1959 MG MGA Tires

The 1959 MG MGA uses two primary tire sizes: 560-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both are 15-inch fitments, so the choice is less about wheel diameter and more about whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply format or set up with a radial tire in a comparable vintage size.

That means the first decision is construction, not just size code. A bias-ply 560-15 leans toward a more traditional look and feel, while a 155R15 radial opens up a different range of road-oriented tire options. Before choosing, confirm the car’s actual wheel setup and make sure any previous wheel or suspension changes have not altered clearance.

The 1959 MG MGA uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 560-15 and 155R15. That shared rim diameter simplifies the basic fitment picture, because the main change between the two sizes is construction type and sizing system rather than a switch to a different wheel diameter.

Rim diameter is only part of the equation, though. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing a bias-ply setup with a radial alternative or a bias-look radial equivalent. It is smart to verify the wheel width stamped on the rim or measure it directly, particularly if the car has replacement wheels from an earlier restoration or a long ownership history.

The 1959 MG MGA 1600 follows the same covered fitment pattern, using either 560-15 bias-ply or 155R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. In practical terms, that means the sub-model does not introduce a separate wheel diameter or a unique third tire size that changes the buying decision.

The real question for an MGA 1600 owner is which construction suits the car’s purpose. A restoration-minded setup may stay with the traditional numeric bias-ply size, while a road-driven car may be evaluated around the radial option. Once that direction is clear, compare wheel width, sidewall style, and the overall look you want the car to carry.

On the 1959 MG MGA, 560-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing system, where the width is expressed in an older inch-based format and the construction is tied to the traditional bias-ply layout rather than a modern radial carcass.

That matters because a 560-15 bias-ply tire and a radial alternative can change both the visual character and the driving feel of the car. Buyers looking at this size should also pay attention to sidewall treatment, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are available. Wheel width and overall vehicle setup should still be checked before changing construction.

For a 1959 MG MGA using the 560-15 bias-ply size, the available radial equivalents are 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 is an 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is a bias-look radial intended to keep a more traditional visual style while using radial construction.

Those options are useful for different reasons. A 155R15 follows a Euro-metric radial format, while 560R15 stays closer to an old-style presentation. The recommended rim-width range for these equivalents is 4 to 5 inches, and that makes wheel-width confirmation especially important. Clearance, actual wheel dimensions, and the car’s current suspension condition should all be reviewed before conversion.

Both can be appropriate on a 1959 MG MGA, but they serve different goals. A 560-15 bias-ply setup keeps the car in a more traditional construction and opens the door to blackwall or whitewall period-style choices. A 155R15 radial stays on the same 15-inch rim diameter while offering a different construction path for owners considering regular road use.

The better choice depends on how the MGA will be used and how important vintage presentation is to the finished car. Owners chasing a restoration-minded appearance often start with the bias-ply format, while drivers who want a radial-sized alternative may look at 155R15 or a bias-look radial. Wheel width, stance, and body clearance should guide the final decision.

Start with the fact that 560-15 is the bias-ply fitment path for the 1959 MG MGA. From there, the meaningful choices are sidewall style, brand, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility. In this size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options are all available, so the look of the car can change noticeably even when the size stays the same.

A buyer should also match the tire to the car’s purpose. A restoration-oriented MGA may call for a more traditional presentation, while a modified or event-focused car may lean toward a different bias-ply series. It helps to confirm wheel width before making a final selection, especially since some 560-15 options are tied to narrower recommended rim widths than others.

The available sidewall styles for 1959 MG MGA tires depend on which primary size you choose. In 560-15 bias-ply, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options are available. In 155R15 radial, the available products are blackwall tires, which keeps the radial side of the fitment selection more restrained in appearance.

That makes sidewall style one of the biggest visual decisions on the page. A whitewall treatment can shift the MGA toward a more dressy period look, while a blackwall usually keeps the car sportier and more understated. The right choice depends on the character of the restoration and the wheel-and-trim combination already on the car.

The 1959 MG MGA has tire options from Firestone, Michelin, Avon, Vredestein, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Those brands are spread across the two main fitment directions, with several radial-series choices in 155R15 and several bias-ply choices in 560-15, including blackwall and whitewall variations.

Brand alone should not decide the purchase. It is more useful to compare the brand together with size, construction, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width specification. An MGA owner choosing between radial and bias-ply fitments may find that the best brand comparison starts only after the construction path and desired appearance are already settled.

For a period-style 1959 MG MGA, the 560-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it keeps the car in the vintage numeric sizing and traditional construction associated with the era. That size is available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions, allowing the finished look to stay understated or lean more decorative.

A restoration-minded choice should reflect the way the car is being presented rather than assuming one sidewall treatment suits every MGA. If exact originality matters, marque references and period documentation are worth checking before settling on a whitewall width or tire series. For many owners, the goal is a convincing period-style look rather than a strict claim of factory accuracy.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1959 MG MGA more than many buyers expect. A 560-15 bias-ply setup usually presents the car in a more traditional vintage style, especially when paired with blackwall or whitewall treatments that suit the restoration. A 155R15 radial keeps the 15-inch rim diameter but shifts the tire choice into a more modern construction family.

That does not automatically make one approach right and the other wrong. A road-driven restoration may benefit from a radial-format appearance, while a more historically styled build may look more settled on bias-ply tires. The best result usually comes from matching tire construction to the car’s stance, wheel details, and the era-specific look the owner wants to preserve.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1959 MG MGA even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, changed wheel width, altered offset, suspension work, or body adjustments can all influence how a 560-15 or 155R15 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much room it has at full steering lock or suspension travel.

That is especially important on a compact sports car where clearances can be tight. An MGA with replacement wheels from an older restoration may no longer match stock dimensions closely enough to assume either fitment path will behave the same. A careful check of wheel size, inner and outer clearance, and front steering sweep helps prevent surprises after installation.

Before driving a 1959 MG MGA on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the tires seat properly and hold pressure. It is also wise to look over the suspension and steering components, since worn tie-rod ends, bushings, or shocks can make even a correctly sized tire feel unsettled.

A collector-era car also deserves a close look at basics that are easy to overlook after long storage. Check for rubbing at the fenders and chassis, verify lug hardware condition, and make sure there are no old alignment issues that could wear a new tire quickly. A short, cautious road test is a good final check before longer trips.

Tires on a collector 1959 MG MGA should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Whether the car is using 560-15 bias-ply tires or 155R15 radials, look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, and slow air loss. Collector cars often age tires through time and storage conditions as much as through mileage.

Good maintenance also means protecting the car from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources when it is parked for extended periods. Occasional movement helps prevent flat spotting during storage, and routine inspections before each driving season are worthwhile. Any MGA that has been sitting for a long time should have its tires evaluated closely before returning to regular road use.