CHATSWORTH, Calif. - B&M Companies recently purchased the famous Hurst Shifter Division from the Mr. Gasket Performance Group of Brooklyn, Ohio.

The Mr. Gasket Performance Group has owned Hurst Shifter Division since 1987. The purchase puts two of the most popular aftermarket shifter suppliers under one corporate umbrella. In the 1960s, Hurst was the choice of many automobile manufacturers (most notably Pontiac). The company appreciated its past by offering a rebuild program for collector cars outfitted with original Hurst shifters while continuing to offer new shifters and shifter accessories.

B&M Racing & Performance Products has been in the shifter business since 1953, well before the Hurst company was formed. The company will merge Hurst's Brooklyn and Carson City, Nev., operations to B&M's California location.

On its Web site, B&M Racing & Performance Products stated, "B&M is in a perfect position to take good care of the Hurst brand and it's legacy. Both Mr. Gasket and B&M are committed to making the transition of the Hurst brand to B&M as smooth and seamless as possible, with minimal disruption to business."