Company HistoryThe Founders - For 50 years since its founding in 1957, the name Milodon has been synonymous with premium quality racing components. Milodon started with Milo Franklin and Don Alderson, hence the name of MILO-DON. Don was a racer, both at the drag races and the salt flats, and an aerospace engineer. The Dead End Kids, who were the # 1 Top Fuel team in the Northeast in 1965, moved to California and became an instrumental part of Milodon for many years to come. It was this engineering team that developed the major products that Milodon sells today. Main caps, Gear Drives, Oil Pans and Fasteners were designed in an environment where failure was absolutely unacceptable. The Milodon VII Liter Hemi - The brains of the Dead End Kids Top Fuel team was Joe Anahory. It was Joe and Don that developed the mighty Milodon VII Liter Hemi block. During the late 60's and 70's everyone who was anyone in drag racing ran this block. The list included Don Garlits, Shirley Muldowny, John Force, Don Prudomme and so many more. The Milodon Hemi was also used In Top Alcohol drag racing, Drag Boats and multi-engine Tractor Pullers. The Milodon Hemi was known for "strongest bottom end in racing". When other engines were throwing crankshafts on the ground with blackened bearings, the bearings in the Milodon VII Liters were perfect and ready for another run. The Milodon Small Block Chevy - Milodon also developed an aluminum Small Block Chevy that was heavily run in Sprint Cars, road race and Blown Alcohol Dragsters. It holds the record for the fastest Small Block Chevy car to run the Indy 500. That car was driven by Dennis Firestone. Dan Gurney Racing used this engine in great numbers for road racing. They also wound up in a few airplanes, Porsche and Jaguar engine swaps and even a Top Fuel car, that made 85 passes before it failed. Now that is tough! Production of both aluminum engines ceased in 1985 when Milodon decided to focus more on the non-professional ranks. The Pro classes draw the crowd but it is the tens of thousands of sportsman and weekend warrior racers that form the bulk of the sport. Joe Anahory went on to design the Pisano JP1 Hemi block, all of Rodeck's TFX Hemi and Small Block Chevys, the Eagle dual overhead cam Hemi and a road race aluminum V-8 for Toyota. Early Industry Involvement - Milodon was one of the founding members of the SEMA organization, which now has over 3000 performance automotive members worldwide. In 1967 the first SEMA show included 65 companies. These companies embodied the entire hot rod industry at that time, all under one roof at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The current SEMA show, now in Las Vegas, fills 2 million square feet and is four days long. Today, there are only 17 of the founding companies left. In recognition of Milodon's quality, SEMA has also presented Milodon with the "Best Packaging and Display" award for innovative and outstanding product appearance. Milodon has also been a proud sponsor of Drag Racing since 1967 starting with NHRA. Since that time, Milodon posts about 1/4 million dollars each year in support of grassroots racers in NHRA, IHRA and big dollar bracket races. The Way Its Done - It was in 1975 that Steve Morrison, Milodon's current owner, joined Milodon shortly out of college. Steve learned first hand how racers mixed practical racing experience and engineering expertise to produce the finest parts you could buy. And when Don Alderson, who was 6'7" at 325 lbs told you how it was to be done, you pretty much got the idea right away. More than 1/3 of Milodon's current employees worked for the original Milodon team. They are proud to carry on the heritage. Products Philosophy We all know that..... you can buy many brands cheaper than Milodon, but you can't any better. Warranty Information
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