The 1966 MG Midget sits squarely in the era of lightweight British sports cars built around simple mechanics, quick responses, and modest dimensions. Its charm comes from being small, direct, and engaging on real roads, which makes tire choice especially important to how the car looks and feels. This model uses either a 520-13 bias-ply tire or a 145R13 radial, both on 13-inch wheels. That gives owners a meaningful choice between traditional bias-ply presentation and a classic Euro-metric radial approach, with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options available. The right selection depends on whether the goal is restoration-oriented appearance, period-style character, or practical road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1966 MG Midget
The 1966 MG Midget uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is mainly construction rather than wheel diameter. Both fit 13-inch rims, but one is a traditional 520-13 bias-ply size and the other is a 145R13 radial, so the first step is deciding whether the car should keep a vintage bias-ply setup or use a radial tire with a more modern sizing format.
145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1966 MG Midget, this size represents the radial fitment option and suits owners who want a classic small-car radial format on the original 13-inch rim diameter. Available choices include Michelin and Firestone blackwall tires in series such as Michelin XAS-FF and F560 Radial. This size is worth considering when road use and traditional radial sizing are part of the goal.
520-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with 5.20 indicating the nominal section width in inches and 13 identifying the wheel diameter. For the 1966 MG Midget, it is the traditional bias-ply fitment and carries the narrower, vintage sizing language familiar to many period small sports cars. Product choices include Firestone and Premium Sport options with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styling across Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Premium Sport Lowrider series. This size makes sense for owners focused on a more traditional stance, appearance, and bias-ply driving character.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1966 MG Midget sub-models because the same primary tire choices apply across the range shown here. Checking the sub-model still matters so the tire selection stays aligned with the car’s actual wheel setup and the owner’s preference for bias-ply or radial construction.
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1966 MG Midget Base
The 1966 MG Midget Base can be fitted with either the 145R13 radial size or the 520-13 bias-ply size on a 13-inch rim. That gives the buyer a clear decision between a traditional bias-ply presentation and a radial alternative, along with sidewall and tire-series choices within each construction.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1966 MG Midget
For the original 520-13 tire size, three radial-equivalent options are available. 155R13 is the 80-series metric radial equivalent, P155/75R13 is the P-metric 75-series radial alternative, and P155/70R13 is the P-metric 70-series radial option. These choices differ mainly by sizing convention and profile family rather than by serving as the same type of tire. A 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, so wheel width, overall dimensions, and vehicle clearance should be checked before changing from the primary bias-ply size.
Modern Radial Equivalents
155R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (520-13)
P155/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (520-13)
P155/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (520-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
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 1966 MG Midget Tires for Sale
Available 1966 MG Midget tire choices include radial and bias-ply options from Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport. The product grid lets buyers compare blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles across series such as Michelin XAS-FF, F560 Radial, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Premium Sport Lowrider.
Common 1966 MG Midget tire questions usually come down to choosing between 520-13 and 145R13, understanding radial alternatives, and matching the tire’s appearance and construction to the car’s intended use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1966 MG Midget?
The 1966 MG Midget uses two primary tire sizes: 145R13 in radial construction and 520-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, so the key difference is not wheel diameter but the tire’s sizing system and construction type.
That means the choice usually starts with how the car is meant to be used and presented. A buyer comparing these sizes should confirm the actual wheel setup on the car, then decide whether to keep a traditional bias-ply look and feel or move toward a classic radial format on the same rim diameter.
What size rim does a 1966 MG Midget use?
The primary tire fitments for a 1966 MG Midget use a 13-inch rim diameter. Both 145R13 and 520-13 are built around that same wheel diameter, which keeps rim size straightforward even though the tire constructions differ.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though, especially on a small sports car. It is still smart to confirm wheel width before selecting a tire, particularly if the car has replacement wheels, and to make sure the chosen tire’s dimensions and construction remain compatible with steering and fender clearance.
Does the 1966 MG Midget Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1966 MG Midget Base uses the same two primary tire-size choices found on this model: 145R13 as the radial fitment and 520-13 as the bias-ply fitment. Both work with a 13-inch rim diameter.
That consistency makes size selection easier, but the real decision still matters. Owners of the Base model should focus on whether they want a radial or bias-ply construction, then compare sidewall style, tire series, and wheel-width suitability so the finished setup matches the car’s appearance and driving plans.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 520-13 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1966 MG Midget?
520-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1966 MG Midget. It uses the older numeric sizing system, and it represents the traditional construction choice among this model’s primary fitments, while 145R13 is the radial alternative.
Keeping 520-13 usually appeals to owners who want a more vintage presentation and a period-style tire format. Before choosing it, the practical checks are wheel width, condition of the car’s suspension and steering components, and whether the tire’s appearance and construction match the way the Midget will actually be driven.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 520-13?
