1950 MG Tires

A 1950 MG is associated with two 15-inch tire sizes: 560-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both sizes are used with the MG TD & TF grouping, so the fitment question is less about separate sub-model sizing and more about which construction and tire format suits the car.

The practical next step is confirming what is currently on the car, especially if it has been driven on radials or restored with replacement wheels. A 560-15 keeps the vintage numeric bias-ply format, while 155R15 moves to a Euro-metric radial size. Wheel width, clearance, and the car's intended use should be checked before settling on either direction.

Both tire sizes associated with the 1950 MG use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 560-15 bias-ply fitment and the 155R15 radial fitment, so the wheel-diameter question remains consistent even though the tire construction and sizing language differ.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a small British sports car. Wheel width still matters, and the acceptable width range can vary by tire. Before changing construction types or replacing older tires, it is wise to confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car and inspect for any aftermarket or restoration-era changes.

On a 1950 MG, 560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 560 indicates an approximate 5.60-inch nominal section width, and the 15 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. It is the traditional vintage-style sizing format associated with many postwar vehicles before metric radial sizing became common.

Understanding that format helps when comparing it to 155R15, which is a radial size expressed in millimeters rather than inches. The two sizes are not simply different labels for the same tire type. One preserves a period-style bias-ply presentation, while the other represents a radial alternative that should still be checked against wheel width and overall vehicle setup.

For the 1950 MG, 560-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the vintage numeric fitment associated with traditional construction, and it appears in several bias-ply product choices from brands such as Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac.

That matters because a buyer deciding on 560-15 is choosing more than sidewall style. Bias-ply construction affects the car's overall presentation and preserves an earlier tire format. Anyone considering a switch to radial construction should compare wheel width and vehicle clearance carefully rather than assuming a radial alternative behaves exactly like the original-style bias-ply setup.

Radial equivalents for 560-15 include 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 is an 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent. Those two options give a 1950 MG owner a choice between a conventional Euro-metric radial format and a radial designed to retain a more traditional visual character.

A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these equivalent choices, which makes wheel measurement especially important before conversion. Even with the same 15-inch diameter, overall fit still depends on the wheel and the car's actual condition. Clearance at the fenders and steering components should be checked before committing to an equivalent radial size.

That decision depends on what matters most for the car. A 560-15 bias-ply keeps the traditional size format and supports a more period-style appearance, while a 155R15 radial or 560R15 bias-look radial offers a radial construction in a compatible 15-inch format for the 1950 MG.

A restoration-focused car may lean toward the numeric bias-ply size, especially when sidewall appearance is part of the goal. A road-driven MG may prompt a closer look at radial options instead. The best approach is to match the tire choice to the car's wheel width, intended use, and the balance you want between vintage presentation and a radial-format setup.

Start with the basic direction of the car: traditional bias-ply or radial. The 560-15 keeps the vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, while 155R15 uses a Euro-metric radial format. Since both work with a 15-inch rim diameter, the decision usually centers on construction, visual style, and whether the car is being restored for period presentation or used more regularly on the road.

After choosing the size family, compare wheel-width requirements, sidewall treatment, tire series, and any available load figures for the exact product. The MG's small dimensions make wheel compatibility important, especially if the car has replacement wheels. It also helps to consider whether blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall presentation better suits the finished look you want.

Sidewall style depends on the tire size and construction chosen for the 1950 MG. In 560-15 bias-ply form, available sidewall treatments include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. In 155R15 radial form, the available products are blackwall tires, which keeps the appearance more understated and sporting.

That choice can shift the car's visual character even when the wheel diameter stays the same. A blackwall usually delivers the cleanest traditional sports-car look, while whitewall treatments create a more stylized period presentation. Since sidewall style is separate from size and construction, it makes sense to confirm fitment first and then use the sidewall choice to refine the car's final appearance.

Tire choices for the 1950 MG include Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. The radial side of the fitment is represented by Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein in 155R15-related offerings, while the 560-15 bias-ply side includes Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac.

Brand is only one part of the selection process on a car like this. It is usually more helpful to compare the construction type, sidewall treatment, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility within the size you plan to use. That approach keeps the decision tied to fitment and intended appearance rather than assuming every tire in a given brand family serves the same purpose.

A period-style 1950 MG usually starts with the 560-15 bias-ply size because it preserves the vintage numeric format and traditional construction. That size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, which gives room to shape the car's appearance without leaving the bias-ply family.

The right final choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what look suits the finished build. For a historically minded restoration, it helps to compare the car against marque references, period photos, or club guidance before picking a whitewall treatment. A radial can still be considered, but it changes the presentation away from the earlier bias-ply format.

On a restored 1950 MG, tire construction changes both the look of the sidewall and the overall visual impression of the car. A 560-15 bias-ply keeps a more traditional vintage tire presentation, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style metric format even though it remains a 15-inch fitment.

That difference becomes especially noticeable on a small open sports car where tire proportions are easy to see. Buyers focused on a restoration-oriented result often start with the bias-ply size, then decide between blackwall and whitewall styling. Buyers who value radial construction may prefer the cleaner blackwall radial look, accepting that appearance and construction are no longer the same as the earlier format.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1950 MG even when the tire size itself is correct. Replacement wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all alter how a 560-15 or 155R15 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance it has in steering travel.

That is why the actual car should be checked before changing between bias-ply and radial constructions or selecting a different tire series. A 15-inch rim diameter alone does not settle the question. Measuring the wheel, looking for rubbing marks, and confirming clearance at full lock and full suspension movement can prevent problems once the new tires are mounted.

Before driving a 1950 MG on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and mounting surfaces, then confirm that the tires are the intended size and seated correctly on the rims. It is also smart to check that tread and sidewalls are free of shipping damage and that inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used.

A brief road check should follow, paying attention to steering feel, vibration, and any sign of contact inside the wheel wells. Since collector cars can sit for long periods, it also helps to inspect the suspension and steering components at the same time. Fresh tires perform best when the rest of the chassis is in equally sound roadworthy condition.

Collector-car tires on a 1950 MG should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car wears 560-15 bias-ply tires or 155R15 radials, owners should watch for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, or slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently.

Storage conditions matter because heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone can age tires long before tread is worn out. Rolling the car periodically and keeping it on a clean, dry surface can also help. Before any longer outing, inspect the tires again and confirm that age and condition still make them suitable for road use, not just display.