1952 MG Midget Tires

The 1952 MG Midget uses two recognized tire sizes: 550-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with the MG Midget TD and both use a 15-inch wheel diameter, so the main fitment question is construction choice rather than a different rim diameter.

That means the right tire depends on the car's current wheels and the kind of result you want. A 550-15 keeps the traditional bias-ply format, while 155R15 moves to a radial in a metric size. Before choosing, confirm the wheel width, inspect for older replacements or modifications, and decide whether the priority is period-style appearance, familiar vintage road feel, or more regular driving use.

The tire sizes used on a 1952 MG Midget both fit a 15-inch rim. That applies to the 550-15 bias-ply size and the 155R15 radial size, so wheel diameter stays consistent even though the tire constructions and sizing systems are different.

Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture on an MG of this era. Rim width also matters, especially when comparing a narrow bias-ply wheel setup with a radial conversion. The current wheels on the car should be measured and checked for age, condition, and originality before selecting tires, particularly if the car has seen decades of maintenance changes or wheel swaps.

On a 1952 MG Midget, 550-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 5.50 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is the traditional sizing format associated with many small British sports cars of the period.

Understanding that format helps separate an original-style bias-ply fitment from a later radial alternative such as 155R15. The two sizes use the same wheel diameter, but they are not the same type of tire. Owners comparing them should look at wheel width, desired appearance, and the car's intended use, rather than assuming any 15-inch tire with a similar overall look belongs on the car.

For the 1952 MG Midget, 550-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format and represents the traditional construction choice for this application, giving the car the type of tire presentation many owners associate with an early 1950s MG.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply tire and a radial can change both appearance and setup requirements. A 550-15 choice suits owners preserving a more period-style configuration, while radial alternatives should be evaluated more carefully for wheel width and overall compatibility. On a car that may have older wheels or long-ago modifications, confirming the actual hardware before changing construction is especially important.

Radial equivalents for 550-15 include 155R15 as the 80-series metric radial option and 560R15 as the bias-look radial equivalent. Both serve as radial-format alternatives to the original bias-ply size while keeping the 15-inch rim diameter used on the 1952 MG Midget.

The difference is mainly in presentation and sizing convention. A 155R15 follows a standard Euro-metric radial format, while 560R15 is intended for owners who want a more traditional visual character in a radial tire. A 4- to 5-inch rim-width range is associated with those radial alternatives, so wheel width and clearance should be verified before making the change from a 550-15 bias-ply setup.

That depends on what matters most for the car. A 550-15 bias-ply tire preserves the traditional construction and vintage presentation associated with the 1952 MG Midget, while 155R15 gives a radial-format option on the same 15-inch wheel diameter and opens the door to several modern vintage-style product choices.

Owners focused on period-style restoration often stay with bias-ply, while drivers planning more regular road use may lean toward a radial. The better choice comes from checking the existing wheel width, confirming the car has no clearance issues, and deciding whether the goal is to keep an earlier tire character or move to a radial without changing the basic wheel diameter.

Start with the two accepted fitments: 550-15 bias-ply and 155R15 radial, both for a 15-inch rim. The most important decision is whether the car should retain a traditional bias-ply construction or use a radial. After that, compare wheel-width suitability, brand options, and the type of appearance you want on the car.

A restoration-oriented MG may point toward the 550-15, while a car used more often on the road may lead you toward the 155R15 choices. It also helps to inspect the wheels themselves, since older sports cars are often fitted with replacement rims over time. Matching the tire to the actual wheel and the way the car will be driven usually matters more than choosing by looks alone.

The available tires for the 1952 MG Midget are offered in blackwall form. That applies to both the 550-15 bias-ply option and the 155R15 radial selections, so the visible sidewall choice is straightforward even though the construction and brand range vary.

Because the sidewall treatment stays consistent, the more meaningful visual differences come from the tire's construction and series design. A bias-ply blackwall will present differently from a radial blackwall even when the car still uses a 15-inch wheel. Buyers looking for a traditional MG appearance should compare the overall style of the tire, not just the absence or presence of a whitewall or stripe.

Tires for the 1952 MG Midget are available from Excelsior, Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. Excelsior covers the 550-15 bias-ply fitment, while the 155R15 radial size is available across several series from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein.

That variety gives buyers room to choose by construction first and then narrow the field by brand and tire series. On the radial side, the selection spans familiar vintage-oriented names such as Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Firestone F560 Radial, Avon CR6ZZ, and Vredestein Sprint Classic or Snow Classic. The most useful comparison points are size, wheel compatibility, intended use, and the type of presentation you want on the car.

For a period-style 1952 MG Midget, the 550-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point. It uses the traditional numeric bias-ply format associated with the car's era and gives the MG the kind of tire construction many owners want when preserving a more historically consistent visual character.

That does not automatically make every bias-ply product historically exact for every restored car, but it does place the car in the right visual and construction family. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photography, and restoration records. For owners balancing appearance with radial construction, a bias-look radial equivalent can also be worth considering.

Tire construction has a noticeable effect on the look of a restored 1952 MG Midget. A 550-15 bias-ply supports a more traditional early-1950s sports-car presentation, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style metric format even though it keeps the same 15-inch wheel diameter and blackwall sidewall treatment.

That visual difference matters on a small, upright British roadster where the tire sits prominently in the overall stance of the car. Owners who want a restoration-oriented look often start by deciding whether the car should read as authentically period in construction or simply vintage in appearance. The right answer depends on the restoration goal, not on looks alone.

Yes. Even though the 1952 MG Midget uses 15-inch tire fitments, modifications can change whether a chosen tire remains suitable. Replacement wheels, altered rim widths, suspension changes, steering components, or body repairs can all influence how a 550-15 bias-ply or 155R15 radial sits and clears the car.

That is especially important on an older sports car that may have seen decades of maintenance and parts substitution. The safest approach is to inspect the actual wheel diameter and width, then check clearance at full steering lock and through suspension movement. A car that has been lowered, widened, or fitted with aftermarket wheels deserves a closer look before any tire change.

Before driving a 1952 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter, width, and general condition. The tires themselves should be checked for proper inflation, secure bead seating where applicable, and any signs of shipping damage. Lug hardware, valve stems, and basic brake and suspension condition also deserve attention.

Older collector cars often reveal unrelated issues once fresh tires are installed. A worn steering component, weak shock absorber, or bent wheel can affect how the car behaves regardless of tire choice. After installation, it is smart to recheck air pressure, listen for rubbing, and confirm the tires clear the fenders and suspension through turns and normal road movement.

Tires on a collector 1952 MG Midget should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven tread wear. Because many cars of this type are driven infrequently, tire age and storage conditions matter just as much as tread depth. Long idle periods can be hard on both bias-ply and radial tires.

Consistent inflation and careful storage help preserve the tire and the driving experience. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can reduce premature aging. It also helps to look over the tires before each outing, since a car that spends most of its life in the garage can still develop flat spotting, air loss, or age-related deterioration.