1955 MG Tires

The 1955 MG uses two primary tire sizes: 560-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both fitments use a 15-inch rim, and both apply to the MG TD & TF coverage here, so the main difference is the tire format and construction rather than wheel diameter.

That means the first step is deciding whether the car should stay with a traditional bias-ply presentation or move to a radial setup. Checking the actual wheels on the car still matters, especially if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels over the years.

The applicable tire sizes for a 1955 MG both use a 15-inch rim diameter. That is true for the 560-15 bias-ply fitment and the 155R15 radial fitment, so rim diameter does not change between the two primary size paths covered for this vehicle.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, though. Wheel width should also be checked before choosing between available tires, especially when moving from bias-ply to radial construction, because the same 15-inch diameter does not automatically mean every wheel and tire combination will suit the car the same way.

Yes. The 1955 MG TD & TF share the same covered tire-size choices: 560-15 bias-ply and 155R15 radial, both on 15-inch rims. There is no sub-model split here that forces one size on TD and a different size on TF within this fitment grouping.

That keeps sub-model verification simple and shifts the buying decision toward construction and appearance. A restoration-minded car may stay with 560-15 for a more traditional look, while a driver-oriented setup may lead you toward 155R15, provided the wheel width and overall vehicle setup are confirmed first.

560-15 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1955 MG. It is the vintage numeric sizing format associated with a traditional construction and appearance, and it remains available in several period-style presentations including blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

That matters because choosing 560-15 keeps the car closer to its original-era tire character. Owners considering a change to radial construction should treat that as a separate fitment decision, then confirm wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance rather than assuming that any radial alternative behaves or presents exactly the same.

Two radial-equivalent sizes are available for 560-15: 155R15 as an 80-series metric radial equivalent and 560R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. The first uses Euro-metric radial sizing, while the second is intended to preserve more of the traditional bias-ply visual character while using radial construction.

Those equivalents give you two distinct paths rather than one automatic substitute. A 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with the conversion, and it is still important to compare the vehicle's wheel setup, tire dimensions, and available clearance before moving away from the original numeric bias-ply size.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car, then compare the intended radial size against the existing 560-15 setup. For this MG, 155R15 and 560R15 are the relevant radial-equivalent directions, but each should be treated as an alternative that needs proper wheel and vehicle verification.

Steering clearance, fender clearance, suspension condition, and overall tire dimensions all deserve attention before making the change. It also helps to decide whether the goal is a traditional restored appearance or a radial road-use setup, since that choice often determines whether a standard metric radial or a bias-look radial makes more sense.

The main decision is whether the car should run a 560-15 bias-ply tire or a 155R15 radial tire. Both use a 15-inch rim, but they differ in construction, sizing format, and the way they support a period-style restoration versus a more modernized road-use approach.

After size and construction are settled, compare rim-width compatibility, tire series, sidewall appearance, and any load information attached to the specific tire. A collector car that prioritizes vintage presentation may point one way, while a frequently driven MG may justify a different choice once the wheel and clearance details are confirmed.

Sidewall choice depends on the tire size and construction you select. The 560-15 bias-ply range includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options, while the 155R15 radial choices here are blackwall tires across several classic series from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein.

That gives the 560-15 fitment a wider appearance spread for restoration-oriented buyers, especially if whitewall styling matters to the finished look. The practical step is to match the sidewall treatment to the car's overall presentation while keeping the correct size, wheel compatibility, and intended use ahead of purely visual preference.

The 1955 MG has tire choices from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Brand availability depends on the size path you choose, with the 155R15 radial group centered on Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, and the 560-15 bias-ply group including Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac.

Brand alone should not drive the decision. It makes more sense to narrow the search by correct size, construction, sidewall style, tire series, and wheel compatibility first, then compare the available brand options within that group to suit the car's appearance goals and how it will actually be used.

For a period-style 1955 MG, the 560-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric format and the traditional tire profile associated with the car's era. It is also available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, which broadens the visual choices within that older construction style.

That does not make every 560-15 version historically exact for every car, so buyers chasing strict originality should compare their choice with marque references and restoration documentation. For most owners, the key is deciding how authentic the tire's construction and sidewall presentation need to look once the car is standing still and in motion.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1955 MG more than many buyers expect. A 560-15 bias-ply keeps the car in a distinctly vintage sizing format, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style metric presentation even though it still fits the same 15-inch wheel diameter.

That difference becomes more noticeable when the car is viewed from the side, especially alongside wheel finish, ride height, and sidewall treatment. Owners who want radial construction without moving as far from a traditional look may also consider a 560R15 bias-look radial, while still verifying the wheel and clearance setup carefully.

Yes. Even when a 1955 MG is using one of the correct 15-inch tire sizes, modifications can change how well that size suits the car. Replacement wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, brake upgrades, or body and fender work can all influence the available space and the way a tire sits on the vehicle.

A car that has been restored over many decades should never be judged by model year alone. Measuring the actual wheel setup and checking steering and fender clearance at full lock and full suspension movement helps prevent problems, especially when moving between 560-15 bias-ply and 155R15 radial construction.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm lug hardware condition, and make sure the new tires match the intended size and construction for the car. It also helps to check inflation pressure, valve stems, visible tread condition, and that there is no rubbing at the fenders or steering components.

A short test drive should be followed by another visual inspection, especially on an older sports car with recent tire changes. Freshly mounted tires can reveal clearance issues that were not obvious at rest, and a second check gives you a chance to catch air loss, contact marks, or mounting problems early.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even if the 1955 MG is driven only occasionally. Watch for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, and keep inflation set appropriately for the tire and the car's use rather than assuming low annual mileage protects the tires from aging.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use on a mid-1950s MG. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car periodically can reduce flat-spotting concerns on both bias-ply and radial constructions.