The 1958 Morgan Series belongs to a distinctly traditional British sports-car lineage, with light weight, exposed mechanical character, and a driving experience that depends heavily on keeping the car true to its intended proportions. For an owner sorting out road use or restoration needs, tire choice is part of preserving that nimble, narrow-tire feel. The 1958 Morgan Series uses a 500-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim, and the covered fitment remains straightforward. Available choices in this size lean toward a blackwall, ribbed-front Firestone Dirt Track presentation. That makes wheel-width confirmation, intended use, and period-style appearance the key factors before putting the car back on the road.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1958 Morgan Series
The 1958 Morgan Series uses one primary tire size: 500-16. That is a bias-ply fitment on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Series II sub-model uses the same size, so the main decision is not between multiple primary fitments but between staying with the original-style construction, confirming wheel compatibility, and choosing the tire style that suits the car's intended use.
A 500-16 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which the leading number represents an approximate nominal section width of 5.00 inches and the final number identifies a 16-inch rim. On a 1958 Morgan Series, that narrow bias-ply format supports the car's traditional proportions and period driving character. In this fitment, the available product is a Firestone Dirt Track tire with a blackwall sidewall and ribbed-front tread style, giving the size a distinctly vintage competition-oriented look. It is the right size to evaluate when the goal is preserving the Morgan's original-style stance while still checking wheel width and intended road use carefully.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1958 Morgan Series sub-models. The important step is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup, then choosing a tire within the same primary size and construction style.
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1958 Morgan Series II
The 1958 Morgan Series II uses the same 500-16 bias-ply fitment, so the basic sizing decision stays simple. Tire selection then comes down to preserving a traditional look, confirming the 16-inch wheel setup, and making sure the chosen tire matches the car's intended use.
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 1958 Morgan Series Tires for Sale
Available 500-16 choices for the 1958 Morgan Series center on a Firestone bias-ply tire in the Dirt Track series with a blackwall sidewall and ribbed-front design. Comparing the product grid is mainly a matter of confirming construction, intended use, and wheel-width compatibility.
Owners of a 1958 Morgan Series usually need clarity on the 500-16 fitment, 16-inch rim compatibility, bias-ply construction, period-style appearance, and the checks worth making before road use on a lightly driven collector car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1958 Morgan Series?
The 1958 Morgan Series uses a 500-16 tire size. This is a numeric bias-ply fitment designed for a 16-inch rim, and the covered Series II sub-model uses that same basic size as well.
That means the first priority is confirming that the car still has the proper 16-inch wheels and a compatible rim width before choosing a replacement tire. If the Morgan has had wheel changes over the years, verify the actual wheel dimensions on the car rather than assuming every older setup remains unchanged.
What size rim does a 1958 Morgan Series use?
The 1958 Morgan Series uses a 16-inch rim with its 500-16 tire fitment. In the available product range for this size, the tire is built for a rim-width range of 4.00 to 5.00 inches.
Rim diameter and rim width both matter on a narrow vintage tire. A wheel can be 16 inches in diameter but still be unsuitable if the width falls outside the tire's intended range, so it is worth measuring the wheel before mounting new tires on a restored or long-stored Morgan.
Does the 1958 Morgan Series II use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1958 Morgan Series II uses the same 500-16 bias-ply tire size as the 1958 Morgan Series core fitment, so there is no separate primary tire size to sort through for that sub-model.
That keeps selection simple, but the practical check is still the actual wheel setup on the car. Older sports cars are often updated with replacement wheels during their lives, so confirming rim diameter, wheel width, and clearance remains worthwhile before choosing a period-style bias-ply tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 500-16 tire for a 1958 Morgan Series?
Start with the basics: correct 500-16 sizing, bias-ply construction, and a wheel that matches the tire's 16-inch diameter and intended rim-width range. On a light vintage sports car, keeping the proper narrow-tire proportions is often just as important as simply matching the size code.
After fitment is confirmed, think about how the car will be used and how you want it to look. A blackwall, ribbed-front tire gives the Morgan a traditional appearance, while details like load capacity, product weight, and overall presentation help determine whether the tire suits touring, display, or more specialized use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1958 Morgan Series tires?
In the available 500-16 fitment, the sidewall style is blackwall. That gives the 1958 Morgan Series a clean, understated appearance that suits the narrow-tire look typical of many traditional British sports cars.
Sidewall style is an appearance decision, but it should still be made after the fitment basics are settled. Once size, construction, and wheel compatibility are confirmed, a blackwall treatment can help maintain a period-style presentation without introducing a sidewall look that feels out of step with the car's overall character.
What brands offer tires for the 1958 Morgan Series?
The available tire offering for the 1958 Morgan Series in 500-16 comes from Firestone. It is a bias-ply product in the Dirt Track series, which gives this fitment a very specific traditional and competition-influenced look.
With a narrow product range, the choice becomes less about comparing multiple brands and more about deciding whether that tire's character matches the Morgan's intended use. Checking the wheel-width requirement, load figure, and tread presentation will tell you more than a simple brand comparison on this particular fitment.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1958 Morgan Series?
A period-style 1958 Morgan Series starts with the correct 500-16 size and bias-ply construction. Keeping the original-size format preserves the car's narrow stance and traditional visual balance far better than jumping immediately to a modern-looking substitute.
Appearance details matter after the size is right. A blackwall, ribbed-front tire gives the car a distinctly vintage presentation, but owners pursuing exact restoration standards should still compare tire details against marque references, period photos, or other vehicle-specific documentation before making a final appearance decision.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1958 Morgan Series?
Tire construction changes more than ride and handling feel on a restored 1958 Morgan Series. A 500-16 bias-ply tire preserves the tall, narrow, traditional look that visually belongs on a lightweight sports car from this period.
That visual difference is why construction choice should be part of the restoration plan, not an afterthought. Even when a car is driven regularly, owners often want the tire to support the correct stance and wheel-to-fender relationship, so the tire's profile and presentation deserve as much attention as the tread itself.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1958 Morgan Series?
Yes. Wheel changes, suspension work, brake conversions, or body alterations can all affect tire fitment on a 1958 Morgan Series, even when the intended size remains 500-16. A vintage sports car has limited space, so small changes can matter more than they would on a larger vehicle.
That is why the actual setup on the car should be checked before mounting new tires. Confirm wheel diameter and width, then look at steering travel, fender clearance, and suspension condition so the replacement tire matches the Morgan's present configuration rather than only its original specification.
What should I inspect before driving a 1958 Morgan Series on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm valve condition, and make sure the tires are mounted on properly sized 16-inch rims. It is also smart to look over steering and suspension components, because looseness or wear can show up quickly on a light, narrow-tired car.
A short initial drive should be treated as a shakedown rather than a long trip. Recheck air pressure, look for any signs of rubbing, and pay attention to straight-line tracking and steering response so any fitment or mechanical issue can be corrected before the Morgan is driven farther.
How should 500-16 tires on a collector 1958 Morgan Series be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 500-16 sizing should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, direct sunlight, and ozone exposure. Low annual mileage does not stop tire aging on a 1958 Morgan Series.
Storage habits matter almost as much as road miles on an older sports car. Keeping the Morgan in a dry, sheltered space and checking the tires before each outing helps catch age-related issues early, especially on a bias-ply setup that may spend more time parked than driven.
