The 1961 MG MG sits in a distinctly British sports-car and sporting-sedan world, where light weight, compact dimensions, and direct road feel mattered as much as outright power. That makes tire choice especially important, because the covered 1961 MG MG sub-models split between 14-inch and 15-inch wheel fitments and between traditional bias-ply sizing and later radial alternatives. Magnette IV applications use 5.90-14 bias-ply or 165R14 radial sizing, while TD & TF applications use 560-15 bias-ply or 155R15 radial sizing. Available choices range from blackwall radials to blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall bias-ply tires, with a bias-look radial equivalent available for 560-15. The right selection depends on the exact sub-model, wheel diameter, and whether the goal is period-style appearance or more modern radial construction.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1961 MG MG
Four primary tire sizes apply to the 1961 MG MG, and the correct one depends first on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Magnette IV models use 14-inch fitments, while TD & TF models use 15-inch fitments, with both bias-ply and radial choices represented. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a Magnette IV or a TD & TF and verify that the wheels still match the original rim diameter.
165R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1961 MG MG, this radial size is associated with 14-inch Magnette IV applications and suits buyers looking for a more modern construction than a period bias-ply. Available choices include Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein offerings, all in blackwall form and across series such as Cinturato CA67, XAS, and Sprint Classic. It is the size to evaluate when the car has 14-inch wheels and the goal is radial road use without moving to a different rim diameter.
5.90-14 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.90 indicating the nominal section width in inches and 14 identifying the wheel diameter. For the 1961 MG MG, this size belongs with 14-inch Magnette IV fitment and represents the traditional bias-ply construction that many restoration-minded owners prefer for period-style presentation. Its significance is less about modern sizing convention and more about preserving the look and character associated with an earlier tire design. This is the size to confirm when a Magnette IV still uses its original-style 14-inch wheel setup and the owner wants to stay with a vintage bias-ply approach.
155R15 is a Euro-metric radial size where 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, R marks radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1961 MG MG, this size applies to TD & TF fitment on 15-inch wheels and gives buyers a true radial option in the proper rim diameter. Product choice is broad here, with Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein options in blackwall form and tire series including F560 Radial, Michelin X, XAS, XAS-FF, CR6ZZ, Snow Classic, and Sprint Classic. It is the key radial size to consider for a TD & TF that will be driven regularly on 15-inch wheels.
560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.60 representing nominal section width in inches and 15 indicating the wheel diameter. For the 1961 MG MG, this is the traditional 15-inch bias-ply fitment associated with TD & TF models, making it especially relevant for owners pursuing a period-style tire profile. Available choices span Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments across several bias-ply series. This is the size to start with when maintaining a vintage presentation on a TD & TF before deciding whether a radial equivalent should also be considered.
Sub-model identification matters on the 1961 MG MG because the covered applications do not share one universal tire size. Magnette IV models use 14-inch fitments, while TD & TF models use 15-inch fitments, so the first step is confirming which version of the car is in the garage.
1
1961 MG MG Magnette IV
The 1961 MG MG Magnette IV uses 14-inch tire fitments, with both a radial and a traditional bias-ply size associated with it. That means tire selection starts with confirming the existing wheel setup and then deciding whether the priority is a period-style bias-ply look or a 14-inch radial option for road use.
The 1961 MG MG TD & TF uses 15-inch tire fitments and supports both a classic bias-ply size and a radial alternative in the same rim diameter. Selection usually comes down to preserving vintage appearance with 560-15 or evaluating a 15-inch radial path while checking wheel width and overall clearance.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1961 MG MG
For the original 560-15 size, two radial-equivalent options are available. 155R15 serves as the 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent for buyers who want radial construction with a more traditional visual presentation. These choices differ mainly in sizing convention and appearance emphasis rather than replacing the original bias-ply format outright. A recommended rim-width range of 4-5 inches applies to this equivalent path, and wheel width, tire dimensions, and vehicle clearance should all be checked before changing from 560-15.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R15
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (560-15)
560R15
Bias-look Radial Equivalent (560-15)
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 1961 MG MG Tires for sale
Available 1961 MG MG tire choices span Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, Firestone, Avon, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Depending on size, buyers can compare radial and bias-ply construction, blackwall and whitewall sidewall treatments, and several distinct tire series aimed at different visual and driving priorities.
These 1961 MG MG FAQs focus on the key decisions owners actually face: identifying the right size by sub-model, understanding bias-ply versus radial choices, comparing available brands and sidewall styles, and checking wheel fitment before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1961 MG MG?
A 1961 MG MG does not use one universal tire size across all covered sub-models. Magnette IV applications use 165R14 radial or 5.90-14 bias-ply tires on 14-inch wheels, while TD & TF applications use 155R15 radial or 560-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch wheels.
That makes the first step identifying whether the car is a Magnette IV or a TD & TF, then confirming the actual wheel diameter on the vehicle. Many collector cars have seen wheel or tire changes over time, so matching the tire to the current wheel setup matters just as much as matching it to the model name.
What size rim does a 1961 MG MG use?
Two rim diameters appear on the 1961 MG MG. Magnette IV fitment uses 14-inch wheels with either 165R14 radial or 5.90-14 bias-ply sizing, while TD & TF fitment uses 15-inch wheels with either 155R15 radial or 560-15 bias-ply sizing.
Because both 14-inch and 15-inch applications exist, wheel diameter should be confirmed before choosing a tire. A glance at the existing tire size can help, but the safest approach is to inspect the wheel itself and make sure the car has not been changed to a different rim size during restoration or routine service.
Why does the 1961 MG MG have more than one tire size?
