The 1957 Morgan Plus 4 came from a period when British sports cars were still light, direct, and deeply mechanical in character, and Morgan’s long-running prewar-style chassis gave the Plus 4 a personality all its own. Its appeal today rests as much in that stripped-down driving feel as in its hand-built tradition. For this exact car, the primary fitment centers on a 500-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. Available choices in that size lean toward a purposeful blackwall presentation through Firestone’s Dirt Track series. That makes size accuracy, wheel compatibility, and intended road use especially important before putting the car back into service.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1957 Morgan Plus 4
The 1957 Morgan Plus 4 uses one primary tire size: 500-16. It is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the same size applies to the covered Base sub-model. With only one primary size to sort out, the real decision is choosing the right tire style within 500-16 and confirming that the car still has the wheel setup and use case that suit this traditional fitment.
A 500-16 size uses the older numeric bias-ply system, where the 500 designates an approximate 5.00-inch nominal section width and the 16 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1957 Morgan Plus 4, that sizing aligns with the car’s traditional bias-ply fitment and narrow 16-inch wheel layout. In available form, this size appears as a Firestone Dirt Track tire with a blackwall sidewall and ribbed front design in the Dirt Track series. It is best evaluated by owners who want to stay with the original sizing convention and confirm that their wheel width and intended use match the tire’s specifications.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1957 Morgan Plus 4. The covered Base model uses the same 500-16 bias-ply tire, so the key step is confirming that the car still retains the correct 16-inch wheel arrangement rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes.
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1957 Morgan Plus 4 Base
The 1957 Morgan Plus 4 Base uses the same 500-16 bias-ply tire fitment as the model core. That keeps tire selection focused on choosing the right period-style size and confirming wheel compatibility, sidewall appearance, and intended use before mounting a replacement.
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 1957 Morgan Plus 4 Tires for Sale
Available 500-16 choices for the 1957 Morgan Plus 4 focus on bias-ply construction rather than a broad mix of sizes or styles. The current offering centers on Firestone’s Dirt Track series in a blackwall presentation, with selection driven mainly by wheel-width compatibility and the tire’s intended use.
Owners researching 1957 Morgan Plus 4 tires usually need clear answers on 500-16 sizing, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, appearance, and the checks worth making before road use on a lightly driven collector car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1957 Morgan Plus 4?
The 1957 Morgan Plus 4 uses a 500-16 tire size. That is a numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and it is the primary fitment for this model.
That answer gives the size, but it is still worth confirming the car’s actual wheel setup before replacing tires. Many collector cars have seen wheel changes over the years, and a Plus 4 with altered wheels, brakes, or suspension should be checked carefully so the replacement tire matches the rim diameter, wheel width, and available clearance.
What size rim does a 1957 Morgan Plus 4 use?
The 1957 Morgan Plus 4 uses a 16-inch rim with its 500-16 tire fitment. That rim diameter is part of the tire size itself, with the final number in 500-16 indicating the wheel diameter in inches.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a narrow vintage tire. It also helps to confirm the wheel width before choosing a tire, since collector cars sometimes carry replacement wheels that differ from the original setup. Checking the wheel directly avoids ordering a tire that matches the diameter but not the actual wheel specification.
Does the 1957 Morgan Plus 4 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1957 Morgan Plus 4 Base uses the same 500-16 bias-ply tire size as the model core, so there is no separate primary size to sort out within the covered sub-model.
That makes fitment simpler, but the decision does not end with the size alone. The owner still needs to choose the right tire within that 500-16 format and make sure the car’s present-day wheel setup has not been changed. On a restoration-minded car, appearance and construction can matter just as much as the basic size code.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 500-16 tire for a 1957 Morgan Plus 4?
Start with the basics: the correct primary size is 500-16, and the construction is bias-ply. From there, compare the tire’s intended use, sidewall appearance, wheel-width compatibility, and any product attributes that may make one option more suitable for your car’s actual use.
