The 1947 MG Midget sits squarely in the immediate postwar British sports-car tradition, when light weight, open-air driving, and nimble road manners mattered more than sheer horsepower. For many enthusiasts, the TC is one of the defining small-displacement roadsters of its era, and tire choice has a big effect on both stance and character. This MG Midget uses a 450-19 bias-ply tire on a 19-inch rim, keeping it in the period sizing and construction style that suits the car visually and mechanically. Available choices span brands and tire series, all in blackwall form. The real decision is how closely to follow a restoration-minded presentation while confirming wheel dimensions before road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1947 MG Midget
The 1947 MG Midget uses one primary tire size: 450-19, a bias-ply fitment for a 19-inch rim. The MG Midget TC shares that same size, so the main decision is not choosing between multiple primary fitments, but selecting the right tire within 450-19 based on series, brand, wheel specification, and the kind of period-style appearance or road use the car is being prepared for.
The 450-19 size uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format in which the 4.50 figure represents the tire's nominal section width in inches and the 19 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1947 MG Midget, that means a traditional bias-ply construction that matches the car's pre-war and immediate postwar sports-car character. Available choices include Excelsior, Ensign, and Firestone offerings across series such as Excelsior Bias Ply, Ensign B5, Triple Road, Comp H, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply, all with blackwall sidewalls. Choosing among them comes down to the wheel setup on the car and whether the goal leans more toward restoration presentation or active vintage driving.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here, with the covered 1947 MG Midget sub-model using the same primary tire size and construction. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because wheel specifications and restoration goals can influence which 450-19 tire makes the most sense.
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1947 MG Midget TC
The 1947 MG Midget TC uses the 450-19 bias-ply tire, keeping its fitment in line with the narrow, tall tire profile expected on a postwar British roadster. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right brand or series, confirming wheel dimensions, and deciding how restoration-oriented or competition-inspired the finished look should be.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1947 MG Midget Tires for Sale
Available 450-19 choices for the 1947 MG Midget include Excelsior, Ensign, and Firestone bias-ply tires. The product grid lets you compare blackwall options across several vintage tire series, along with wheel-width specifications and other construction details that matter on a 19-inch fitment.
These FAQs for the 1947 MG Midget focus on 450-19 fitment, 19-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply tire selection, restoration-minded appearance, and the practical checks worth making before putting a collector roadster back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1947 MG Midget?
The 1947 MG Midget uses a 450-19 tire size. This is a bias-ply fitment on a 19-inch rim, and the covered MG Midget TC uses that same primary size as well.
That makes the first step fairly simple: confirm that the car still has the correct 19-inch wheels and that it has not been converted to a different wheel and tire package over the years. Once that is settled, the real choice is which 450-19 tire best suits the car's intended use, wheel specification, and period-style presentation.
What size rim does a 1947 MG Midget use?
The 1947 MG Midget uses a 19-inch rim with its 450-19 tire size. Product specifications in this fitment also show wheel-width considerations, including ranges around 2.50 to 3.00 inches and one 3.5-inch application depending on the tire chosen.
Rim diameter is the non-negotiable starting point, but width matters too when comparing available 450-19 tires. A collector car may have replacement wheels or older components that differ from what the tire expects, so measuring the actual wheel before mounting helps avoid mismatched proportions or fitment issues.
Does the 1947 MG Midget TC use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1947 MG Midget TC uses the same 450-19 bias-ply tire size as the 1947 MG Midget fitment shown here. That keeps sub-model selection straightforward because there is no alternate primary tire size to sort through.
Even with shared sizing, it is still smart to inspect the actual wheels on the car before choosing a tire. A restored or modified TC may be wearing different rims than expected, and that can affect which 450-19 product makes the most sense from a wheel-width, appearance, or driving-use standpoint.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 450-19 tire for a 1947 MG Midget?
