The 1964 MG MG sits squarely in the British sporting and touring tradition of the period, when tidy proportions, light road manners, and simple mechanical charm made these cars appealing on both sides of the Atlantic. For tire selection, this car stands out because it can be fitted with either a 5.90-14 bias-ply tire or a 165R14 radial, both on 14-inch rims. That gives owners a meaningful choice between a more traditional bias-ply presentation and classic blackwall radial options from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The right direction depends on whether the goal is a restoration-minded look, more modern road manners, or a careful balance of both.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1964 MG MG
The 1964 MG MG uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is centered on construction rather than wheel diameter, since both fit a 14-inch rim. One is a traditional 5.90-14 bias-ply size, while the other is a 165R14 radial, so the first step is deciding whether the car is being kept in a more period-style bias-ply setup or moved toward a classic radial arrangement.
A 165R14 size uses a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On a 1964 MG MG, this is the radial-format fitment and suits owners looking for a classic European tire sizing convention rather than an older numeric bias-ply designation. Available choices are blackwall radials from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, including Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic series. This size is worth considering when the goal is a vintage European look with radial construction, while still checking wheel width and overall vehicle setup before final selection.
A 5.90-14 size is a numeric bias-ply designation in which the 5.90 figure refers to nominal section width in inches and the 14 identifies the rim diameter. On the 1964 MG MG, this represents the traditional bias-ply fitment and is the natural starting point for owners who want to stay with period-style construction. Bias-ply sizing reads differently from modern metric radial sizing, so understanding the format matters before comparing alternatives. This size deserves a close look when preserving a more vintage driving and visual character is more important than shifting to a radial-format tire.
Tire fitment is straightforward here because the covered sub-model uses the same two primary tire-size paths: 165R14 radial or 5.90-14 bias-ply. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because the real decision is not wheel diameter, but whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply setup or fitted with a classic radial.
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1964 MG MG Magnette IV
The 1964 MG MG Magnette IV can be fitted with either 165R14 radial tires or 5.90-14 bias-ply tires on 14-inch rims. That gives Magnette IV owners a clear choice between traditional bias-ply character and classic radial construction, with wheel-width confirmation and intended appearance both worth checking before settling on a tire.
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 1964 MG MG Tires for sale
Available 165R14 choices focus on classic blackwall radial construction, with options from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein across the Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic lines. Buyers can compare series character, rim-width specifications, and other product details within the same vintage European radial size.
These FAQs focus on the 1964 MG MG tire decision: choosing between 5.90-14 bias-ply and 165R14 radial fitment, understanding the 14-inch wheel setup, and checking the car carefully before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1964 MG MG?
The 1964 MG MG uses two primary tire sizes: 165R14 in radial construction and 5.90-14 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes are associated with this car on 14-inch rims, so the fitment question is less about wheel diameter and more about which tire type matches the car’s setup and the owner’s goals.
That means the right choice starts with confirming whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration or fitted with a classic radial. A car with replacement wheels, suspension changes, or a restoration that differs from stock appearance should have wheel width and clearance checked before a final tire decision is made.
What size rim does a 1964 MG MG use?
The 1964 MG MG uses a 14-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes, 165R14 and 5.90-14. Even though those size codes look very different, they share the same wheel diameter, which helps narrow the fitment decision to construction type and tire style rather than moving between different rim sizes.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture, so it is still important to confirm the wheel on the car before ordering tires. Collector cars are often changed over the years, and wheel width can matter as much as diameter when selecting among vintage-style radial products or staying with a bias-ply setup.
What does 5.90-14 mean on a 1964 MG MG?
A 5.90-14 size is a numeric bias-ply tire designation. The 5.90 refers to a nominal section width in inches, while the 14 identifies the rim diameter. On a 1964 MG MG, that size represents the traditional bias-ply fitment and reflects the older sizing language common to many mid-century cars.
