Tallassee man brings old cars back to life
allassee native Thurman Parker has always loved cars – whether he was building, driving, selling or admiring them – automobiles have been Parker’s passion.
After high school, Parker worked for The Tallassee Mill for a few years and always had an aptitude for fixing things. While, he made a decent living working there, Parker always had a dream of owning his own automobile business.
He worked at a Ford Dealer for about four years, until that dream came true in 1971, and Parker had the opportunity to open his own business, T Parker Auto Sales, where he spent the next 40 years selling used cars.
“With being a new business it was hard to get things going. So, during the course of selling cars, I found different ways to make them sell better,” said Parker.
He discovered that transforming some car models through aesthetics or different parts added novelty. He sometimes added a two-tone paint scheme or simply changed the tires and wheels for a fresh look.
“Over the years in business, we would have the opportunity to find a nice, clean old car to take and refurbish. I always enjoyed doing something different that had not been done before,” Parker added.
This hobby and skill is what inspired Parker to begin restoring and rebuilding everything he could get his hands on from golf carts, tractors, cars and pickup trucks.
After he retired from his auto sales business in 2013, there was even more time available for this hobby. Parker has a shop at home where he has lived his entire life.
“One of the great things about having a hobby like this is working on projects with family and friends. I have a lot of great memories that have been made during both work or play,” said Parker.
His favorite restored he has done was a 1963 Falcon convertible. This car was built for his wife Mary of 56 years. With its sleek design and updated outfitting, this vehicle has won many awards at car shows across the Southeast and always seems to turn heads, said Parker.
Some vehicles that Parker works on are considered restored, while others would be deemed restomod, or essentially putting modern cars into old bodies to retain the vintage appeal but modernize the system.
“I did something exactly what I dreamed of doing, and it’s been a lot of fun. I’m proud to say I have not missed out on a whole lot in my life,” Parker said.
Every time he finished work on a car, Parker asserts it will be his last.
Until he sees his next project …
