1951 MG Midget Tires

The 1951 MG Midget uses two primary tire sizes: 550-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both are built for 15-inch wheels, but they represent different tire formats and different wheel-width expectations, so the choice is about more than reading the rim diameter alone.

Selecting the right one starts with the car's current wheel setup and the kind of driving or restoration goal you have in mind. A car kept close to traditional specification may stay with 550-15 bias-ply, while a radial-equipped setup may point toward 155R15. Confirm the actual wheel width and check body, steering, and suspension clearance before finalizing the change.

The 1951 MG Midget uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its applicable tire sizes, 550-15 and 155R15. That shared diameter makes wheel-size identification easier, but it does not mean every 15-inch wheel is equally suited to either tire construction or section width.

Rim width still matters. The 550-15 bias-ply option is associated with narrower wheels, while the 155R15 radial options are built around wider rim-width ranges depending on the tire series. Measuring the wheel that is actually on the car is worthwhile, especially if the MG has been restored, modified, or converted to a different wheel setup over time.

Yes. The 1951 MG Midget TD follows the same tire-fitment paths as the core vehicle, with 550-15 available in bias-ply construction and 155R15 available in radial construction. Both use 15-inch rims, so the key distinction is construction and wheel suitability rather than a separate TD-only rim diameter.

That means the TD owner is making the same central decision: preserve a traditional bias-ply setup or evaluate a radial alternative. A close look at wheel width is still important, since the available bias-ply and radial products are intended for different rim-width ranges. Matching the tire to the wheel and intended use matters more than the TD badge itself.

For the 1951 MG Midget, 550-15 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format common to period applications, with a nominal 5.50-inch section-width designation and a 15-inch wheel diameter. That makes it the traditional-construction choice for this MG.

Bias-ply selection usually comes down to preserving period-style appearance and the driving feel associated with earlier tire construction. It also means paying attention to wheel width, since the available 550-15 product is intended for a narrower rim than the radial alternatives. Before choosing it, confirm that the car still has a wheel setup appropriate for a bias-ply tire.

Radial equivalents for 550-15 include 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 is an 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is a bias-look radial equivalent intended to keep a more traditional visual character than a modern metric sidewall format.

These equivalents give a 1951 MG Midget owner two different radial directions to consider, but neither should be treated as automatic interchangeability. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the equivalents, so wheel width should be measured and then checked alongside clearance at the fenders, steering, and suspension before converting from 550-15 bias-ply.

That depends on what matters most for the car. The 1951 MG Midget can be kept on a 550-15 bias-ply for a traditional construction and appearance, or fitted with a 155R15 radial when the wheel setup supports it. Both fitment paths use a 15-inch rim, but they serve different priorities.

A restoration-oriented car may lean toward bias-ply because the construction better matches the period character of the vehicle. A road-driven MG may lead some owners to consider the radial route instead. The decision should include wheel width, overall fit, and the look you want, rather than assuming construction alone determines the right answer.

Start with the basic fitment question: whether the car is staying with 550-15 bias-ply or moving to 155R15 radial. Both sizes fit 15-inch rims, but they suit different wheel widths and lead to different tire characteristics. That makes construction, not just size code, the first meaningful choice.

After that, compare the car's actual wheels with the rim-width range of the tire you are considering. Then think about use and presentation. A narrow-wheel, period-style restoration may point toward the bias-ply option, while a radial-ready setup opens access to several blackwall tire lines from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein in different series.

The 1951 MG Midget has tire options from Excelsior, Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. Excelsior covers the 550-15 bias-ply fitment, while the 155R15 radial size includes offerings from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across several different tire series.

Brand choice should be matched to the size and construction path you are pursuing first. Once that is settled, compare details such as rim-width compatibility, tire series character, and whether the look of the sidewall suits the car. Since the available products are blackwall tires, the more meaningful visual difference usually comes from construction and series rather than sidewall treatment.

Available series for the 1951 MG Midget include Excelsior Bias Ply in 550-15, plus F560 Radial, Michelin X Radial, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, CR6ZZ, Snow Classic, and Sprint Classic in 155R15 radial form. Those series give the car both traditional and more modern radial-style choices within the correct overall fitment family.

The practical way to use those series names is as a comparison tool after the correct size and construction have been chosen. Some are aimed at classic road use, while others carry a more specialized character within the radial category. Wheel-width compatibility should still be verified first, because that determines which series are realistic candidates for the car.

For a period-style 1951 MG Midget, the 550-15 bias-ply tire is the natural starting point because it preserves the earlier numeric sizing format and bias-ply construction associated with the car's era. That combination usually aligns best with a traditional visual presentation and narrow-wheel setup.

A radial such as 155R15 can still suit a vintage MG visually, especially since the available options are blackwall tires, but it changes the construction choice and may shift the overall impression of the car. When exact originality matters, compare your selection against marque references or restoration documentation and verify that the wheels on the car still match the intended tire type.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1951 MG Midget; it also changes how the car presents visually. A 550-15 bias-ply keeps the vintage numeric size format and traditional tire character, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style metric sidewall designation and a different overall visual cue.

That does not mean one choice is automatically right and the other wrong. A carefully restored driver may use radial tires for practical reasons, while a more historically minded presentation may lean toward bias-ply construction. The best result comes from matching the tire to the car's wheel setup, stance goals, and the level of authenticity you want the restoration to express.

Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1951 MG Midget even when the wheel still measures 15 inches. Different wheel widths, altered offsets, suspension changes, or body adjustments can affect whether a 550-15 bias-ply or 155R15 radial remains a suitable choice for the car as it sits today.

That is especially important on older sports cars that may have seen wheel swaps or restoration changes over the years. A radial conversion often deserves extra attention because its rim-width needs differ from the narrow bias-ply setup. Checking wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space before mounting tires helps avoid choosing a size or construction that conflicts with the current setup.

Before driving a 1951 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are mounted in the intended size and construction, and look for clearance through full steering travel. Tire pressure should be set correctly, and the car should also be checked for obvious suspension or steering issues.

An older MG often spends long periods parked, so a broader pre-drive check is worthwhile even with new tires installed. Look over the brake system, wheel fasteners, and the condition of any tubes if they are part of the setup. A short, careful road test can then confirm that the tires track cleanly without rubbing or unusual vibration.

Collector-car tires on a 1951 MG Midget should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and air loss, whether the car runs 550-15 bias-ply tires or 155R15 radials. Pressure checks matter on low-use cars, because tires can age and lose air long before tread wear becomes the reason for replacement.

Storage conditions also affect tire life. Keeping the MG away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve both appearance and service condition. Moving the car periodically or avoiding long-term static loading in one position can also help, especially on lightly driven collector vehicles that may sit for extended stretches between outings.