BMS Products IS STEVE BUTCHART!

Steve knows everything about automatics. He loves them. He must, he started on Trimatics way back in 1969 when they were the latest thing Holden offered. In fact he was so good only three years after finishing his apprenticeship he was made the manager of an automatic workshop in Mosman. As manger he had the time to dabble in modifying and experimenting with High Performance Automatic Transmissions. This was the beginning of a passion for autos that remains unabated.

In 1977 Steve chose to do what every successful manager wants to do, he opened his own transmission workshop, and SB Automatics now known universally as BMS Products was born. No longer constrained by managing someone else’s business Steve diversified by working on all aspects of automatics, including overhauling his own converters.

Steve’ next project was to build something special for himself. He chose to modify an FJ Ute for street use. He dropped in a Turbo Charged 202 with a Manual Shifting Trimatic!! To complete the exercise he included a Steel Servo Piston and Hi Stall Converter. After Steve gave the FJ it's first run, he could not help himself and to show off to his mates he entered his now beloved FJ in the street class at the Castlereagh drags. Steve succumbed to the motor-racing bug at his first go. He continued to compete at Castlereagh until the track's sad demise.

Forever hungry for a challenge Steve decided to try his hand at circuit racing. He built and successfully campaigned an EH Holden for many seasons. He soon earned a reputation as a fair but very determined competitor. Steve's success on the track coincided with his Transmission business's rapid expansion. Ultimately he could no longer spare sufficient time to do all the things required to maintain and drive a competitive racing car. Reluctantly, both Steve and the EH were retired.

His love of Motor Sport never waned. Steve has always managed to find a way to be involved. In the early 80s he developed automatics for the Old Man Emu Off-Road Racing Team. This association led to an introduction to Art Carr who had built the Parnelli Jones built Chevy Blazer. Like Steve, Art shares a passion for Automatics and improving their efficiency to the point of excellence for road and track. Steve was so impressed with Art’s products that he began importing them to meet his customers needs at his Narrabeen workshop.

The success of the Old Man Emu team did nothing but enhance Steve’s reputation. Responding to the demand for his expertise, he rebuilt transmissions for many off road customers including Bob Stainsford, Terry Merriman, Ian Headley and Jim Hunter to name a few.

His hunger for involvement in Motor Sport was fed by working on the Bob Forbs Commodore. A new and enduring association was formed with the three Tilly brothers by developing their Torqueflight Automatics in their highly successful Valiants.

Drag racing was never far away either. It was around this time he worked on Lucky Belleri's projects up to but not including his Door Slammer. Jeff Develin's Firemans Quickie provided another dimension as Steve had to develop a transmission capable of dealing with a massive 1760 HP!!

In 1992, unable to resist the competitive urge and passion for Motor Sport and having competed in such illustrious vehicles as an FJ and the EH, how could he say no when a class was created for the most popular holden of the all the ubiquitous HQ. Despite all the Taxi jokes the HQs developed into one of the most competitive classes ever seen on Australian tracks. With huge fields and incredibly close lap times no one driver was ever able to dominate the class.

However, in 1992 Steve was to win twice at Australia’s and perhaps the worlds most daunting tracks, Bathurst, New South Wales.


Once again, quick to accept a challenge Steve next offered his expertise to the world of Racing Boats. Results came quickly for his customers and he has successfully built both Powerglides and Turbo 400’s. This was world apart from the original Trimatic of the 60's but his approach was with the same passion and attention for detail resulting in a world title for John Robbo's FIREBIRD fitted with a Turbo 400.

The Powerglide fitted to REVENGE and piloted by Steve Fatini was developed by Steve. With the Powerglide fitted it won races at Mildura; several class wins in the Sydney Bridge to Bridge; holds the record at the Grafton Bridge to Bridge as well as being the Australians Mens Open winner. Not one to rest on his laurels Steve has also built a new transmission for the boat; it measures 14” in total length from housing to yoke flange.

Steve now regularly travels overseas to trade shows to keep abreast of any new developments in the world of automatic transmissions. Steve’s wife Margaret has been an integral part of BMS Products for many years now and more than holds the fort in his absence. Margaret is directly involved in sales, sourcing out new and interesting stock and the tracking of orders from start to finish.

Steve and Margaret are determined to make this site the most successful of its type anywhere in the world. The product line will be expanded with time according to customer needs and as always BMS Products is at the forefront of supplying both advice and products for High Performance Automatic Transmissions and selected automotive parts.

Feel free to visit BMS Products as often as you like to keep up with current products lists as they will change with demand and supply. If you wish to be informed of new products and specials please forward your details to sales@bmsproducts.com.au and remember:

“IF GOD HAD WANTED YOU TO DRIVE A MANUAL HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU THREE LEGS”