1955 MG Midget Tires

The 1955 MG Midget uses two recognized tire sizes: 550-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both sizes are tied to the TF 1500 application and both use a 15-inch rim, so the main fitment decision is not wheel diameter but whether the car will stay with a traditional bias-ply tire or use a radial-format alternative.

That choice affects the tire's look, construction style, and the range of products available. A 550-15 keeps the car in a more traditional numeric bias-ply format, while 155R15 opens up several classic-style radial choices. Before selecting either path, confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car in case earlier restoration work or later wheel changes altered the setup.

The applicable tire sizes for a 1955 MG Midget both use a 15-inch rim diameter. That is true for the 550-15 bias-ply fitment and for the 155R15 radial fitment, so the car's tire choices stay within the same basic wheel diameter even when construction changes.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture on a small British sports car. Wheel width also matters, especially when comparing the narrow bias-ply option with radial alternatives that call for different rim-width ranges. Measuring the wheel before ordering is worthwhile, particularly on a collector MG that may have replacement wheels or a long restoration history.

Yes. The covered 1955 MG Midget TF 1500 uses the same two tire-size paths for this application: 550-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. That keeps sub-model fitment simple because the TF 1500 does not split into separate tire sizes within this page's covered configuration.

The practical question becomes which construction best suits the car and the way it is used. Owners focused on vintage presentation often stay with 550-15, while those wanting a radial-format option often look at 155R15. It still helps to confirm the current wheels on the car, since many older MGs have seen wheel substitutions over time.

On a 1955 MG Midget, 550-15 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric bias-ply sizing format, with 5.50 representing the nominal width family and 15 identifying the rim diameter. That makes it the traditional construction choice for owners who want the car to retain a period-style tire format.

Choosing 550-15 keeps the car in its vintage construction type, but it also narrows product choice compared with the radial side of the fitment. If the MG already has later replacement wheels, verify the actual wheel width before staying with or moving away from bias-ply construction so the tire and rim combination remains appropriate.

Radial equivalents for 550-15 include 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent. Those options give a 1955 MG Midget owner two different ways to move from the original-style bias-ply format into radial construction without changing the wheel diameter.

The distinction matters because the two radial choices are not simply different labels for the same buying decision. A 155R15 follows a Euro-metric radial format, while 560R15 is intended to retain a more traditional visual character. A 4- to 5-inch recommended rim-width range applies to the radial alternatives, and clearance should be checked before conversion.

That depends on what matters most for the car. A 550-15 bias-ply keeps the 1955 MG Midget in a traditional vintage construction, while 155R15 provides a radial-format fitment on the same 15-inch rim. Both are valid directions for this application, but they serve different priorities in appearance, driving feel, and product selection.

Restoration-minded owners often lean toward the bias-ply route because it preserves the period-style look and construction. Owners planning more regular road use may prefer the broader radial selection available in 155R15. The safest approach is to match the tire choice to the car's use, then verify wheel width, current suspension condition, and available clearance before making the change.

Start with the correct size and construction path for the car: 550-15 if the goal is a traditional bias-ply fitment, or 155R15 if a radial-format tire is preferred. From there, compare wheel compatibility, tire series, brand, and any available load-related specifications that matter for how the MG will actually be driven.

A light vintage sports car is especially sensitive to tire choice, so appearance and use should guide the final selection. A restoration-focused car may benefit from the traditional look of the bias-ply option, while a road-use car may call for one of the available blackwall radial series. Wheel width deserves special attention before choosing between the two.

The 1955 MG Midget has tire options from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, and Excelsior. Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein appear in the 155R15 radial fitment, while Excelsior covers the 550-15 bias-ply size. That split makes brand choice closely tied to whether the car stays bias-ply or moves to a radial.

Brand comparison only matters after the correct size and construction have been settled. Once that is clear, the product grid can be used to compare differences in tire series, rim-width compatibility, and load-related specifications. Since all of the available products are blackwall designs, the bigger visual decision on this MG is usually construction rather than sidewall style.

The 155R15 radial fitment includes several distinct series: Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. The 550-15 bias-ply option is represented by the Excelsior Bias Ply series. Those series names help separate the available tires within the correct size family.

Series choice matters because it shapes the kind of radial or bias-ply presentation the car receives, even when the sidewall remains blackwall. A buyer comparing these options should look past the name alone and check the size, construction, and wheel-width compatibility that apply to the MG. That keeps the decision grounded in fitment rather than brand familiarity.

For a period-style 1955 MG Midget, the 550-15 bias-ply size is the most traditional starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and bias-ply construction. That combination generally suits owners who want the TF 1500 to keep a more historically appropriate tire character rather than moving immediately to a modern radial convention.

A 155R15 radial can still be a sensible choice for a classic driver, but it changes both the construction type and the visual language of the tire. When originality matters at a higher level, it is wise to compare the chosen tire against marque-club guidance, period photography, and restoration records so the finished look stays consistent with the car's intended presentation.

Tire construction changes the way a restored 1955 MG Midget presents itself even before the car moves. A 550-15 bias-ply keeps the traditional vintage sizing style and reinforces a more original-era look, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later metric-style format that can subtly change the car's visual character.

On a small sports car with narrow fenders and exposed wheel openings, those visual differences are easy to notice. Buyers pursuing a restoration-oriented finish often start by deciding whether they want traditional construction or a radial compromise. Since the available options here are blackwall tires, construction becomes one of the main appearance choices rather than sidewall treatment.

Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 1955 MG Midget even when the nominal size remains 550-15 or 155R15. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, and body or fender work can all affect how much room the tire has and whether the wheel properly supports the chosen construction.

A modified MG should be measured rather than assumed to match stock fitment. Check actual rim diameter and width, then look at steering clearance, suspension travel, and any signs of rubbing at full lock or compression. That matters even more when changing from bias-ply to radial construction, because wheel compatibility becomes a larger part of the decision.

Before driving a 1955 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure each tire is seated properly, and confirm that there is adequate clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering components. Tire pressure should also be checked carefully before the first drive rather than assumed from a previous setup.

The rest of the car deserves attention too, especially on a collector MG that may sit for long periods. Look over suspension bushings, steering joints, brake condition, and wheel fasteners so the new tires are not masking another issue. A slow local test drive is a smart final check for pull, vibration, or any contact under turning or braking.

Tires on a collector 1955 MG Midget should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and signs of slow air loss. Even a lightly driven car can age its tires through time, storage conditions, and long stationary periods, so tread depth alone is not enough to judge service condition.

Storage habits make a real difference on vintage rubber. Keep the MG away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors or welders, and move the car periodically if it sits for extended stretches. Before any longer drive, recheck pressures and give the sidewalls a close look so age-related problems are caught early.