B&M…A Company Of Firsts
B&M specializes in performance automatic transmissions, torque converters, SFI approved flexplates, legendary automatic shifters, precision manual shifters, and many other transmission products including cast deep aluminum transmission pans, transmission coolers, and automatic transmission fluid.
B&M Performance & Off-Road has been at the vanguard of the growing automotive aftermarket since the early 1950s. Racers themselves, B&M’s founders identified the needs of local performance enthusiasts and developed products to fill those needs.
B&M specializes in performance automatic transmissions, torque converters, SFI approved flexplates, legendary automatic shifters, precision manual shifters, automatic shift handles, extended transfer case handles, cast deep aluminum transmission pans, differential covers, transmission coolers, power steering coolers, automatic transmission fluid, and transmission accessories for performance street, truck, Jeep, and off-road applications.
1953-1955: B&M Hydro Stick – the only patented 4-speed Automatic Racing Transmission
B&M Automotive Products was founded by Bob Spar and Mort Schuman (B&M) in 1953. In 1955, Bob’s brother Don went to work for B&M. Soon after, B&M produced the only patented 4-speed automatic racing transmission in history, known as the famous B&M Hydro Stick.
1965: Frank Cannon – First 200MPH Top Fuel run in history using B&M TorkMaster Transmission at Long Beach
Through the 1960's, B&M became one of the dominant forces in racing automatic transmissions. In 1965, Frank Cannon made the first 200 MPH Top Fuel run in history using a B&M TorkMaster Transmission at Long Beach, California. Don Prudhomme’s first solo effort was in the B&M owned and sponsored TorkMaster car. In 1969, B&M teamed up with Andy Granatelli and Plymouth and developed the only automatic transmission ever for Indy Car racing. B&M also teamed up with Chrysler and developed the torque converter for the Hemi that dominated Super Stock racing in the late 1960's. The company was the first to create what is known now as a high stall speed racing torque converter as well as the first to develop the forerunner of today’s racing automatic shifters.
Market Leader in R&D of Aftermarket Racing Transmission Technology
By 1970, B&M was very well respected in the aftermarket and by the large automobile manufacturers. By then B&M had done development work and research programs for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Ford, Plymouth, Dodge, AMC, and Ferrari, and established itself as the market leader in R&D as well as product quality in the area of racing transmission technology.
Throughout the decades, B&M’s deep-rooted involvement in racing is what has helped B&M consistently improve the breed in street performance products. B&M isn’t resting on its past achievements. From the 1980s, through the 90s and into the new millenium, B&M has introduced literally hundreds of new shifter, transmission and hardcore racing related products and is constantly developing new technology.
World’s Largest Supplier of Performance Shifters to OEMs and Tuners in the US and Europe
B&M is also a proud supplier to many current NHRA World Champions as well as SCCA road course racers world wide. Today B&M is the world’s largest supplier of performance shifters to OEMs and tuners in the United States and Europe.
As performance enthusiasts today, most people are accustomed to having access to whatever performance parts they need for their vehicle readily available at their local dealer. It usually never crosses anyone’s mind who invented these products? Who was the first to identify the need, then develop and manufacture that product?
Since the very early 1950s, B&M has been at the vanguard of the growing automotive aftermarket. Racers themselves, B&M’s founders identified the needs of local racers and street performance enthusiasts, and developed products to fill those needs. As the industry grew so did B&M. And as racers went faster, B&M developed products to help them break the records they just set.
In the 50s it was B&M who came up with the idea of using a performance reinforced Hydramatic for racing. In the 60s it was B&M who developed shifters to go along with it, and later in the decade came race converters. In the 70s, B&M introduced shift and transmission improving kits – always the constantly refining and expanding existing product lines.
If you’ve ever raced a vehicle, or driven a hot rod with an automatic transmission, high stall torque converter, an aftermarket automatic shifter, or performance enhancing shifting kit, thank B&M. From Trick Shift performance ATF to reverse pattern valve bodies, 1.80 gear sets to cool canisters, the list of firsts goes on and on…
It’s this tradition that keeps moving B&M to identify and develop what the performance enthusiast needs. As racing and street performance has spread globally, B&M has taken it’s extensive knowledge and experience and applied it to the needs of racers, everyday drivers and hobbyists around the world.
Keep looking to B&M to continue to be amongst the very first to identify vehicle needs in the global automotive aftermarket, supplying enthusiasts and racers what they need….