several technical articles and submit them to be published in the NCRS RESTORER magazine. A great guy,educator, award winning author and a good friend to all who knew him! Rest in peace my friend, I’ll certainly miss talking with you about Corvettes and family.
Jimmy
Met Tom about 10 years ago when he stopped off at my house on the way to Bloomington Gold in Chicago to see my PaceCar 0009.
Took many pictures and answered many questions.
Sent me excerpts from the book he was doing with several detail pics of 0009.
In the years since he would often send me excerpts from other of his writings for my opinion(what could I possibly add?), most recently this past February.
I didnt hear back from him, figured he was busy.
Sorry to hear of his passing. My sympathy to his family.
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Sorry to hear this, though I never met Tom in person, I did have the great pleasure of chatting on the phone with him several times regarding the many quirky & odd 68 only parts / designs. A walking encyclopedia of Corvette knowledge & a true gentleman that will be sorely missed !! The NCRS Judging manuals will NEVER be the same without you!! Rest In Pease Tom.
Sad to hear. Didn't know Tom so well; although through the years, we'd met many times at various car shows at Myrtle Beach, Conway and Florence SC. Always the gentleman !
Very sad to hear.
Thankful to have communicated Tom. Was so helpful to me and his knowledge and teaching.
a true historian.
Prayers for him and his family.
Last edited by interpon; Jun 22, 2026 at 08:52 PM.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I am sorry to read this sad news. I never met Tom, but read his posts and articles with interest. I first came across him while I was involved with the NCRS UK Chapter. He had a great depth of knowledge about "my" year car, the 1978, and we corresponded a little over the years. He will be a great loss to this community.
Oh wow. That is indeed sad news. Tom befriended me when I started the post on refurbing my 78 Pacecar. Helped me a lot. Talked me into joining NCRS and contributed what I could to the 78-79 revision he was working on. I shall miss him.
Now makes sense why I wasn't getting responses to emails I sent him the last couple of weeks. The C3 community has lost a good person. RIP Tom.
RickM
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
About hunt4cleanair