A 1957 Morgan Plus 4 used mainly for display, occasional fair-weather driving, or vintage-style presentation may call for a different emphasis than one used more aggressively. It also helps to verify the wheel before purchase, since a narrow vintage tire depends on matching the correct rim layout. Size alone is not the whole decision on a specialty sports car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1957 Morgan Plus 4 tires?
The available 500-16 option for the 1957 Morgan Plus 4 uses a blackwall sidewall style. That gives the tire a clean, traditional look that suits the narrow-tire, vintage-sports-car character of the Plus 4.
Sidewall appearance matters because it has a strong visual effect on an exposed-wheel, open-bodied car. Even when the size is correct, the sidewall treatment can change the overall presentation noticeably. Buyers focused on restoration style usually want the tire’s look to complement the car’s era and stance, not just satisfy the basic fitment requirement.
What brands offer tires for the 1957 Morgan Plus 4?
Firestone is the available brand in the 500-16 size for the 1957 Morgan Plus 4. The current option appears in the Dirt Track series and uses bias-ply construction with a blackwall sidewall treatment.
Brand is only one part of the decision on a specialty vintage size. It is just as important to compare the tire series, intended use, and wheel-width compatibility so the tire suits the car you actually have. On an older Morgan, that practical check can matter more than the brand name alone when narrowing the choice.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1957 Morgan Plus 4?
A period-style approach starts with the original sizing convention, which for the 1957 Morgan Plus 4 is 500-16 in a bias-ply construction. Staying with that size and construction keeps the car visually and mechanically closer to the kind of tire setup it would have worn in its own era.
For many restorations, the goal is not simply mounting any tire that fits the wheel, but preserving the right overall character. Sidewall treatment and tire profile influence that result strongly on a Morgan. If exact originality is important, it is wise to compare your car against marque references and period documentation before settling on a final appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1957 Morgan Plus 4?
Tire construction affects more than road feel on a restored 1957 Morgan Plus 4; it also shapes the car’s visual character. A bias-ply tire preserves the older sizing language and traditional stance associated with mid-century sports cars using narrow 16-inch wheels.
That visual difference matters because the Plus 4’s separate fenders and upright proportions leave the tires in plain view. A tire that looks too modern can change the car’s presentation quickly, even if the wheel diameter is correct. For restoration-oriented owners, construction is often as much an appearance decision as a functional one.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1957 Morgan Plus 4?
Yes. A 1957 Morgan Plus 4 may use the correct 500-16 tire size on paper, but aftermarket wheels, brake changes, suspension work, or body adjustments can still affect fitment. Diameter, wheel width, and clearance all need to agree with the actual car in front of you.
That matters especially on vintage sports cars, where small changes can alter steering clearance or tire placement within the fenders. A Plus 4 that has been lowered, widened, or re-wheeled should be measured before any replacement is chosen. Verifying the present setup is the safest way to avoid rubbing, mounting issues, or an awkward visual stance.
What should I inspect before driving a 1957 Morgan Plus 4 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels, valve stems, mounting condition, and inflation pressure, and look over the rest of the car for anything that could affect tire behavior. Steering components, suspension condition, and brake operation all deserve attention on a collector car that may have spent long periods parked.
A short local test drive is a smart next step once the tires are installed. That gives you a chance to check for rubbing, vibration, pulling, or unusual steering feel before committing to a longer outing. It also helps confirm that the tire suits the wheel and that the car tracks properly under real driving conditions.
How should 500-16 tires on a collector 1957 Morgan Plus 4 be maintained?
Collector-car tires should be checked regularly even if the car is driven sparingly. On a 1957 Morgan Plus 4, that means watching 500-16 tires for air loss, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and any signs that long storage has affected the rubber or carcass.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on an older specialty tire. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. Frequent visual inspection and pressure checks are especially important on a lightly used vintage car, where age-related deterioration can appear before tread wear does.
