1961 MG Midget Tires

A 1961 MG Midget uses two primary tire sizes: 520-13 in bias-ply construction and 145R13 in radial construction. Both are associated with the car on a 13-inch rim, so the starting point is deciding which construction style and sizing convention matches the vehicle’s setup and intended use.

That means the choice is less about hunting for a hidden third size and more about confirming whether the car is staying with a traditional bias-ply arrangement or moving to a radial fitment. Wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and clearance around the fenders and suspension should still be checked, especially if the car has older replacement wheels or prior modifications.

The 1961 MG Midget uses a 13-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That shared rim diameter applies whether the car is using the 520-13 bias-ply fitment or the 145R13 radial fitment, so the basic wheel diameter remains the same across those tire choices.

Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it is smart to verify wheel width as well before selecting a tire. Some available products also show specific rim-width guidance, which matters when comparing a narrow vintage wheel against a later replacement rim that may have been installed during the car’s life.

The 1961 MG Midget Base is associated with the same two primary tire options used on this vehicle: 520-13 in bias-ply form and 145R13 in radial form. There is no separate Base-only size that changes the rim diameter or creates a different sub-model fitment path.

That keeps sub-model identification simple and shifts the real decision to construction, appearance, and wheel compatibility. A buyer choosing for a Base model should look at whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or set up with radial tires, then compare available sidewall styles, tire series, and applicable rim-width specifications.

520-13 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1961 MG Midget. It is a vintage numeric bias-ply format, with the 520 designation representing an approximate nominal section width and the 13 identifying the rim diameter in inches.

Choosing 520-13 keeps the car in its traditional construction family and opens up period-style appearance options such as blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. Anyone comparing it to a radial alternative should treat that as a construction change rather than a simple name change, then verify wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance before making the switch.

Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13, P155/75R13, and P155/70R13. Those represent three different radial-sizing approaches: an 80-series metric radial, a 75-series P-metric radial, and a 70-series P-metric radial, all intended as comparison points for the original 520-13 bias-ply size.

Each equivalent follows a different profile convention, so the decision should not be made by size code alone. A recommended rim-width range of 4 to 5 inches is tied to these equivalents, and the owner should also compare the actual wheel setup, suspension clearance, and the car’s intended stance before selecting one of the radial alternatives.

A 1961 MG Midget owner considering a move from 520-13 bias-ply tires to a radial setup should first confirm the wheel diameter and wheel width, then compare the intended radial size against available equivalent options such as 155R13, P155/75R13, or P155/70R13. The car’s actual wheel condition and current setup matter just as much as the tire size code.

Clearance at the fenders, steering travel, and suspension should be checked before the conversion is treated as workable. It also helps to decide whether the goal is maintaining a traditional look or prioritizing a radial-style fitment, since the available 145R13 radial and the listed equivalents do not represent the same construction or appearance as a 520-13 bias-ply tire.

Start with the construction and size path that matches the car. A 520-13 keeps the MG Midget in a bias-ply format with a more traditional presentation, while 145R13 puts the car on a Euro-metric radial. Both use a 13-inch rim diameter, but they represent different fitment approaches rather than interchangeable labels.

After that, compare sidewall appearance, tire series, and wheel-width compatibility where those specs are available. A buyer using the car for restoration-minded display may lean toward the bias-ply route, while a driver evaluating radial options should verify the actual wheel setup and intended look before making the final selection.

Available sidewall styles for the 1961 MG Midget include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, depending on the tire size and product selected. The 145R13 radial options shown here are blackwall, while the 520-13 bias-ply selections include blackwall along with both narrow and wider whitewall presentations.

That sidewall choice has a strong effect on how the car reads visually, especially on a small British sports car where the tire is a noticeable part of the overall stance. It is worth deciding early whether the goal is a restrained blackwall look or a more decorative vintage whitewall treatment, then narrowing the search by construction and tire series.

Tires for the 1961 MG Midget are available from Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport across the applicable 145R13 and 520-13 sizes. Michelin appears in the radial category, Firestone offers both radial and bias-ply options, and Premium Sport is represented in the 520-13 bias-ply range.

Brand is only one part of the decision, so it helps to compare each option by construction, sidewall style, tire series, and any rim-width or load information that is shown with the product. That approach keeps the focus on matching the tire to the car’s wheels, presentation, and intended use rather than choosing by brand name alone.

For a period-style 1961 MG Midget, the 520-13 bias-ply size is the more traditional starting point. Its vintage numeric sizing and bias-ply construction align naturally with the era of the car, and it is offered in several appearance treatments that can support different restoration-minded visual goals.

The final choice depends on whether the car is being preserved with a restrained blackwall look or a more decorative whitewall presentation. When exact originality matters, the smartest next step is to compare the selected tire style against marque-club guidance, period photographs, or other vehicle-specific historical references before settling on a particular look.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1961 MG Midget as much as it changes the fitment path. A 520-13 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 145R13 radial introduces a later-style metric radial look even though it still uses the same 13-inch rim diameter.

That difference matters on a small sports car because sidewall shape and overall tire presentation are easy to notice. Owners focused on restoration appearance often start by choosing the construction first, then refine the look with blackwall or whitewall styling, always keeping the actual wheel setup and intended use in mind.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1961 MG Midget even when the nominal tire size looks correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered suspension height, replacement springs, or bodywork repairs can all influence how a 520-13 or 145R13 tire sits and clears the car.

A smart check includes wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and visible space at the fender edges before settling on a tire. That is especially important on compact vintage sports cars, where small changes in wheel or suspension setup can have a noticeable effect on stance and rubbing risk.

Before driving a 1961 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for proper diameter and condition, confirm the tires are seated correctly, and check inflation pressure against the tire or vehicle requirements being followed. It is also wise to look over the valve stems, lug hardware, and any tubes if the wheel setup requires them.

A short initial road check should include listening for rubbing, feeling for vibration, and rechecking pressure after the first drive. On an older car, it also makes sense to inspect steering and suspension components at the same time, since worn parts can affect how even a correctly sized new tire behaves on the road.

Collector-car tires on a 1961 MG Midget should be checked regularly for pressure loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of age-related deterioration. That applies to both 520-13 bias-ply tires and 145R13 radials, especially on a car that may spend long periods parked between drives.

Storage conditions matter as much as mileage, so keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires. It also helps to move the car periodically or adjust support points during long storage so the tires are not left carrying the same load in one position for months.