The 1956 MG Midget sits in the heart of postwar British sports-car culture, where light weight, simple mechanical character, and nimble road manners mattered more than brute power. For many owners, the TF 1500 represents the final expression of MG’s traditional T-series formula before the marque moved in a more modern direction. Tire choice on the 1956 MG Midget centers on two 15-inch fitments: a 550-15 bias-ply size and a 155R15 radial alternative. That gives buyers a clear path toward either a more traditional period-style look or a radial setup drawn from classic European tire lines. The right decision depends on wheel compatibility, intended use, and how closely the car should reflect a restoration-oriented presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1956 MG Midget
The 1956 MG Midget uses two 15-inch tire sizes, and the difference is tied mainly to construction choice rather than wheel diameter. The TF 1500 can be fitted with a traditional 550-15 bias-ply or a 155R15 radial, so the first step is deciding whether the car should keep a more period-style bias-ply presentation or move to a classic radial format with the proper wheel and clearance checks.
A 155R15 uses a 155-millimeter nominal section width, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. In this format, the aspect ratio is not written into the size, and it is commonly treated as an 80-series style radial. On a 1956 MG Midget, this size suits owners looking at established classic radial choices from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein, all offered here in blackwall form across several tire series. It is worth evaluating when road use, traditional European radial sizing, and wheel-width compatibility are central to the decision.
A 550-15 is a numeric bias-ply size in which the 5.50 designation refers to nominal section width in inches and the 15 indicates rim diameter. This is the traditional bias-ply format associated with many mid-century sports cars and gives the 1956 MG Midget a distinctly period-style tire presentation. Available options in this size include a blackwall Excelsior bias-ply tire. It is the size to examine closely when maintaining an earlier driving feel, narrower wheel fitment, and a restoration-oriented appearance matters more than moving to a radial alternative.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1956 MG Midget TF 1500 uses the same two tire-size paths. Checking the exact sub-model still matters, since the real choice is whether the car stays with the 550-15 bias-ply fitment or moves to the 155R15 radial format.
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1956 MG Midget TF 1500
The 1956 MG Midget TF 1500 can use either the 550-15 bias-ply size or the 155R15 radial size, both on 15-inch rims. That gives the TF 1500 owner a clear choice between a more traditional bias-ply presentation and a classic radial setup that should be checked against wheel width and overall vehicle setup.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1956 MG Midget
For the 1956 MG Midget, the original 550-15 bias-ply size has two radial-equivalent options. 155R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent. The 155R15 moves the car into a classic Euro-metric radial format, while 560R15 is aimed at retaining a more traditional visual character. A 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and clearance should all be confirmed before changing construction.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (550-15)
560R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (550-15)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1956 MG Midget Tires for Sale
Available 1956 MG Midget tires span both the 550-15 bias-ply and 155R15 radial sizes. Buyers can compare blackwall options from Excelsior, Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein across several classic tire series, with meaningful differences in construction and rim-width compatibility.
Owners of a 1956 MG Midget usually want clarity on tire size, 15-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, and how those decisions affect appearance and road use. These answers focus on the TF 1500 and the tire options associated with it.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1956 MG Midget?
The 1956 MG Midget uses two recognized 15-inch tire sizes: 550-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. On the covered TF 1500 sub-model, those two sizes represent the main fitment paths rather than two unrelated wheel diameters.
That means the first decision is not simply picking any 15-inch tire. The better approach is to confirm whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply setup or using a classic radial format, then check the actual wheel width on the car before selecting a tire within that size.
What size rim does a 1956 MG Midget use?
The tire fitments associated with the 1956 MG Midget use a 15-inch rim diameter. Both the 550-15 bias-ply size and the 155R15 radial size are built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter, so the rim diameter itself stays consistent across the available fitment choices.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though. Wheel width also matters, especially when comparing the narrower bias-ply fitment with the radial alternatives, so it is smart to measure the actual wheels on the car rather than assuming every 15-inch wheel is equally suitable.
Does the 1956 MG Midget TF 1500 use the same tire size?
The 1956 MG Midget TF 1500 is associated with the same two tire-size options used on this application: 550-15 in bias-ply form and 155R15 in radial form. The fitment choice is therefore consistent within the covered TF 1500 sub-model rather than split into different rim-diameter groups.
For the buyer, that simplifies the search. Instead of chasing multiple sub-model-only sizes, the focus should shift to construction, wheel-width suitability, and the kind of appearance and road behavior expected from the car after the tires are installed.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 550-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1956 MG Midget?
On a 1956 MG Midget, 550-15 is the bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing format, and in this application it represents the traditional period-style construction choice for the TF 1500 rather than a radial tire.
That matters because a bias-ply tire affects both appearance and setup choices. Buyers considering 550-15 should confirm that the car still has wheels suited to that narrower bias-ply fitment and decide whether preserving the traditional look and construction is more important than moving to a radial alternative.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 550-15?
