1966 MG MGB Tires

A 1966 MG MGB uses either 165R14 or 560-14 tires, depending on the sub-model and construction choice. The GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the Roadster can use 165R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply tires. Both sizes are built for 14-inch rims, but they are not the same type of tire.

That makes the first decision a fitment check, not a brand check. Confirm whether the car is a GT Coupe or Roadster, then verify which wheels are actually on the car before choosing tires. Cars that have been restored or modified over time may not still be using the same wheel setup they once had.

The 1966 MG MGB uses 14-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The 165R14 radial and the 560-14 bias-ply are both 14-inch tire sizes, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the sizing systems and construction types are different.

Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still important to check wheel width before selecting a tire. Some 165R14 radial products call for a wider rim range than 560-14 bias-ply options. Looking at the actual wheel on the car helps avoid choosing a tire that is correct in diameter but mismatched to rim width.

No, the covered 1966 MG MGB sub-models do not all use the same tire-size pattern. The GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the Roadster can use either 165R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply tires. That gives the Roadster a broader fitment path than the GT Coupe.

This is why sub-model identification matters before comparing brands or sidewall appearance. A buyer looking at a GT Coupe can stay focused on 165R14 radial options, while a Roadster owner may also need to decide whether the car should remain in bias-ply form. Checking the wheels and the car’s present setup is the practical next step.

On the 1966 MG MGB, 560-14 is a bias-ply tire size. It uses the older numeric sizing system and is offered here in BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply form. That makes it a traditional fitment choice for Roadster owners who want the look and construction style associated with vintage tires.

Bias-ply selection should be approached with the actual wheel setup in mind, because the available 560-14 products are tied to a narrower rim-width range than the radial options. It also helps to think through the car’s purpose. A Roadster being restored around period-style appearance may point one way, while a car driven more regularly may lead you to evaluate the radial fitment instead.

For the 1966 MG MGB, 165R14 is a radial tire size. It uses a Euro-metric radial format and appears on both the GT Coupe and the Roadster. In this application, 165R14 is available through classic blackwall radial lines from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein.

That makes 165R14 the radial side of the MGB fitment story, but choosing it still involves more than matching the size code alone. Wheel width should be checked against the tire you are considering, especially since the available products do not all share the same rim-width specification. Keeping the car’s intended use and appearance goals in view will help narrow the right option.

A 1966 MG MGB can be approached either way, but the answer depends on the sub-model and the result you want from the car. The GT Coupe stays in the 165R14 radial fitment, while the Roadster can be set up with either 165R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply tires. The choice is as much about the car’s presentation and setup as it is about size.

For a period-style Roadster, a 560-14 bias-ply may better suit the visual theme of the car. A buyer leaning toward 165R14 radial tires should confirm wheel width and overall vehicle clearance before making the switch. Cars with later wheels, suspension changes, or other modifications deserve a closer fitment review before changing construction type.

Start with the correct fitment path for the car. A 1966 MG MGB may use 165R14 radial tires or 560-14 bias-ply tires, and that difference shapes everything that follows. Once size and construction are settled, useful comparison points include brand, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility.

The car’s intended role should guide the final decision. A restoration-oriented Roadster may call for the traditional look of a bias-ply tire, while a GT Coupe buyer will be focused on choosing among radial series in the proper size. Wheel width matters here too, because the available radial and bias-ply products are not built around the same rim-width ranges.

Sidewall choice depends on which primary size you are using. The 165R14 radial options are offered as blackwalls, while the 560-14 bias-ply choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions. That gives the Roadster more visual variation if you are shopping within the bias-ply fitment.

Appearance should still be balanced against the tire size and construction that actually belong on the car. A whitewall may create a strong period-style statement, but it should not override wheel compatibility or the broader goal for the vehicle. Buyers pursuing strict restoration accuracy should compare sidewall style choices against marque-specific historical references before deciding.

The 1966 MG MGB has tire choices from Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich. Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein cover the 165R14 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 560-14 bias-ply fitment. Those brands also represent different tire series, so brand choice is closely tied to the size and construction you need.

A useful way to compare them is by first narrowing the search to the correct tire size for the car, then looking at sidewall treatment, rim-width specifications, and the visual character of each series. That keeps the decision grounded in actual fitment. Comparing across brands only makes sense after the sub-model, wheel diameter, and construction path are already confirmed.

A period-style 1966 MG MGB usually starts with choosing the primary fitment path that suits the car’s configuration and visual goal. For a Roadster, 560-14 bias-ply tires create the most traditional presentation among the available choices. A GT Coupe remains centered on 165R14 radial tires, which still preserve a classic European sports car look.

That does not make one choice universally right for every restoration. Some owners prioritize a vintage stance and sidewall appearance, while others want a classic look within the radial fitment used on their car. When exact originality matters, it is wise to compare tire details against marque-club guidance, period photography, and other vehicle-specific historical references.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1966 MG MGB because bias-ply and radial tires present the car differently even when they share the same 14-inch rim diameter. A 560-14 bias-ply gives the Roadster a more traditional vintage-tire look, while 165R14 radial options lean toward a later classic sports car presentation.

Sidewall style adds another layer to that decision. Blackwall radial choices keep the appearance understated, while the 560-14 bias-ply range opens the door to blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall treatment. Buyers restoring around a particular era image should evaluate construction and sidewall together rather than treating the tire size alone as the whole appearance decision.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1966 MG MGB even when the tire size itself is correct. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension updates, ride-height changes, or bodywork differences can influence how a 165R14 or 560-14 tire sits on the car and clears surrounding components.

That is especially important on older sports cars that may have gone through several rounds of ownership and repair. Checking actual wheel diameter and width, then looking at steering and fender clearance at full movement, helps prevent surprises. Any car that no longer sits on stock-style wheels deserves that inspection before moving from one construction or size path to another.

Before driving a 1966 MG MGB on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, and overall mounting condition, then confirm that the tire size matches the car’s actual setup. It also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components, since worn parts can affect how the tire behaves once the car is back on the road.

A short pre-drive check should include tire pressure, bead seating, visible sidewall condition, and clearance through steering travel. After the first miles, recheck pressure and look for any signs of rubbing or uneven contact. Collector cars that have been parked for long stretches benefit from an especially careful walk-around before any longer outing.

Collector-car tires on a 1966 MG MGB should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and sensible storage habits. Whether the car runs 165R14 radial tires or 560-14 bias-ply tires, look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. Low annual mileage does not remove the need for routine inspection.

Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use on a classic British sports car. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires between drives. It is also smart to inspect the tires before each outing, especially if the MGB spends long periods parked between events or weekend drives.