1955 MG MGA Tires

The 1955 MG MGA uses two primary tire sizes: 560-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both sizes are associated with 15-inch rims, so the main fitment question is not rim diameter but which construction and tire style best match the car’s setup and intended use.

That choice affects both appearance and driving feel. A 560-15 keeps the car in a traditional numeric bias-ply format, while 155R15 moves to a Euro-metric radial format with more radial product choices. Before selecting either one, confirm the wheel width actually on the car and make sure any prior wheel or suspension changes have not altered clearance.

The tire fitments for a 1955 MG MGA use a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to both of the supported sizes, 560-15 and 155R15, so the rim-diameter question is consistent even though the car can be fitted with either bias-ply or radial construction.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, especially on a small sports car. Wheel width still matters, particularly if the car has replacement wheels or a non-stock setup. Checking the actual wheel dimensions before ordering helps prevent problems with bead seating, sidewall shape, and clearance at full steering lock.

560-15 is a vintage numeric bias-ply size. The 560 refers to an approximate 5.60-inch nominal section-width class, and the 15 indicates a 15-inch rim. On a 1955 MG MGA, that size represents the traditional bias-ply fitment rather than a modern metric or P-metric radial format.

Understanding that format helps when comparing tire options, because the number does not work like a modern radial size code. Within 560-15, the more meaningful differences are sidewall style, brand, and series rather than the size itself. It is also the size that can be compared against radial alternatives such as 155R15 when construction choice becomes part of the decision.

On the 1955 MG MGA, 560-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system and is distinct from the car’s 155R15 radial fitment, which uses a Euro-metric radial format on the same 15-inch rim diameter.

That distinction matters because a buyer is not just choosing a size code but also choosing a construction type. Bias-ply tires support a more traditional look and feel, while radial alternatives change the tire’s construction even if the overall fitment remains close. Wheel width, clearance, and the car’s current setup should always be checked before moving from one construction type to another.

The radial equivalents for 560-15 are 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 is an equivalent 80-series metric radial, while 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent for owners who want a more traditional visual presentation than a modern-looking metric sidewall may provide.

Those two options serve slightly different purposes even though both are radial alternatives. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to the equivalents, which makes wheel verification especially important. It is smart to compare the actual wheel width on the car and then confirm body, steering, and suspension clearance before treating either size as a suitable conversion.

Start by confirming the wheel diameter and actual wheel width on the car, then compare the intended radial size against the bias-ply fitment being replaced. For a 1955 MG MGA moving away from 560-15, the available radial-equivalent path includes 155R15 or a 560R15 bias-look radial, both of which still need to match the wheel and vehicle setup.

A conversion is also a good time to inspect suspension condition, steering travel, and fender clearance, especially if the car has older components or has been modified over the years. Radials can change the way the car sits and responds, so it helps to consider whether the goal is vintage presentation, regular road use, or a balance of both.

The first decision is whether the car should stay with 560-15 bias-ply tires or move to 155R15 radial tires. Both fit a 15-inch rim, but they represent different construction types, sizing systems, and visual character. From there, brand, tire series, sidewall style, and wheel-width compatibility become the main comparison points.

A restoration-minded MGA may lean toward the traditional bias-ply route, while a driver-focused car may call for one of the available radial choices. It also helps to think about how the car is actually used, whether that is occasional local driving, show presentation, or longer road use. Matching the tire to the car’s purpose usually leads to a better result than focusing on size alone.

Sidewall style depends on which tire size and construction you choose. The 155R15 radial options are offered in blackwall form, while the 560-15 bias-ply options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall choices. That gives the 1955 MG MGA owner a meaningful appearance decision even before comparing brands.

A blackwall usually suits a restrained sports-car presentation, while whitewall choices create a more stylized vintage look. The right answer depends on how the car is being presented rather than on a single universal rule. Owners chasing exact restoration detail should compare the selected sidewall treatment against period photography or marque-specific documentation before settling on a look.

Tires for the 1955 MG MGA are available from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Brand availability depends on the tire size and construction you choose, with the radial 155R15 selection centered on Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, while 560-15 bias-ply choices include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac.

Brand alone should not drive the decision. It is more useful to compare the correct size first, then look at tire series, sidewall treatment, rim-width compatibility, and whether the goal is traditional appearance or radial construction. Once those priorities are clear, the brand choices make more sense within the specific fitment the car is actually going to use.

For a period-style 1955 MG MGA, the 560-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional bias-ply construction associated with the car’s era. Within that size, choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions from several brands and series.

The best selection depends on how closely the car is being restored and what visual impression you want it to give. A simple blackwall keeps the presentation restrained, while whitewall treatments create a more pronounced vintage look. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking period photos, marque-club references, or restoration records before choosing a sidewall treatment.

Tire construction affects appearance because a 560-15 bias-ply and a 155R15 radial do not present the same visual character, even though both fit 15-inch rims. On a restored 1955 MG MGA, the bias-ply option supports a more traditional period-style presentation, while the radial option introduces a more modern construction and sidewall format.

That does not automatically make one choice right and the other wrong. A car restored primarily for show or historical character may favor the bias-ply route, while a car restored for regular road use may justify a radial approach. The important thing is to choose intentionally so the tire construction matches the car’s overall restoration goals rather than fighting them.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1955 MG MGA even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all influence how a 560-15 or 155R15 tire sits in the wheel opening and clears surrounding components.

That is why the car should be checked as it exists now, not only as it may have left the factory. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the actual wheel dimensions matter more once a car has been changed over time. A collector car that has gone through several owners often benefits from a full wheel-and-tire inspection before new tires are selected.

Before driving a 1955 MG MGA on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm lug hardware and valve stems are in good shape, and make sure the tires are inflated appropriately for the application. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components on a car of this age before any meaningful road use.

A short test drive should include careful attention to rubbing, vibration, pull, or unusual steering feel. After that first drive, recheck pressure and look for any signs of contact around the inner fenders or suspension. Collector sports cars often spend long periods parked, so even newly installed tires deserve a second inspection once the car is back in motion.

Collector-car tires on a 1955 MG MGA should be inspected regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of age-related hardening. That applies whether the car runs 560-15 bias-ply tires or 155R15 radials, because low annual mileage does not prevent deterioration caused by time and storage conditions.

Storage habits matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used sports car. Keeping the MGA away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, excessive heat, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition between drives. It also helps to inspect the tires before every outing, since a collector car can sit for weeks and develop issues that were not visible on the previous drive.