1958 Morris Oxford Tires

The 1958 Morris Oxford uses three tire sizes across the covered configurations: 155R15 in radial construction, 550-15 in bias-ply form, and 560-15 in bias-ply form. The Oxford II is associated with 155R15 and 550-15, while the Oxford III is associated with 155R15 and 560-15.

That means the first step is confirming the exact sub-model before choosing a bias-ply size. If the car has already been updated, the actual wheel width and current tire construction should also be checked, since a 15-inch rim diameter alone does not settle whether the car should be using 550-15, 560-15, or 155R15.

The covered 1958 Morris Oxford tire sizes all use a 15-inch rim diameter. That includes 155R15, 550-15, and 560-15, so wheel diameter stays consistent even though the car may use either radial or bias-ply construction depending on the sub-model and tire choice.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, especially on a collector car that may have had wheels changed over time. It is worth confirming the actual wheel width as well, because the available tires in these sizes do not all share the same rim-width recommendations, and that can affect safe selection and the way the tire sits on the wheel.

No. The covered 1958 Morris Oxford sub-models do not share the same bias-ply size. The Oxford II is tied to 550-15 in bias-ply form, while the Oxford III uses 560-15 in bias-ply form. Both sub-models are also associated with 155R15 radial fitment.

That difference matters because a buyer can easily assume that all 1958 Oxford models take the same numeric bias-ply tire when they do not. If the car is being restored, confirm the exact series before choosing sidewall style or tire construction, and if the car has been modified, compare the current wheels to the intended tire size before making the final decision.

550-15 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1958 Morris Oxford, and it is associated with the Oxford II. In this sizing system, the 550 designation refers to an older numeric bias-ply width class rather than a modern metric radial format.

That matters because keeping 550-15 preserves the car's bias-ply sizing style and appearance, while moving to a radial means evaluating an equivalent instead of another primary numeric size. Before changing construction, check the wheel width, compare the intended tire dimensions, and make sure steering and body clearance remain appropriate for the Oxford's actual setup.

Both 550-15 and 560-15 have the same radial-equivalent paths here. Each can be matched to 155R15 as an 80-series metric radial, and each also has 560R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent for a more traditional visual character.

Those options give a Morris Oxford owner two different ways to move away from a pure bias-ply tire without leaving the 15-inch format. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches applies to these equivalents, and it is still important to confirm wheel width, overall fit, and clearance before treating either size as an automatic substitute.

Start by confirming the Oxford's exact sub-model and current tire size, because the bias-ply fitment is 550-15 on the Oxford II and 560-15 on the Oxford III. The radial path tied to both is 155R15, with 560R15 also available as a bias-look radial equivalent.

Conversion should include a close look at wheel width, tire-to-fender clearance, and the way the car currently sits and steers. A collector sedan may also have replacement wheels or suspension changes from earlier ownership, so measuring the actual hardware on the car is just as important as knowing the nominal tire size.

The main decision points are sub-model, construction, and appearance. A 1958 Morris Oxford II uses 550-15 in bias-ply form or 155R15 in radial form, while the Oxford III uses 560-15 in bias-ply form or 155R15 in radial form, all on 15-inch rims.

Once the size is settled, compare the tire's visual character and wheel compatibility rather than looking only at diameter. Some owners want a traditional bias-ply presentation, while others want a radial in the proper wheel size, so sidewall style, rim-width suitability, and the intended use of the car should guide the final choice.

Sidewall choice depends on the size. The 155R15 radial options are blackwall, the 550-15 bias-ply option is also blackwall, and the 560-15 bias-ply size offers the broadest range with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

That makes 560-15 especially useful for an Oxford III owner who wants to shape the car's visual presentation without changing its basic tire size. Sidewall style should still be chosen after confirming the correct sub-model and construction, since an attractive whitewall option does not override the need to match the tire to the proper Oxford configuration.

The available brands for the 1958 Morris Oxford include Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, Excelsior, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Brand availability depends on size, with 155R15 carrying several radial brands, 550-15 centered on Excelsior, and 560-15 spread across several bias-ply names.

Brand choice should be filtered through the correct tire size first, then through the kind of look and construction the car needs. A buyer comparing products in the same size can also look at tire series, sidewall treatment, and rim-width suitability, which often tell more about practical fitment than the brand name alone.

A period-style starting point for a 1958 Morris Oxford is usually the proper numeric bias-ply size for the specific sub-model: 550-15 for the Oxford II or 560-15 for the Oxford III. Those sizes preserve the older bias-ply sizing convention that suits a late-1950s British sedan.

The exact appearance can still vary within that direction, especially on 560-15 where blackwall and whitewall treatments are available. Buyers focused on strict historical accuracy should confirm what is appropriate for their individual car through marque references or restoration records, because a tire that looks right for the era is not automatically exact for every Oxford.

Tire construction changes the visual character as well as the driving setup. A bias-ply 550-15 or 560-15 keeps the Morris Oxford in an older sizing format that matches the period feel of the car, while a 155R15 radial presents the same 15-inch wheel diameter through a more modern sizing convention.

That difference can be noticeable even before the car moves, particularly if whitewall styling is part of the restoration plan. Owners trying to balance road use with traditional appearance may also look at a bias-look radial equivalent, but the final choice should still be checked against the car's wheels and the overall look the restoration is meant to achieve.

Yes. Even though the covered 1958 Morris Oxford sizes all use 15-inch rims, modifications such as aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, brake changes, or bodywork repairs can change the way a tire fits. That matters whether the car is using 155R15, 550-15, or 560-15.

A modified Oxford should be checked for actual wheel width, inner and outer clearance, and steering movement before settling on a replacement tire. Collector cars often pass through several owners, so it is wise to inspect what is on the car now rather than assuming the wheel and suspension setup still matches original-era dimensions.

Inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall condition of the car's running gear before putting a 1958 Morris Oxford back into regular use on new tires. It is also smart to confirm the wheels are true, the tires are inflated properly for the chosen application, and there is no rubbing at full steering lock.

Road testing should begin with a short, careful drive so the car's steering feel, brake behavior, and clearance can be evaluated under real movement. On an older saloon, suspension bushings, steering joints, and wheel bearings can influence how well any new tire performs, even when the size itself is correct.

Tires on a collector 1958 Morris Oxford should be checked regularly for air loss, cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-use vehicles can age their tires through time and storage conditions just as much as through mileage.

Storage habits matter with a vintage Morris. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, excessive heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and occasional movement can help avoid long-term flat spotting. Before a longer outing, inspect pressures and sidewalls closely, since an older collector vehicle may sit for weeks or months between drives.