Modern buyers often compare that older bias-ply size to a metric radial, but the two formats should not be treated as interchangeable just because both use a 14-inch rim. The practical next step is deciding whether the car’s priority is period-style construction and appearance or a move toward a classic radial layout.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R14 tire for a 1964 MG MG?
Choosing a 165R14 tire for a 1964 MG MG starts with confirming that the car is set up for the radial fitment rather than the older 5.90-14 bias-ply size. Within 165R14, the available options are classic blackwall radials from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, so the comparison is about series, specifications, and wheel compatibility rather than basic size alone.
It helps to match the tire to the way the car will actually be used. A restoration-minded driver may focus on vintage European appearance, while a road-going car may place more emphasis on selecting the radial product whose rim-width specification best suits the wheels currently on the vehicle.
What brands offer tires for the 1964 MG MG?
For the 165R14 radial fitment on a 1964 MG MG, available brands include Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those choices appear in well-known vintage-style series such as Pirelli Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Vredestein Sprint Classic, all in blackwall form and all centered on classic European radial presentation.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. The smarter comparison is to look at the exact size marking, radial construction details, wheel-width compatibility where stated, and how closely the tire’s overall character matches the look and use of the car, especially if the MG is driven occasionally rather than daily.
How do I choose between the available 165R14 tires for a 1964 MG MG?
The available 165R14 tires for a 1964 MG MG share the same basic radial size, but they can still differ in series, weight, and rim-width specification. Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein each offer a classic blackwall option, so the selection process is really about comparing the details within the same vintage-fitment category.
A careful buyer should start by confirming the wheel width on the car, then compare how each tire lines up with the intended use and appearance. That approach helps narrow the choice without treating every 165R14 as identical, which is especially important on an older MG that may no longer be on its original wheels.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1964 MG MG?
For a period-style 1964 MG MG, the 5.90-14 bias-ply size is the clearest starting point because it preserves the older numeric sizing convention and traditional construction. A 165R14 radial can still suit the car visually, especially in a classic blackwall presentation, but it shifts the tire choice toward a more modern construction approach.
The right answer depends on how strict the restoration goal really is. An owner seeking a historically faithful look may want to compare surviving photos, marque-club guidance, and other MG-specific references, while a driver who values vintage appearance with easier road manners may weigh the radial option more seriously.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1964 MG MG?
Tire construction affects more than ride and handling on a restored 1964 MG MG; it also changes the car’s visual presentation. A 5.90-14 bias-ply keeps the older-style sizing language and supports a more traditional mid-century tire identity, while a 165R14 radial introduces a later metric-style format even when the sidewall remains plain blackwall.
That difference matters most on a restoration where the owner wants the tire to look right with the car’s proportions and era. Construction alone does not determine correctness, but it does shape the visual message, so the decision should be made alongside wheel finish, stance, and the overall restoration objective.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1964 MG MG?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1964 MG MG even when the nominal tire size is correct. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all change how a 165R14 radial or 5.90-14 bias-ply sits on the car and how much clearance remains in use.
That is why older cars should be checked as they actually sit today, not only by year and model. Steering travel, inner clearance, outer fender space, and the wheel dimensions currently on the car all deserve attention before changing construction type or replacing an aged set with fresh tires.
What should I inspect before driving a 1964 MG MG on new tires?
Before driving a 1964 MG MG on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, then confirm that the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for their application. It is also wise to look over the suspension, steering components, and brake hardware so the new tires are not being asked to compensate for unrelated mechanical issues.
A short, careful road test is a smart final check. Pay attention to rubbing, pulling, vibration, and any sign of air loss, then recheck the tires after the first miles of use. That routine is especially important on a collector MG that may have spent long periods parked before returning to the road.
How should tires on a collector 1964 MG MG be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1964 MG MG should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age as well as tread. A car that is driven infrequently can still develop sidewall cracking, flat spotting, cuts, bulges, or slow air loss, so condition matters just as much as mileage.
Storage habits make a difference too. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps protect the tires between drives, and moving the vehicle periodically can help reduce stress from long static storage. Any tire showing questionable aging or structural damage deserves professional evaluation before road use.