Start with the basics: the correct primary size is 450-19, and the construction here is bias-ply. From there, compare the available tire series, the wheel-width specifications tied to each product, and whether the car is being prepared for restoration display, regular vintage touring, or a more competition-inspired presentation.
Brand and series differences matter mainly in character and suitability rather than in changing the fundamental fitment. A narrow original-style wheel calls for close attention to rim-width range, while a car built with different wheels may point toward a different 450-19 option within the same overall size.
What brands offer tires for the 1947 MG Midget?
The 1947 MG Midget has 450-19 tire options from Excelsior, Ensign, and Firestone. Those choices include several bias-ply series, such as Excelsior Bias Ply, Comp H, Ensign B5, Triple Road, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply.
Choosing between brands is less about finding a universally better name and more about selecting the tire series that suits the car's setup and visual goal. Some owners want a straightforward restoration-oriented blackwall, while others may be comparing wheel-width requirements or looking for a series with a more specialized vintage-performance feel.
What tire series are available for the 1947 MG Midget?
Available 450-19 tire series for the 1947 MG Midget include Excelsior Bias Ply, Ensign B5, Triple Road, Comp H, and Firestone Classic Bias Ply. All are bias-ply tires in blackwall form, but they represent different vintage product lines within the same overall size category.
That variety gives an MG owner room to choose a tire that matches the project's priorities. One car may call for a traditional restoration-style presentation, while another may benefit from a series chosen with wheel specification or spirited vintage use in mind, provided the actual rim dimensions are checked first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1947 MG Midget?
A period-style 1947 MG Midget starts with the correct primary size and construction, which here means a 450-19 bias-ply tire. Staying with that format preserves the tall, narrow look associated with postwar British sports cars and keeps the car visually in step with its era.
The finer choice comes from comparing available brands and tire series against the car's restoration goals and actual wheel setup. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, it is wise to cross-check marque literature, period photos, or club guidance before settling on one brand or series.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1947 MG Midget?
Tire construction has a strong effect on how a restored 1947 MG Midget presents. A 450-19 bias-ply tire supports the traditional visual proportions expected on a TC-era MG, including the tall sidewall profile and overall vintage stance that suit an immediate postwar roadster.
Appearance is only part of the decision, but on a restoration-minded car it matters a great deal. Even within the right size, the chosen tire series and wheel specification can subtly influence the final look, so matching the tire to the car's intended era feel is just as important as matching the basic dimensions.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1947 MG Midget?
Yes. A 1947 MG Midget may have replacement wheels, brake changes, suspension alterations, or other long-ago modifications that affect how a 450-19 tire fits in practice. The original-style fitment remains 450-19 on a 19-inch rim, but the car in front of you may not still match that exact setup.
Checking wheel diameter and width is the most important first step, followed by a look at clearance around fenders, steering components, and suspension travel. Even a correct-size tire should be matched to the actual wheel and chassis condition on the car rather than assumed from model year alone.
What should I inspect before driving a 1947 MG Midget on new tires?
Before driving a 1947 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the rim dimensions, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated appropriately for the application. It also helps to check steering movement, suspension condition, and visible clearance at the fenders and chassis.
A short, careful test drive is a sensible follow-up on any collector car, especially one with tall, narrow bias-ply tires. Watch for vibration, rubbing, uneven behavior, or air loss, then recheck pressure and hardware after the first miles to make sure the car is ready for normal road use.
How should 450-19 tires on a collector 1947 MG Midget be maintained?
Collector-car tires benefit from regular inspection even when mileage stays low. On a 1947 MG Midget, look over the 450-19 tires for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven tread wear, and signs of air loss, and keep the wheels clean and the car stored away from prolonged heat, sunlight, and ozone sources.
Bias-ply tires on seldom-driven cars should not be ignored simply because the tread still looks good. Periodic pressure checks and routine visual inspection help catch age-related issues early, and moving the car occasionally can reduce long-term flat-spotting during storage between drives or show events.