Two radial-equivalent sizes are associated with 550-15 on the 1956 MG Midget. A 155R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, and a 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent for owners who want a radial format with a more traditional visual presentation.
Those two options are not the same type of alternative, even though both are radial-based choices. The 155R15 follows classic Euro-metric sizing, while the 560R15 is intended to preserve more of the bias-era look, so wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance should be checked before converting.
What should I check before converting my 1956 MG Midget from bias-ply to radial tires?
A conversion from 550-15 bias-ply to a radial option such as 155R15 starts with the wheels. Rim diameter remains 15 inches, but the actual wheel width on the car should be confirmed, since the radial choices and the original-style bias-ply tire do not share the same ideal wheel-width range.
Clearance around the fenders and steering should also be checked, especially on an older sports car that may have replacement wheels, suspension wear, or past modifications. A careful comparison of the tire size, wheel suitability, and intended road use is more useful than assuming any radial equivalent automatically belongs on the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1956 MG Midget?
Start with the main fitment choice: 550-15 bias-ply or 155R15 radial. That decision shapes the car’s visual character, the wheel-width range that makes sense, and the pool of available tires, since the radial side includes several classic European-style offerings while the bias-ply side stays more traditional.
After size and construction, compare the details that affect real use. A road-driven MG may call for one set of priorities, while a restoration-oriented car may call for another, so sidewall style, tire series, rim-width suitability, and overall presentation deserve as much attention as the size itself.
What brands offer tires for the 1956 MG Midget?
Tires for the 1956 MG Midget are available here from Excelsior, Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. Excelsior covers the 550-15 bias-ply fitment, while the 155R15 radial size opens the door to several classic radial lines from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein.
Brand selection matters mainly because it shapes the kinds of tire series available within the correct size and construction. The useful comparison is not brand prestige, but whether a given tire matches the car’s wheel setup, intended use, and the traditional or radial appearance the owner wants.
What tire series are available for the 1956 MG Midget?
The 1956 MG Midget can be fitted with several distinct tire series, especially in 155R15 radial form. Radial choices include Firestone F560 Radial, Michelin X, Michelin XAS, Michelin XAS-FF, Avon CR6ZZ, Vredestein Snow Classic, and Vredestein Sprint Classic, while the 550-15 bias-ply option appears in the Excelsior Bias Ply series.
Those series differences matter because they help separate traditional touring-style presentations from more specialized classic radial choices. Once the correct size and construction are settled, comparing series can help narrow the selection to the tire that best matches the MG’s intended appearance and road use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1956 MG Midget?
For a period-style 1956 MG Midget, the 550-15 bias-ply size is the most traditional starting point. Its numeric sizing and bias-ply construction align closely with the visual language many owners want on a T-series MG, especially when the goal is a restoration-oriented presentation rather than a modernized road setup.
That does not mean every restored car must use bias-ply tires. Some owners choose 155R15 radials for road use while still preserving a classic blackwall appearance, so the final decision should balance authenticity goals, wheel compatibility, and how the car will actually be driven.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1956 MG Midget?
Tire construction changes the visual impression of a restored 1956 MG Midget more than many buyers expect. A 550-15 bias-ply generally gives the car a more traditional, upright mid-century sports-car look, while a 155R15 radial reads as a later classic-tire presentation even when the sidewall remains blackwall.
That visual difference is one reason construction choice matters in restoration planning. Buyers pursuing a historically faithful appearance often begin with the bias-ply size, while those blending vintage character with road use may compare radial options carefully and confirm their wheel setup before making the change.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1956 MG Midget?
Yes, modifications can change tire fitment on a 1956 MG Midget even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, ride-height changes, or body repairs can all affect how a 550-15 bias-ply or 155R15 radial sits within the available space.
That is especially important on a compact vintage sports car, where small changes can matter. A car with non-original wheels or steering components should be checked for inside clearance, outer fender clearance, and turning room before settling on a bias-ply tire or a radial equivalent.
What should I inspect before driving a 1956 MG Midget on new tires?
Before driving a 1956 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, confirm that the tires seat properly, and check inflation carefully. It also helps to look over steering and suspension components, since worn parts can affect how a narrow vintage tire tracks and clears.
A short initial road test is a smart follow-up. Listen for rubbing, watch for unusual pull or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first drive so the car is not judged solely by appearance when what really matters is how the complete wheel-and-tire package behaves.
How should 550-15 or 155R15 tires on a collector 1956 MG Midget be maintained?
Collector-car tires on a 1956 MG Midget should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and slow air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Both 550-15 bias-ply tires and 155R15 radials can age out long before the tread is used up on a low-mileage classic.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and regular pressure checks are worthwhile because an older car that sits often can develop problems that are easy to miss between drives.
