1952 MG Tires

The 1952 MG uses two 15-inch tire sizes: 560-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. For TD and TF applications, those sizes represent two different fitment approaches rather than two different wheel diameters, since both are built for a 15-inch rim.

That means the real choice is deciding how the car will be used and presented. A 560-15 bias-ply keeps the more traditional vintage sizing style, while 155R15 moves into a classic Euro-metric radial format. Before choosing either path, confirm the actual wheels on the car and check that no previous owner changed wheel width or suspension height.

The primary tire sizes for a 1952 MG are both built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 560-15 bias-ply fitment and the 155R15 radial fitment, so rim diameter does not change between the two main size choices.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, especially on a lightly modified collector car. The next step is checking actual wheel width, because product options within these sizes can call for slightly different rim-width ranges. A wheel that is still 15 inches in diameter may still need closer scrutiny if it is aftermarket, widened, or otherwise different from a traditional MG wheel.

Yes. The covered 1952 MG TD and TF applications share the same two 15-inch tire-size paths: 560-15 in bias-ply form and 155R15 in radial form. That keeps fitment straightforward at the sub-model level because the basic size choice does not change within that grouping.

Since sub-model fitment is shared, tire selection becomes more about construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility. Buyers can concentrate on whether the car should wear a period-style bias-ply or a radial alternative, then compare sidewall treatment, tire series, and rim-width requirements within that selected size rather than sorting through different TD-versus-TF tire diameters.

For the 1952 MG, 560-15 is the numeric bias-ply fitment. The size uses the older inch-based numeric convention, and it is offered in bias-ply construction across traditional blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

That matters because a 560-15 bias-ply gives the car a distinctly vintage tire profile and appearance. Owners comparing it to a radial should remember that construction change is a separate decision from size alone. Wheel width, overall package dimensions, and the car’s current steering and suspension condition should all be reviewed before moving away from the bias-ply setup.

Two radial-equivalent choices are associated with 560-15. The first is 155R15, which is the 80-series metric radial equivalent. The second is 560R15, which is the bias-look radial equivalent for buyers who want a radial construction with a more traditional visual presentation.

Those options are not interchangeable by assumption simply because they share a relationship to 560-15. The recommended rim-width range for the equivalent path is 4 to 5 inches, and the car’s wheel width, tire-to-body clearance, and overall setup still deserve a careful check. That is especially important on an older MG that may have seen wheel or suspension changes over time.

Either can be appropriate for a 1952 MG, depending on the goal for the car. A 560-15 bias-ply keeps the original-style sizing format and a more traditional appearance, while 155R15 gives the car a radial-format alternative in a classic Euro-metric size.

The better choice depends on whether the car is being finished with a restoration-oriented look or prepared for more frequent road use with a radial setup. Construction changes can affect the overall feel of the car, so the decision should include wheel-width confirmation, tire clearance checks, and a look at suspension and steering condition rather than focusing on size code alone.

Start with the correct size and construction for the direction you want to take the car. A 560-15 bias-ply suits a more traditional period-style presentation, while 155R15 opens up a broad radial selection in a classic European sizing format on the same 15-inch rim diameter.

After that, compare practical details within the chosen size: rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, brand, tire series, and any load figures shown with their associated inflation pressures. A collector MG that is mostly shown may call for a different look than one driven regularly, so appearance and intended use should be weighed alongside basic fitment.

The available sidewall styles for 1952 MG tires depend on which size you choose. In 155R15 radial form, the options are blackwall. In 560-15 bias-ply form, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are all available.

That gives the buyer a meaningful appearance decision without changing rim diameter. Blackwall choices tend to keep the presentation simple and sporting, while narrow and wide whitewalls create a more decorative period look. The safest approach is to pick the sidewall style after deciding whether the car should remain bias-ply or move to a radial, since the appearance choices differ by construction.

The 1952 MG has tire options from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. The brand mix varies by size, with 155R15 focused on radial offerings and 560-15 centered on bias-ply choices, including blackwall and whitewall versions.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It makes more sense to narrow the selection by size, construction, and the look you want first, then compare tire series and wheel-width requirements within that group. That keeps the process grounded in actual fitment needs instead of treating all brands or all 15-inch tires as though they serve the same purpose.

For a period-style 1952 MG, the 560-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and the traditional bias-ply appearance. Within that size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions provide different visual directions for the finished car.

That does not automatically make every sidewall treatment equally appropriate for every restoration goal. If exact historical presentation matters, compare the tire choice against marque-club guidance, period photography, and other vehicle-specific references. Once the general appearance direction is settled, the remaining decision becomes which sidewall style and brand best match the car’s intended look.

Tire construction changes more than just how the size is written on the sidewall. On a restored 1952 MG, a 560-15 bias-ply generally supports the more traditional vintage presentation, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style metric radial look even though it remains appropriate to the same 15-inch wheel diameter.

That visual difference can matter on an open British sports car where tire profile and sidewall character are easy to notice. Buyers trying to preserve a restoration-oriented appearance often start with the bias-ply size, then decide whether blackwall or whitewall best suits the build. Owners prioritizing road use may still prefer a radial, but should weigh that choice against the car’s finished look.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1952 MG even when the size itself is correct on paper. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, changed offsets, lowered suspension, replacement springs, or body repairs can all influence how a 560-15 or 155R15 tire sits in the wheel opening.

That is why an older MG should be checked as it exists today rather than assumed to match a stock setup. Measure the actual wheel diameter and width, then inspect steering lock clearance, fender space, and suspension travel. A car with decades of changes behind it can require closer verification before switching between bias-ply and radial fitment paths.

Before driving a 1952 MG on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct 15-inch diameter, proper width, and any signs of damage or poor bead-seat condition. It also makes sense to look over the suspension, steering components, and alignment condition so the new tires are not being asked to mask unrelated mechanical issues.

The tires themselves should be checked for correct inflation, secure mounting, and adequate clearance at full steering lock. On a collector car, it is also wise to inspect brake function, wheel fasteners, and any signs of rubbing once the car is back on the ground. A short test drive followed by a second visual inspection is a sensible final step.

Collector-car tires on a 1952 MG should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even when tread wear is minimal. Whether the car wears 560-15 bias-ply tires or 155R15 radials, cracks, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and unexplained air loss deserve prompt attention.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a lightly used MG. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excess heat, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Rotating use, moving the car occasionally, and checking sidewalls before each outing are simple habits that help protect both appearance and roadworthiness.