The 1967 MG sits squarely in the British sporting tradition, with light weight, direct road manners, and compact proportions that make tire choice especially important to the way the car looks and feels. For this model year, buyers will encounter both a 5.90-14 bias-ply fitment and a 165R14 radial fitment, both built for 14-inch wheels. That creates a real decision between vintage-style bias-ply character and a later radial-style setup. In 165R14, choices include classic blackwall radials from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The right selection starts with the car's current wheel setup, the intended driving use, and whether period-style appearance or radial road manners matters more.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1967 MG
The 1967 MG uses two primary tire sizes, and the choice centers on construction rather than rim diameter since both fit 14-inch wheels. One is a vintage 5.90-14 bias-ply size, and the other is a 165R14 radial, so the first step is confirming whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply configuration or has been set up for radial tires.
165R14 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 indicates the nominal section width in millimeters, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1967 MG, this size represents the radial fitment path and is relevant for owners who want a classic radial layout on a 14-inch wheel. Available choices include blackwall tires from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein in series such as Cinturato CA67, XAS, and Sprint Classic. It is a useful size to evaluate when the goal is a period-sensitive appearance with established vintage radial offerings.
5.90-14 is a numeric bias-ply size where 5.90 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 14 identifies the wheel diameter. For a 1967 MG, this is the traditional bias-ply fitment and suits owners who want to stay closer to an earlier tire construction style on the original wheel diameter. Bias-ply sizing reads very differently from modern metric sizes, so it is important to recognize that this is not just another radial designation in a different format. This size is worth considering when restoration character and vintage tire presentation take priority.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward here because the covered 1967 MG sub-model uses the same two 14-inch tire-size paths. The key is deciding whether the car is running the radial 165R14 setup or the bias-ply 5.90-14 configuration before comparing tire choices.
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1967 MG Magnette IV
The 1967 MG Magnette IV can be fitted with either 165R14 radial tires or 5.90-14 bias-ply tires on 14-inch wheels. That means tire selection should begin with the car's current wheel and construction setup, then move to the desired balance of vintage appearance, road use, and available radial product choices.
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 1967 MG Tires for sale
Available 165R14 choices focus on classic blackwall radial tires from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. The product grid lets buyers compare vintage radial series, construction details, and rim-width specifications where they apply.
These FAQs focus on 1967 MG tire size, 14-inch rim fitment, bias-ply versus radial choices, available blackwall radial options, restoration-minded selection, and the checks worth making before putting a collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1967 MG?
A 1967 MG uses either a 165R14 radial tire or a 5.90-14 bias-ply tire, and both are built for 14-inch wheels. The covered sub-model, the Magnette IV, uses these same two primary size paths, so the fitment question is mainly about construction choice rather than a change in wheel diameter.
The practical step is to confirm what is already on the car before selecting replacements. A car set up around radial tires may call for a different buying decision than one being kept in a traditional bias-ply configuration, especially if wheel width, suspension condition, or restoration appearance is part of the plan.
What size rim does a 1967 MG use?
The 1967 MG uses a 14-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That applies whether the car is running the 165R14 radial size or the 5.90-14 bias-ply size, so wheel diameter stays consistent even though tire construction changes.
Rim diameter is only one part of the fitment picture. Wheel width should still be checked, especially when moving into a radial tire, and any car with aftermarket wheels should be measured rather than assumed. Clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering lock is worth confirming before committing to a new set.
Does the 1967 MG Magnette IV use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1967 MG Magnette IV uses the same two primary size options found on this page: 165R14 in radial form and 5.90-14 in bias-ply form. The sub-model does not introduce a different rim diameter, so the main distinction remains which tire construction the car is set up to use.
That shared fitment keeps the buying process simpler, but it does not remove the need to inspect the actual car. A restored or modified Magnette IV may be wearing different wheels than expected, and a long-stored car should have its wheel condition, tire age, and clearance checked before new tires are selected or driven on.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Is 5.90-14 a bias-ply or radial tire for the 1967 MG?
5.90-14 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1967 MG. It follows the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the number refers to nominal section width in inches and the final number identifies the 14-inch wheel diameter.
That matters because a bias-ply setup carries a different period look and construction character than the 165R14 radial alternative. Before changing from one construction type to the other, it is wise to confirm wheel width, overall setup, and clearance so the car's current configuration matches the type of tire being considered.
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1967 MG?
The 1967 MG can be approached either way, depending on the car and the owner's priorities. A 5.90-14 bias-ply tire suits a more traditional vintage presentation, while a 165R14 radial follows the radial fitment path available for this model year and opens access to established classic radial offerings.
