Lucky Teter

Earl Moseman "Lucky" Teter (October 1, 1901 – July 5, 1942) was an American stunt driver, showman and entrepreneur. He pioneered and popularized the touring stunt driving show, performing across the country until his death in a car jumping stunt.

Biography

Born in Noblesville, Indiana, Teter was a gas station attendant who, by 1932, was performing automobile and motorcycle stunts. "Lucky Teter and His Hell Drivers" performed across the United States and Canada beginning in 1936, and had great success for six years. He is credited with creating such now-staple stunts as jumping a car from ramp to ramp He also appeared in some documentary shorts and did some (uncredited) stunt driving for the 1936 film Speed, which featured James Stewart in his first starring role.

On July 5, 1942, Teter was the last performer at an Army Relief benefit at the Indiana State Fair Grounds. He planned to break his own world distance record by jumping over a transport truck. He drove a 1938 Plymouth at and jumped off the first ramp, but came down several feet short and crashed into the supports of the landing ramp.

Documentary

Teter was the subject of a 2011 documentary, Lucky Teter and His Hell Drivers.