1965 MG MGB Tires

The 1965 MG MGB uses two primary tire sizes: 165R14 in radial construction and 560-14 in bias-ply construction. The 165R14 applies to the GT Coupe and also appears on the Roadster, while the 560-14 bias-ply size is used on the Roadster.

That means the first step is confirming whether the car is a GT Coupe or Roadster, then checking which wheel and tire setup is actually on the vehicle. A Roadster may be running either construction, so the correct choice is not just about year and model name, but also about the car’s present wheel width and the owner’s goals for appearance and road use.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1965 MG MGB are built around a 14-inch rim diameter. That is true for the 165R14 radial size and the 560-14 bias-ply size, even though the two tires use different sizing systems and different construction types.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still needs attention before choosing between radial and bias-ply options. The available 165R14 radial tires use wider wheel ranges than the 560-14 bias-ply products, which makes it important to confirm the actual wheels on the car rather than assuming any 14-inch rim is suitable for either type.

No. The 1965 MG MGB GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the 1965 MG MGB Roadster may use either 165R14 radials or 560-14 bias-ply tires. The sub-model matters because fitment is shared only in part, not across every tire option.

That distinction affects more than the size printed on the sidewall. It changes the construction type, available wheel-width ranges, and the look of the car once the tires are installed. Anyone replacing existing tires on a Roadster should verify whether the car is staying with its current setup or moving between radial and bias-ply before narrowing the product choices.

On the 1965 MG MGB, 560-14 is a bias-ply tire size. It is the traditional numeric format, and the available products in this size use bias-ply construction within the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line.

That matters because a bias-ply setup brings different wheel-width requirements and a different visual character than the 165R14 radial fitment. Anyone considering 560-14 should confirm the Roadster’s wheels are appropriate for that tire, and should choose it with an understanding that the decision often relates as much to vintage appearance and period-style presentation as to simple size matching.

The 165R14 size used on the 1965 MG MGB is a radial tire. It appears on the GT Coupe and also on the Roadster, with available blackwall choices from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein in several classic radial series.

Choosing 165R14 keeps the car in a traditional 14-inch radial format, but wheel width still needs to be checked against the specific tire selected. Since the Roadster can also use a bias-ply size, owners should be clear about whether the goal is to maintain an existing radial setup or move toward a more vintage-looking bias-ply presentation before making the final selection.

That depends on the sub-model and the result you want from the car. The GT Coupe centers on the 165R14 radial size, while the Roadster may use either 165R14 radials or 560-14 bias-ply tires, so both constructions are relevant within the 1965 MG MGB range.

The practical decision usually comes down to appearance goals, wheel compatibility, and whether the car is being preserved in a more traditional style or driven with a radial setup already in place. A construction change should never be treated as automatic just because the rim diameter matches, since wheel width and overall clearance still need to be verified on the actual car.

Start by identifying the exact sub-model and the tire construction already on the car. A 1965 MG MGB GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while a Roadster may use either 165R14 radial tires or 560-14 bias-ply tires, so the correct choice begins with matching the car’s fitment path.

Once the size is confirmed, compare the available tire series, wheel-width compatibility, sidewall treatment, and the overall look you want from the finished car. A buyer preserving a vintage presentation may lean toward the bias-ply Roadster option, while a buyer maintaining a radial-equipped setup will focus on the 165R14 choices from the classic European radial lines.

Sidewall choices depend on the tire size. The 165R14 radial options for the 1965 MG MGB are offered in blackwall form, while the 560-14 bias-ply size is available as a blackwall, a narrow whitewall, or a wide whitewall.

That gives the Roadster more visible styling variety if the car is using the bias-ply size, while the radial side stays focused on a clean, traditional blackwall appearance. Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct size and construction are settled, since appearance options do not override the need to match the proper fitment and wheel setup for the car.

The 1965 MG MGB has tire offerings from Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich. Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein cover the 165R14 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich supplies the 560-14 bias-ply option through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside the size, construction, and visual direction of the car. The radial selections stay within classic blackwall European-style offerings, while the BFGoodrich bias-ply range adds whitewall variations for a different vintage look. It is more useful to narrow the fitment and appearance goal first, then compare brands within the tire type that actually suits the MGB.

A period-style choice for a 1965 MG MGB depends on whether the car is a GT Coupe or Roadster and whether the goal is a traditional radial or bias-ply presentation. The Roadster’s 560-14 bias-ply option offers the most overtly vintage look, while 165R14 remains a classic-format radial choice used across the model range.

Appearance should be weighed together with the wheel setup already on the car and how the MGB will be driven. Buyers pursuing strict originality should verify details through marque references and restoration documentation, while buyers aiming for a historically sympathetic result can use size, construction, and sidewall style to shape the car’s overall character without assuming every period-style option is exact to every individual car.

Tire construction changes the visual tone of a restored 1965 MG MGB because the car can present either as a radial-equipped sports car or, in Roadster form, with a more traditional bias-ply look. The 165R14 radial choices are blackwall only, while the 560-14 bias-ply options add blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments.

That means construction affects both the profile and the sidewall presentation seen at a glance. A restored car aimed at vintage touring may stay with the radial format, while a Roadster built around older styling cues may lean toward bias-ply. The key is to keep the visual decision tied to the correct size and wheel requirements rather than treating appearance alone as the deciding factor.

Yes. Even though the 1965 MG MGB uses 14-inch tire fitments, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension modifications, or body clearance changes can affect which tire setup works properly. That is especially important on a Roadster that may be running either 165R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply tires.

The practical concern is that matching the printed size alone does not account for the actual wheel and chassis setup on an older car. A modified MGB should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel suitability before changing size or construction. That helps avoid choosing a tire that matches the catalog size but does not suit the vehicle as it sits.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for proper diameter and condition, confirm the tires are seated correctly, and make sure inflation is set appropriately for the tire being used. It is also wise to check for rubbing at full steering lock and to verify that all four tires match the intended size and construction for the car.

A 1965 MG MGB is old enough that surrounding components deserve attention too. Wheel bearings, suspension bushings, steering parts, and brake condition can all influence how the car feels once fresh tires are installed. A short test drive followed by a second look for air loss, unusual marks, or clearance issues is a sensible final check before longer use.

Collector-car tires on a 1965 MG MGB should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Low annual mileage does not stop a tire from aging, so condition matters just as much as tread depth.

Routine maintenance also includes checking for slow air loss and watching how the car sits during storage. Moving the vehicle occasionally, keeping the wheels clean, and reassessing the tires before seasonal driving all help. On an MGB that may alternate between events and storage, careful inspection matters whether the car runs 165R14 radials or 560-14 bias-ply tires.