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Austin-Healey 100-Six MM
“Mille Miglia”
The model name MM was apparently part of a short-lived marketing strategy
intended to help differentiate the 100-6 with a redesigned cylinder head, as
introduced in 1957, from the original 100-6 model’s engine design whose
performance had disappointed. References to the model name MM are found only in
contemporary road test reports in the motoring press, and are not found in
factory literature.
The model name MM was derived from the Mille Miglia (“Thousand Mile”) race in
Italy in which Tommy Wisdom drove the prototype 100-6 with the improved engine
in 1957. The difference between the original 100-6 and the MM was a running
production change and confined to the engine. The MM was therefore not a
separate model from the 100-6, but rather was the new standard 100-6 – once
introduced, all 100-6 cars had the new engine.
The original engine as used in the 100-6 had an integral cylinder head and
intake manifold. The improved version introduced as the MM had a more
conventional separate intake manifold. Larger carburetors were also fitted,
along with larger intake and exhaust valves. The result was an increase from
102 to 117 bhp
Courtesy of Reid Trummel, Austin-Healey Club USA 1999 Resource Book
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"References to the model name MM are found only in
contemporary road test reports in the motoring press, and are not found in
factory literature."
That statement reminded me of a document that I had. Below is an image of a Donald Healey Motor Company Price List for US Forces from 1958. At the time Donald had the rights to sell cars directly to US Forces. The Description for the 100-Six includes "Including M.M. Kit". This is the only known factory related document supporting the motor press claims of an "MM".
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