The 1961 MG MG includes more than one size because the covered sub-models do not share the same wheel and tire fitment. Magnette IV uses 14-inch sizes, while TD & TF uses 15-inch sizes, and each of those applications also appears in both bias-ply and radial form.
The practical takeaway is that tire selection is not just a matter of picking any size associated with the year and make. Buyers need to match the exact sub-model first, then decide whether they want to stay with the vintage bias-ply format or move to the radial option available for that same wheel diameter.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 560-15 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1961 MG MG?
560-15 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1961 MG MG, and it is associated with TD & TF fitment on a 15-inch wheel. It uses the older numeric sizing system and remains the traditional choice for owners who want a vintage-style tire profile and period-oriented presentation.
A radial option exists in the same general fitment family, but it should be treated as an alternative rather than the same tire in a different construction. Before changing from 560-15 bias-ply to a radial, confirm wheel width, check clearance, and decide whether original-style appearance or radial construction is more important for the car's intended use.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 560-15?
Two radial-equivalent sizes are available for 560-15. 155R15 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, and 560R15 is the bias-look radial equivalent for buyers who want radial construction while keeping a more traditional visual theme.
Those options are useful in different ways, but neither should be treated as automatic interchangeability. The recommended rim-width range for this equivalent path is 4-5 inches, and the wheel setup, tire dimensions, and available clearance at the fenders and steering should be checked before replacing a 560-15 bias-ply tire with either radial alternative.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1961 MG MG?
That depends on the sub-model, wheel diameter, and the character you want from the car. Magnette IV and TD & TF applications both have bias-ply and radial choices in their respective wheel sizes, so the decision is less about availability and more about whether the owner wants a traditional presentation or a radial construction alternative.
Bias-ply tires often appeal to restoration-minded owners because they preserve a vintage look, while radial options are commonly considered for regular road use. The right choice starts with the exact size for the car, then moves to wheel compatibility, clearance, and whether the vehicle's current setup still matches its intended original rim diameter.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1961 MG MG?
Start with the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, because a 1961 MG MG can use either 14-inch or 15-inch fitment depending on whether it is a Magnette IV or a TD & TF. After that, the main decision is whether to stay with the traditional bias-ply size or choose the available radial size for that same application.
Once size and construction are settled, compare the meaningful differences within the available products. Those include brand, tire series, blackwall versus whitewall presentation where offered, and any rim-width or load information tied to a specific tire. That approach keeps the choice centered on fitment first and appearance or usage second.
What sidewall styles are available for 1961 MG MG tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size you are considering. The radial options in 165R14 and 155R15 are offered in blackwall form, while 560-15 bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions across several brands and series.
That gives TD & TF owners the broadest appearance range, especially if the goal is a more customized or restoration-oriented visual theme. Sidewall style should still follow the correct size and wheel diameter for the car, since selecting a whitewall or blackwall treatment only makes sense after the proper fitment and construction path have been established.
What brands offer tires for the 1961 MG MG?
Brand choice varies by size, but the 1961 MG MG is served by Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, Firestone, Avon, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. Radial offerings appear from brands such as Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, Firestone, and Avon, while 560-15 bias-ply options include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac.
The useful way to compare brands here is not by ranking them, but by matching each one to the correct size, construction, and visual style. Some choices focus on traditional blackwall radial fitment, while others bring whitewall bias-ply styling into the decision, especially on 15-inch TD & TF applications.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1961 MG MG?
A period-style choice usually starts with the bias-ply size that matches the sub-model and wheel diameter. That means 5.90-14 for Magnette IV applications and 560-15 for TD & TF applications, both of which preserve the earlier numeric sizing format associated with traditional tire presentation.
From there, appearance can be refined by selecting the sidewall treatment available in the correct size, especially on 560-15 where blackwall and whitewall versions are offered. If exact originality matters beyond a general period-style look, marque references and restoration records are the right next step before settling on a brand or sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1961 MG MG?
Construction changes the visual character of the car as much as it changes the tire itself. A bias-ply tire such as 5.90-14 or 560-15 keeps the older sizing format and traditional profile associated with vintage presentation, while radial sizes such as 165R14 and 155R15 bring a later construction style into the same general fitment category.
That difference matters on a restored 1961 MG MG because the tire is a major visual component at each corner. Owners focused on show-oriented appearance often begin with the correct bias-ply size, while those planning regular road miles may compare radial options more closely and decide how much modern construction they want to show.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1961 MG MG?
Yes, modifications can change how a tire works on a 1961 MG MG even when the size itself is associated with the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, brake conversions, or bodywork differences can all affect whether a 14-inch or 15-inch setup still has the same clearance and compatibility it once had.
That is why the actual car should be checked before selecting tires, especially on older British vehicles that may have been updated over time. Confirm the current wheel diameter and width, then look at steering clearance, fender clearance, and overall space around the tire before moving from a bias-ply fitment to a radial alternative.
What should I inspect before driving a 1961 MG MG on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then make sure the tires match the intended sub-model fitment. It is also wise to check inflation, look for any interference at full steering lock, and verify that the tires seat properly on the wheels being used.
A collector car deserves a broader once-over before the first drive as well. Examine suspension and steering components for wear, watch for uneven clearance side to side, and confirm that the spare and tools suit the wheel setup on the car. Those steps help the new tires perform as intended without overlooking the condition of the vehicle around them.
How should tires on a collector 1961 MG MG be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1961 MG MG should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Check for sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, irregular wear, and any sign of air loss, and keep inflation appropriate for the tire in service rather than assuming a low-mileage car is automatically ready for the road.
Storage habits matter just as much as mileage on older vehicles. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires over time, and periodic movement can help avoid long stationary loading. A short pre-drive inspection remains worthwhile before any outing, especially after extended storage.