The better choice depends on how the car is being used and how closely the tire appearance should follow a period-style look. A collector car preserved for shows may lean one way, while a car driven more regularly may lean another. Wheel dimensions and actual vehicle setup should be checked before making a construction change.
What should I check before converting my 1967 MG from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming that the car is using the correct 14-inch wheels for the intended radial size and that the wheel width is appropriate for the radial tire being considered. On a 1967 MG, the relevant radial size is 165R14, so the conversion is about more than simply matching wheel diameter.
A careful check should also include fender and steering clearance, suspension condition, and the actual wheel setup on the car today. Any previous modifications, replacement wheels, or long-term wear can affect fitment. That inspection is especially important on a vintage sedan where originality, drivability, and appearance may all matter.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 165R14 or 5.90-14 tire for a 1967 MG?
The first consideration is whether the car should remain on the traditional 5.90-14 bias-ply fitment or move within the 165R14 radial fitment path. Both use a 14-inch wheel, but the construction type changes the kind of products available and strongly influences the car's overall presentation.
From there, look at the condition and dimensions of the wheels actually on the car, then match the tire choice to the intended use. A restoration-oriented car may place more weight on vintage appearance, while a road-driven car may focus on available radial offerings. Product details such as rim-width guidance and load figures can help narrow the choice.
What brands offer tires for the 1967 MG?
In the 165R14 radial size, the 1967 MG has options from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those choices give the buyer access to several recognized vintage-style radial lines rather than forcing the car into a single-brand path for its radial fitment.
Brand should be considered alongside size, construction, and the tire's overall character rather than on name alone. Comparing series details, blackwall presentation, rim-width compatibility where stated, and any load or weight specifications will usually be more useful than trying to rank one brand above another for every MG owner.
What tire series are available for the 1967 MG?
The 165R14 radial fitment for the 1967 MG is available in several tire series, including Pirelli Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. Each series stays within the same general vintage radial theme while giving the buyer more than one way to outfit the car in the correct radial size.
Series differences are useful when the car's look and intended use are both part of the decision. A buyer comparing these options should keep the correct size first, then review details such as blackwall styling, rim-width guidance, and other stated product characteristics. That approach keeps selection grounded in fitment rather than appearance alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1967 MG?
A period-style 1967 MG usually starts with deciding whether the car should present as a traditional bias-ply sedan or as one equipped with a classic radial. The 5.90-14 bias-ply size supports a more vintage construction style, while 165R14 gives access to blackwall radial tires with an established classic look.
That choice depends on how strictly the restoration is being interpreted and how the car will be used after completion. When exact originality matters, marque references and vehicle-specific historical documentation are worth consulting. For many owners, the practical goal is a tire that looks appropriate to the era without overstating factory accuracy.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1967 MG?
Tire construction changes more than ride behavior on a restored 1967 MG; it also affects the car's visual character. A 5.90-14 bias-ply tire brings the traditional numeric sizing format and vintage construction style, while a 165R14 radial gives the car a later-style radial presentation in a classic blackwall format.
On a car with careful restoration work, those differences can influence how authentic or updated the finished look feels. Side profile, sidewall wording, and overall tire character all matter visually, even when wheel diameter stays the same. Choosing the construction first usually makes the appearance decision much clearer.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1967 MG?
Yes. A 1967 MG may share the same 14-inch rim diameter across its primary tire sizes, but modifications can still affect whether a chosen tire works properly on the car. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body work can all change the space available around the tire.
That is why an older car should be measured as it sits today rather than judged only by its original fitment pattern. Clearance at full steering lock, distance to the fender lip, and the relationship between tire and suspension components are all worth checking before mounting new tires for regular driving.
What should I inspect before driving a 1967 MG on new tires?
Before putting a 1967 MG back on the road, inspect wheel condition, lug hardware, valve stems, and overall tire inflation. It is also smart to check for uneven suspension wear, loose steering components, and any signs that the car has been sitting long enough for old alignment or wheel issues to go unnoticed.
A short test drive should be preceded by a careful look at tire-to-body and tire-to-suspension clearance. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so sidewall age on existing tires, fluid leaks that could reach the tires, and air retention on the new set deserve attention before the car is trusted on a longer run.
How should tires on a collector 1967 MG be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1967 MG should be inspected regularly even if the car is driven only occasionally. Pressure should be kept consistent, tread and sidewalls should be checked for cracking, cuts, or bulges, and any sign of repeated air loss should be addressed before the car goes back into normal road use.
Storage matters just as much as mileage on a vintage car. Keeping the MG away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically and recheck the tires before tours or seasonal use rather than assuming low mileage means low risk.
