Lucky Teter Car, Bike Show Moves to Labor Day Weekend, Still Benefits Kids

If you love car shows, this Labor Day weekend could turn into one of your favorite weekends.

The 12th annual Lucky Teter Rebel Run Car Show and Vintage Motorcycle Show has moved to this Labor Day weekend.

“We wanted to tie the show into a holiday for easier recognition of date and hopefully a larger turnout,” said founder and organizer Barry Dixon of Noblesville. A Freemason of more than 20 years, he started the show in 2010 because he wanted to help kids and to honor the late Noblesville resident Earl “Lucky” Teter.

Teter and his Hell Drivers were nationally known daredevils from the 1930s and early 1940s and performed an automotive thrill show throughout the United States. In his show, Teter used cars just as they came from the factory and wore goggles and a leather football helmet for safety.

Teter died 80 years ago on July 5, 1942, while performing a stunt at the Indiana State Fair. Two days later, Teter was given a full military funeral at Noblesville First United Methodist Church, followed by a mile-long procession to Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville.

Dixon, who had a passion for old cars, founded the car show to help out the Noblesville Masonic Lodge’s Angel Fund. All proceeds go to benefit the fund.

Originally started in the parking lot of the Noblesville bowling alley, the show’s move to Forest Park changed themes after Dixon discovered that Lucky Teter was also a Freemason. “We wanted to do something to keep his memory alive in Noblesville.”

“We are expecting over 200 cars and vintage motorcycles this year,” Dixon said.

Each year, custom trophies are created and presented for the Lucky Teter Rebel Run’s winning picks. The show’s awards this year are for Best Paint Pick, Best Motor Pick, Muscle Car Pick, The Coveted Lucky 13, the Spider Mills Pioneer award, and the Lucky Teter Legacy award.

There is also a custom-made motorcycle pick award. Dixon said everyone who registers will receive a Lucky Teter car show dash plaque. Plus, this year, there is a new award for “the furthest traveled to get to the car show,” he said.

Russell “Spider” Mills was a Noblesville native and daredevil, performing with Teter across the nation, up to Teter’s death. Mills returned to Noblesville, working on vehicles as an auto mechanic for the remainder of his life. Mills’ son, Chuck Mills, of Sheridan, who attended three of Dixon’s Lucky Teter car shows, died May 30, 2018.

Dixon said the flag will be presented at noon Saturday at the car show, and “We are very honored to have Addison McMillan singing the National Anthem this year.” She is 16 years old and a member of Noblesville High School’s NHS Singers.

Dixon, a 1981 graduate of NHS, said he first became interested in old cars when he was a teenager. “My first older car was a 1966 Impala which is also my first car I drove in high school. My love for cars definitely came from my father. He and I have worked on many older cars and once traveled to Texas to pick up parts,” Dixon said.

He said he loves that the show is under the shade trees at Forest Park. Returning this year, Dixon said Ginger’s Cafe owner Mikki Perrine and her crew will again serve hamburgers and hot dogs.

“This could be our best show yet,” Dixon said.

He touts his show as a creation of his own. “Because we are not your typical car show, our show is laid back with lots of good music, good food and, of course, beautiful Forest Park,” said Dixon, who always deejays the car show.

They’ll have lots of giveaways throughout the day, donated by local businesses. Also, car buffs who collect car show souvenirs will want a new T-shirt for 2022.

Dixon and his wife, Michelle, a 1989 NHS grad, both love old cars. They are the owners of a 1955 red Cadillac that they call, “Ms. Dixie.” He found the car about 14 years ago and had it restored, with new paint and all new interior. He is the second owner of the car, which has a 331 V8 engine and manual transmission. They are currently restoring a 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille that he told me about three years ago. “It is further along now and ready for paint,” he said.

While there was no Lucky Teter car show in 2020 due to the Covid-19, the show has brought in about $47,000, for the Angel Fund, since 2007.

Also, this weekend, the free annual Cicero Friends of the Parks 31st annual Red Bridge Park Car Show (which will have shopping and crafts indoors) will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, at Red Bridge Park Community Building, 697 W. Jackson St., Cicero,, with 30 awards for 30 years. Registration is $16, with proceeds benefiting Cicero Parks.

Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.