Good Time Charlie: How Parker Cannon’s 1965 GTO Became Powerhouse Street Car

For Parker Cannon, cars have always been more than just a way to get from point A to point B, they’re part of his DNA. Growing up around the car business thanks to his dad, Parker was destined to be a car guy long before he ever hit the strip. It all started with a missed opportunity. At 15, Parker’s dad wanted him to check out a Mazda MX-6. By the time he arrived, the car had already been sold. That twist of fate landed him behind the wheel of a 1994 V6 Chevrolet Camaro instead.

“From there, it just spiraled,” he laughs. Since then, Parker has owned an impressive lineup: multiple Camaros, two NASCARs, a Viper, a Corvette, a ’69 Charger, a 1983 Hurst Olds, and a fleet of LS-swapped builds. But the crown jewel of his collection is his 1965 Pontiac GTO, his “forever car”. This is a machine that blends street power with the kind of character you simply can’t buy at a dealership anymore.

The journey to “Good Time Charlie” began in November 2021 with a call from Justin Baltimore at Art and Speed. Parker had just sold his ’06 GTO when Justin reached out, telling him he had something special for him to see. “He told me it had been in storage for years,” Parker says. “But he wouldn’t tell me what it was.” Waiting for him was a 1965 Pontiac GTO. It needed work to become the machine it is today, but that didn’t intimidate him, he embraced the challenge.

Instead of sending the car out, Parker and a close group of friends tackled the build themselves. Over the course of two months and more than 185 hours of hands-on work, they brought the GTO back to life in a backyard. Parker’s cousin, Stevie Sanders, and Skylar Trompower played key roles in the project.

Under the hood, the setup is nothing short of attention-grabbing:

• Stock-bottom-end Gen 3 5.3L
• 799 heads
• Twin 78mm VS Racing turbos
• Steve Hopkins–built Turbo 400 with trans brake
• Tommy Blackard–spec’d PTC converter
• Holley equipment throughout (fuel system, tuning, dash, etc.)
• WELD wheels
• QA1 coilovers
• Quick Performance 9-inch rear
• 750 horsepower on tap

For tuning, Parker works closely with Josh Elam and Forrest Luster at Dynospeed in Memphis, TN.

Like many gearheads, Parker’s love for speed started at a red light. It was fun, but he realized it wasn’t safe. “Cars pulling up next to me at a light was how it all started,” he says. “Then I realized that wasn’t the safest way to do it, so I hit the track.” He credits his entry into the racing world to Kyle Loftis of 1320 Video and tuner Josh Elam. On his very first pass, his late friend Hunter Dorris rode shotgun. That moment lit a fire that hasn’t faded.

“My favorite thing about this car is that it’s different. You don’t see many of these in the race scene, so it stands out,” Parker says.

He’s quick to acknowledge the people who helped him along the way. Tommy Blackard, a lifelong friend, is the reason Parker met Kyle Loftis, who became one of the biggest influences in pulling him deeper into racing. “Kyle really led me into racing. He documents any and everything to do with cars. Seeing that pulled me in, and I never looked back.” Parker also thanks his parents for supporting him from day one. “They’ve always been there for me, and none of this would have been possible without them.”

Despite the power, the hits on the track, and the long hours spent wrenching, Parker never forgets why he does it. “Whenever I go out or someone sees me, and it’s a kid, I’ll stop whatever I’m doing. It’s important to help get the upcoming generation involved and interested in this sport. That’s how core memories are made,” Parker says with a smile.

This car isn’t just a 750-horsepower GTO, it’s a reminder that the car community is built on shared passion, friendships forged in garages, and the thrill of creating something with your own hands. For Parker Cannon, the future of racing isn’t just about his car. It’s about making sure the next kid watching from the fence line gets their turn behind the wheel, too.