Radial equivalents for 520-13 include 155R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P155/75R13 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P155/70R13 as a 70-series P-metric radial. A bias-look radial equivalent is not part of the available equivalent set for this size.
Those alternatives give a buyer several radial sizing approaches, but they should be treated as comparisons rather than automatic substitutions. A 4-5 inch rim-width range is associated with these equivalents, and wheel width, tire dimensions, and clearance around the Midget should all be checked before making the switch.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1966 MG Midget?
Either can be appropriate on a 1966 MG Midget because both a primary bias-ply size and a primary radial size are available. The choice depends less on basic fitment than on the owner’s priorities for appearance, construction type, and how closely the car should retain a traditional small-sports-car tire presentation.
A bias-ply setup in 520-13 suits owners who want vintage sizing and period-style character, while 145R13 offers a classic radial format on the same 13-inch rim diameter. The decision should be made after confirming wheel width, checking for any modifications, and considering how the car will be used on the road.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 520-13 tire for a 1966 MG Midget?
Start with the fact that 520-13 is the bias-ply fitment for the 1966 MG Midget. Once that construction choice is settled, the useful comparisons are sidewall style, tire series, brand, and any wheel-width and load details attached to the individual tires in that size.
Some 520-13 options emphasize a blackwall look, while others use narrow or wide whitewalls for a more customized or restoration-oriented appearance. It also helps to compare the car’s actual wheel width against the tire’s specification and think about whether the Midget is being set up for show presentation, occasional cruising, or regular road use.
What sidewall styles are available for 1966 MG Midget tires?
1966 MG Midget tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Blackwall appears in both radial and bias-ply choices, while the whitewall offerings are found among the 520-13 bias-ply selections.
That range makes sidewall style one of the biggest visual decisions on this car. A buyer choosing among them should think about whether the goal is a restrained sports-car look, a more restoration-oriented presentation, or a custom appearance, then make sure the preferred sidewall treatment is paired with the right construction and size.
What brands offer tires for the 1966 MG Midget?
Tires for the 1966 MG Midget are available from Michelin, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Michelin and Firestone appear in the 145R13 radial selection, while Firestone and Premium Sport offer 520-13 bias-ply choices in several visual styles.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor on a car this size and age. It makes more sense to compare the exact tire size, construction, sidewall appearance, tire series, and any wheel-width or load details that matter to the intended setup so the final choice suits both the car and the owner’s goals.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1966 MG Midget?
For a period-style 1966 MG Midget, the 520-13 bias-ply size is the natural starting point because it preserves the vintage numeric format and traditional construction. Within that size, buyers can choose between blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations depending on the look they want.
That does not automatically make every 520-13 tire the right historical match for every car, especially when restoration standards are strict. Owners chasing exact originality should compare the tire choice against marque literature or club guidance, while those aiming for a period-inspired look can focus more on construction and sidewall character.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1966 MG Midget?
Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1966 MG Midget because the two primary fitments present differently. A 520-13 bias-ply tire carries a distinctly vintage numeric format, while a 145R13 radial gives the car a classic but more modernized small-car tire presentation.
That difference matters even before the car moves. Buyers restoring for display often pay close attention to whether the tire looks true to the era, while owners building a driver may accept a radial format more readily. Sidewall style then becomes the finishing detail that shapes the Midget’s overall visual tone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1966 MG Midget?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1966 MG Midget even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Changes such as aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension work, ride-height adjustments, or body alterations can all influence how a 145R13 or 520-13 tire sits in the car.
A small sports car has less room for casual assumptions, so a modified Midget deserves a careful clearance check at the front suspension, steering travel, and wheel openings. The safest approach is to confirm the actual wheel dimensions first, then compare the chosen tire against the car’s real-world setup before installation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1966 MG Midget on new tires?
Before driving a 1966 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm the rim diameter and width, and make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size and construction for the setup. Tire pressure, valve condition, and basic clearance at full steering lock also deserve attention.
The rest of the car matters too, especially on a lightweight vintage roadster. Worn steering parts, tired suspension components, or alignment issues can undermine the benefit of new tires quickly, so a short post-installation check and a cautious first drive help confirm that the Midget is tracking, turning, and clearing properly.
How should 520-13 tires on a collector 1966 MG Midget be maintained?
520-13 tires on a collector 1966 MG Midget should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and careful storage habits. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and signs of air loss, especially if the car spends long periods parked between drives.
Collector cars often age their tires more through time and storage than through mileage. Keeping the Midget away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires, and routine inspections before each outing are wise because a low-use vintage car can develop tire issues quietly.
