1961 MG MGA Tires

A 1961 MG MGA uses two accepted tire sizes: 560-15 in bias-ply construction and 155R15 in radial construction. Both are built for 15-inch wheels, and both the MGA 1600 and MGA Twin Cam use these same sizes. That makes this a construction-choice question as much as a size question.

The practical next step is confirming which approach suits the car and its current wheel setup. A 560-15 keeps a more traditional bias-ply format, while 155R15 moves into classic radial sizing. On a car that has been modified or fitted with different wheels over the years, wheel width and clearance should be checked before settling on either route.

The tire sizes used on a 1961 MG MGA are built around a 15-inch rim diameter. That applies to both of the main fitments on this page, 560-15 and 155R15. The shared wheel diameter simplifies fitment because the main difference between the two sizes is tire construction rather than rim size.

Rim diameter is only part of the picture, so it is still worth checking actual wheel width before choosing a tire. Several of the radial and bias-ply options are intended for relatively narrow wheels, which suits many MGA applications. A car with replacement steel wheels or aftermarket wheels should be measured rather than assumed to be standard.

Yes. The 1961 MG MGA 1600 and 1961 MG MGA Twin Cam both use the same two tire sizes: 560-15 bias-ply and 155R15 radial. There is no separate sub-model tire-size split within the covered MGA range here, so fitment is consistent across those versions.

That consistency means the real choice is based on how the car will be used and how it should look. Owners aiming for a traditional presentation often start with 560-15 bias-ply tires, while owners planning more road miles may look at 155R15 radials. Even with shared fitment, wheel condition and actual dimensions remain worth checking on an older sports car.

For the 1961 MG MGA, 560-15 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the vintage numeric sizing system common to many period cars, and it is offered here in traditional bias-ply construction with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall variations. That makes it the more traditional-looking fitment of the two primary sizes.

Choosing 560-15 usually centers on period-style appearance and keeping the car in a more classic tire format. Because this is a bias-ply size, owners considering a move to radial construction should compare wheel width, overall vehicle setup, and intended driving use rather than assuming any radial alternative will behave or present exactly the same way.

The radial equivalents associated with 560-15 are 155R15 and 560R15. The 155R15 is an 80-series metric radial equivalent, while 560R15 is a bias-look radial equivalent intended to keep a more traditional visual character. A recommended rim width range of 4 to 5 inches is tied to these equivalent options.

Those two radial choices serve different purposes. A 155R15 follows a classic Euro-metric radial format, while 560R15 is aimed at owners who want radial construction without giving up a vintage-style appearance. Either option should be checked against the car’s actual wheels, available clearance, and how closely the owner wants the finished look to track with a bias-ply presentation.

Both can be appropriate on a 1961 MG MGA because each is part of the accepted fitment picture. The 560-15 keeps the car in a traditional bias-ply format, while the 155R15 gives the MGA a classic radial tire size on the same 15-inch rim diameter. The better choice depends on how the car is driven and how it should look.

A restoration-oriented MGA may lean toward 560-15 for its vintage appearance and sidewall options, especially if period style matters more than anything else. An MGA used more regularly on the road may point toward 155R15 or even the 560R15 bias-look radial alternative. The final decision should include wheel width, tire clearance, and the car’s current suspension and alignment condition.

Start with the correct size and construction for the way the MGA will be used. A 560-15 bias-ply tire emphasizes a traditional format and vintage presentation, while a 155R15 radial moves toward a later-style road tire in the same 15-inch wheel diameter. That is the core choice before getting into brand or sidewall details.

After size and construction, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and any available load and weight figures that matter to your application. A carefully restored car may prioritize appearance, while a regularly driven MGA may prioritize radial selection. It also helps to confirm whether the car still has stock-style wheels or has been altered over time.

The 1961 MG MGA has meaningful sidewall variety, especially in 560-15 bias-ply tires. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles are all available in that size. The 155R15 radial options shown here are blackwall tires, which gives the radial side of the fitment a more restrained and sporting presentation.

Sidewall choice mainly affects appearance, so it should match the character you want the car to project. A blackwall usually delivers the most understated sports car look, while whitewall treatments push the car toward a more decorative vintage presentation. The important point is to choose sidewall style after confirming the correct size and construction for the wheel and intended use.

Several brands are available for the 1961 MG MGA depending on size and construction. In 155R15 radial, choices include Firestone, Michelin, Avon, and Vredestein. In 560-15 bias-ply, choices include Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, and Pro-Trac. That gives the MGA owner a broad spread of traditional and classic-radial product lines.

Brand selection is best handled alongside the tire’s series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility rather than as a standalone decision. Some buyers are after a simple blackwall radial, while others want a particular whitewall look in a bias-ply tire. The strongest comparison is usually between complete tire specifications and intended vehicle use, not brand name alone.

For a period-style 1961 MG MGA, the 560-15 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric sizing format and traditional construction. It is also available in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall forms, which gives a restoration-minded owner room to shape the car’s finished appearance.

The right choice depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what visual direction is intended. A blackwall usually suits a restrained sports car presentation, while whitewalls create a different vintage character. When exact originality matters, period photographs, marque-club guidance, and vehicle-specific historical references are the best way to narrow the final appearance decision.

Tire construction changes more than road feel on a restored 1961 MG MGA; it also changes the visual character of the car. A 560-15 bias-ply keeps the car in a distinctly vintage format, while a 155R15 radial introduces a later-style sizing convention and blackwall-only presentation among the available options shown here.

That difference matters on an MGA because the tire is a visible part of the car’s stance and overall presentation. Owners who want a traditional look often stay with bias-ply, while those wanting radial construction without abandoning a vintage flavor may consider the 560R15 bias-look radial equivalent. Final selection should balance visual goals with actual road use.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 MG MGA even when the car is using a correct size such as 560-15 or 155R15. Changes to wheel width, wheel offset, suspension height, spring condition, or body clearance can alter how a tire sits and moves within the wheel opening. That matters on a compact sports car with relatively tight packaging.

A careful check should include the actual wheel dimensions, steering clearance from lock to lock, and space around the fenders and suspension. Cars that have been lowered, fitted with replacement wheels, or rebuilt with non-stock components deserve extra attention. It is always smarter to verify the current setup on the individual car than to assume it matches original dimensions.

Before driving a 1961 MG MGA on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall tire condition after mounting. The tires should be seated properly, inflated correctly for the application, and free of visible damage. On an older sports car, it also makes sense to confirm that suspension and steering components are in sound condition before putting miles on fresh tires.

A short, careful road test is a good final step. Check for rubbing during turns, verify that the car tracks cleanly, and recheck air pressure after the first drive. Collector cars that sit for long periods benefit from regular visual inspection as well, since age, storage conditions, and infrequent use can affect tires even when tread wear appears minimal.

Collector-car tires on a 1961 MG MGA should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to storage conditions. Whether the car wears 560-15 bias-ply tires or 155R15 radials, owners should watch for cracks, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and signs of slow air loss. Low annual mileage does not eliminate the need for inspection.

Storage matters almost as much as mileage on a lightly used MGA. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It also helps to move the car periodically, keep the wheels clean, and have an experienced tire professional inspect older tires before any longer trip or faster sustained road use.