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B&M Automotive Products was founded
by Bob Spar and Mort Schuman (B&M). B&M began
in 1953 as an automotive repair shop in Van Nuys,
California. In 1955, Bob’s brother Don went
to work for B&M. In off hours, the founders experimented
in modifying the General Motors HydraMatic automatic
transmission for drag racing applications. In 1958
Don bought out Mort’s interest in the company
and the new partners created the first racing transmission
business in the US. Soon after, B&M produced the
only patented 4-speed automatic racing transmission
in the industry’s history, known as the famous
B&M Hydro Stick. Through the 60’s B&M
became the dominant force in racing automatic transmissions
where B&M enjoyed 100% coverage of the qualifying
fields at national events in Funny Car. In 1965 Frank
Cannon made the first 200 MPH Top Fuel run in history
using a B&M TorkMaster at Long Beach, California.
Don Prudhomme’s first solo effort was in the
B&M owned and sponsored TorkMaster car. Prudhomme
and B&M gained incredible visibility due to wins
nationwide and the company continued to grow. In 1969
B&M teamed up with Andy Granatelli and Plymouth
on what was known as the “P-69” program
and developed the only automatic transmission ever
for Indy car type racing. B&M also teamed up with
Chrysler and developed the torque converter for the
Hemi that dominated Super Stock racing in the late
60’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. By 1970,
B&M was very well respected in the aftermarket
and by the car companies. 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. B&M’s
deep-rooted involvement in racing is what has helped
B&M improve the breed in street performance products.
The company isn’t resting on its past achievements.
The company has introduced hundreds of new shifter
and transmission related products in the last five
years and is constantly developing new technology.
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