I just ran across this today and I'm going to post it here to leave a record for a man I consider a legend. Larry was the C/G national champion the first year the Nationals were held at Indy in 1961. He repeated taking the trophy again in 1962 with an ET of 13.37. beating Al Tschida. Larry passed away July 1, 2004 at his home. Larry's Vicky was the inspiration for my build, RIP. Chicago Tribune Lawrence Edward Teter, 71 Top drag racer, daredevil at heart July 31, 2004|By Stefanie Dell'Aringa, Special to the Tribune. For drag-racing enthusiasts old enough to remember, Larry Teter was a champion. At the wheel of a 1932 Ford Victoria known as "The Vicky," he roared past the finish line, winning the National Hot Rod Association's 1961 and 1962 C/Gas Class Nationals. Though Mr.Teter was not one to boast, his home was filled with hundreds of trophies from drag-racing competitions across the nation. "It's neat to hear the stories of all the different races and the impact he had on people," said his daughter Tracy. "To me, as a kid, I had no clue how famous he was." Lawrence Edward Teter, 71, who was born in Melrose Park, died of cancer on Thursday, July 1 in his home in Holly Springs, Miss., near Memphis. He enlisted in the Korean War as a Navy mechanic. In 1954 he moved to Elgin and, three years later, married Ruth Lloyd. They divorced in 1979. He and his second wife, Peggy, wed in 1984 and moved to Holly Springs in 1996. Mr. Teter was a high-performance engine specialist who owned and operated Teter Automotive Inc. for 20 years. After that, he owned and operated an auto marine engines business, retiring eight years ago. Over the years he worked on various specialty racecars and twin engines for cigarette boats. He was paid appearance fees several times to race against other NHRA champions. "I remember Larry as a great competitor," said NHRA champion H. G. "Pork" Zartman who competed against him in the '60s. "His car at the time was not only a great running car, but beautiful as well. It was burgundy in color, Chevy-powered and shifted by a four-speed." Zartman considers Mr. Teter to be a drag-racing legend. Mr. Teter, a perfectionist and role model, passed down his business know-how to family and friends. His daughter Tracy owns and operates two businesses. Former employee Les Jones opened his own automotive shop after several years under his tutelage. "I learned an unbelievable amount of things from him," said Jones, adding that Mr. Teter never lost his temper. "His personal demeanor was very helpful in that regard." A daredevil at heart, Mr. Teter enjoyed riding dirt bikes and snowmobiles, and belonged to the Cold Ducks Snowmobile Club in Elgin. He also belonged to the Elgin Elks Club and the Elgin Torquers, a hot rod club.
Larry Teter may be one of those guys who just doesnt seem to get as much cred as he deserves. I have read that his 32 Vicky was maroon and then also have seen it referred to a beautiful red candy. In one of the pics below it does look like candy and the car looks as good as it ran from what I can see. Teter ran a couple years before my time but I have followed gas, M/SP and MP since the sixties and ran across his name a number of times. Several years ago I bought an old 1961 Vette built by Larry Teter and have tried to find out a bit more about the man and the car and have not come across much sad to say. Besides a mention here and there and an article I read sometime ago, not a ton has been written. I agree with Terry that this thread is a small way of paying some tribute to the guy. Larry Teter was pretty much the guy to beat in C/G in the early sixties. At Indy in 1961 and 1962 he won his class. In 62, I understand he beat the Hill/Zartman Filthy Forty Willys to win class. Pork Zartman though had some revenge of his own when he met Teter again in 1963 to take the win at Indy (at least what I have read off of Gasser Madness site). Some of the pics below I believe are from the gasser Madness site and Byron Stack and guys like him are to be credited with cataloging great info on the cars and characters that made up the gas era. I have spent many hours cataloging my own data and it is a bunch of work to be sure. Larry Teter built a number of drag cars and I have read he expanded his horizons and went on to build some road race Mustangs and Fords under the name of Teterbuilt ICE and was pretty successful. Sadly he passed away before I bought my heap or I would have a question or three from him. If anyone runs across a picture of a chopped top 1961 Vette I would appreciate passing if along. The car had to have been a bit of a handful as it was a big block car with a tube chassis and straight axle. With the top chopped, the driver (Lou Price-out of Illinois) had to sit in the car with the seat in the rockered position and rowing a four speed in that position had to have been loads of fun.Jim Appears as if he paid a bit of attention to detail. Looks like candy in this pic. Even has a rear spare and tire cover. Maybe a little well placed weight? According to Gasser Madness this is 1963 Indy with Pork taking his revenge over the reverse result in 1962. Know nothing of this shot other than the car looks good.
