Owners
Tom Senter
Tom Senter, a well known engine builder and Dry Lakes Hall of Famer, purchased the promotional car from BF Goodrich in 1972. Tom paid $1,700 for it and knew it had a blown HO455. With his connections as an editor for Popular Hot Rodding, he wanted to install the new Super Duty 455. However, he was unable to obtain one so he decided to build the first pro-touring car by installing an LS6 454 from Berger Chevrolet and repaint it Ferrari Fly Yellow. The car had only 16,000 miles when he purchased it. This swap was featured in several car magazines (see below). Unfortunately, Tom passed away of cancer in the 1970's. After Tom died, the Tirebird was briefly owned for a couple of years by Tom's close friend before it was sold to a Fresno real estate agent who took out the M21 and installed a Turbo 400 so his daughter could drive it to high school. After a year or so, he sold the car to Fresno area almond farmer, Tom Gejeian, in 1983 who drove it sparingly.
John Motroni
In 2004, John Motroni saw the car advertised in Good Guys magazine by Tom Gejeian. The ad stated that a ’71 Trans Am with “L56” engine was for sale. Knowing that looked odd, John called only to find out it was in fact the Tirebird with a Berger LS-6 engine (450 hp) that was featured in several car magazines and known as the Trans Rat. Gejeian was able to supply John with copies of all the car’s magazine articles and other documents. John mechanically rebuilt the engine, brakes and suspension. He replaced the fading and chipping 1972 yellow paint job with dark blue metallic and meticulously cared for and maintained the car selling it in 2017 to Bruce Johnson.
Bruce Johnson
In 2017, Bruce Johnson, a Trans Am enthusiast, was looking through online auctions and noticed a dark blue 1971 Trans Am for sale in California. The ad was so compelling and so well written that Bruce realized this had to be the car that he saw in car magazines as a kid. He placed a high bid and won the car. Subsequent discussions with John Motroni revealed the complete and documented history of the car and what kind of impact it had on so many people. Bruce carefully collected all the information passed on by John and began contacting Doug Innes, Landspeed Louise, Guerin Senter, John Baeke, Rolf Fuhrer and Rick Titus to bring the car back to its original livery while maintaining its drivetrain heritage.