Here are some more pics.-Jim This pic seems to show the maroon a bit on his matching tow rig. Not too shabby Here is a side shot of the 1961 Vette A rear shot of the 61 Vette showing his name in gold leaf- Teter Automotive Elgin Ill.
How did he even get into the Vette!! Great story about someone who I have never heard of before now. It is a good thing that folks on here can share this information and pictures so the legends are not forgotten. Good luck with the restoration of the Vette. Don't throw your back out getting in.
Never met the man but always admired his car, here is a picture I have had displayed in my home for over 20 years it was taken at Al's Speed shop in North Aurora Illinois around 196?
Here a shot of his Vicky and matching truck. He was one of the few guys that put the Show with the Go, and made them both work.
Hi, I am Larry's daughter Terri and live here in North Aurora. Al's, gosh remeber going there with my dad to pick up parts. Never saw this picture though, thanks for posting it.
The vette in the picture was one he built for a guy out of Elgin named Lou Price. Lou was the driver and it was sponsored by dad's shop. The only info I have on the car is that Lou's x-wife is Mary Meadows of WR Meadows in Hampshire IL. She may have info, you could try her. Dad raced his own vet, not sure of the year know it was from the 60's. It was black and had puzzles pcs air brushed into the paint. I think it was a t-top. He raced this in the early 70's at Byron and Great Lakes and also we took in to the Gator Nationals one year. He would be very humbled that so many people were inspired by him. Thanks Terri Teter Dalton
Thanks, Terri. I already reached out one time with the family but it went nowhere. Maybe it went to the wrong person at the time. Will have to look at my notes but I sent it to a company that I thought was owned by the family. I think it was Meadows something or another. I thought maybe one of the younger set may take an interest. Will try again. Your dad had to have been pretty good to have done as well as he did at Indy alone. Winning once is pretty decent but winning back to back and then going to the class finals in the third consecutive year is something not many can claim. I have a few projects in front of the Vette but rest assured your dad's name will go back on the car when it is eventually put back together. He is worth remembering.-Jim
I really never realized how big he was in the racing world until his memorial. So many attended and had such great things to say. He was inducted into the Great Lakes Hall of Fame a few years ago along with Gabby Bleeker, Chris Karamasinis and Arnie the Farmer Beswick. I realized then how big he was, when Arnie said it was an honor to be in the same group as him. I remeber as a kid going to California and spending the day at Sig Erson's house, my dad was a huge backer of his racing cams. To this day nothing is better than being at the track when a fuely pulls to the line and does a burn out, love the feeling of that rumbling in my bones. Good luck with the car. Terri
the color was honduras maroon...... here how the car looked in 1977 after years of starage, after its retirement in the 60's
Here's a real early shot I just found. Moon discs and minus the white board with his 227 number in the rear windows. Terry
After Teter won the C/G nationals in '61 & '62, Pork Zartman gets the drop on the Deuce in '63. This was the first year the Christmas tree replaced the flagman at the nationals. The drivers hated it and even Garlits fouled against the new driver Bobby Vodnik in the Top Eliminator final the same year.
Doubtful as Larry Died in 2004 ( his two daughters still survive) and referencing this article - "Lucky Teter also raced in the 1939 Indy 500. His family was from Noblesville Indiana along the White River. Lucky died in 1942. His parents passed in the 1960s and his sister, Ruth died in 1981. As there were no heirs to the family farm, Ruth bequeathed the property to the Methodist Church, which dedicated the 120 acre farm to her parents and it became known as the Teter Family Retreat. " Terry
Some rare footage of the Vicky in action - I believe this is the 1962 Nationals - Larry's '32 appears @ 3:38 (I know it's titled 1963 but by '63 there were changes made to his car that I described in the video "comments") http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUWkHO5qTk4 Terry
I'll never forget seeing that beautiful red Vicky idling through the pit area at Oswego, IL shortly after his '62 Indy victory. I also was at Indy in '63 when "Porky's filty forty" got the drop on him. To give you some idea of how big a figure Larry was in C/ Gas, the Willys had "Teter Eater" written across the bottom of the trunk. The man and the car were both pure class.
Hi, this is Terri Larry's oldest daughter and to clarify the car was "candy apple red". Thanks for posting the pics.
Whoah.....any modern day photos available maybe ? Saw a blue survivor gasser Vicky not too long ago in Phoenix......can't be the same, although very, very similar. Sure was a purty sucker in the previous pics.
The blue Vicky was a different car here is it what the Teter vicky looks like to day the old Teter's Vicky today by 32-cabriolet posted Oct 21, 2010 at 9:23 PM the old Teter's Vicky today by 32-cabriolet posted Oct 21, 2010 at 9:23 PM
Damn.....that's beautiful. You my friend, and your father....are both bad ass. Thanks for sharing. That's a nice ride.....favorite color, of course.
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