1968 MG MGB Tires

The 1968 MG MGB uses more than one primary tire size. The GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the Roadster uses either 155R14 radial tires or 520-14 bias-ply tires. All of these fitments use a 14-inch rim, so the main difference is tied to sub-model and construction rather than wheel diameter alone.

The practical step is to confirm whether the car is a GT Coupe or Roadster and then verify the wheel setup already on the vehicle. A Roadster owner should also decide whether the goal is to stay with a radial tire or retain a bias-ply presentation, since that affects both appearance and how the car feels on the road.

The 1968 MG MGB uses a 14-inch rim across its primary tire fitments. That applies to the 165R14 radial used on the GT Coupe, the 155R14 radial used on the Roadster, and the 520-14 bias-ply option also used on the Roadster. Rim diameter is consistent even though tire size and construction can vary.

That consistency helps narrow the fitment question, but it does not make every 14-inch tire automatically suitable. Wheel width still matters, especially when comparing different radial products or a narrower bias-ply setup, so it is smart to inspect the actual wheels on the car before choosing among the available sizes.

No, 1968 MG MGB sub-models do not all use the same tire size. The GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the Roadster uses either 155R14 radial tires or 520-14 bias-ply tires. That means the MGB's tire choice is tied directly to the specific sub-model rather than being uniform across the full model line.

This matters because a tire that suits one MGB configuration may not reflect the intended setup for another. Anyone replacing tires should start by confirming the car's exact body style and then compare the existing wheel and tire combination on the vehicle, especially if it has been restored, modified, or converted at some point.

520-14 is a bias-ply tire size on the 1968 MG MGB. It appears on the Roadster and uses a vintage numeric bias-ply format rather than a metric radial format. That makes it distinct from the Roadster's 155R14 radial option and from the GT Coupe's 165R14 radial fitment.

Choosing 520-14 usually means the owner is prioritizing a more traditional tire construction and a classic visual presentation. Before staying with or returning to that setup, it is wise to confirm the wheel width and inspect the car's current tire-and-wheel combination so the selected bias-ply tire matches the vehicle's actual configuration.

That depends on the sub-model and the type of MGB you want to maintain. The 1968 MGB GT Coupe uses a radial size, 165R14, while the Roadster can use either a 155R14 radial or a 520-14 bias-ply tire. The choice is therefore tied to both correct fitment and the owner's preference for period-style presentation or radial construction.

A Roadster owner should think about how the car will be used and how closely the tire choice should reflect a traditional appearance. A bias-ply tire can support a more vintage look, while a radial setup may better suit owners already running radial wheels and tires, provided the wheel dimensions and clearances are checked first.

Start by confirming that the MGB is a Roadster, since that is the sub-model that carries both a bias-ply and a radial fitment. The Roadster uses either 520-14 bias-ply or 155R14 radial tires, both on 14-inch rims. That means the conversion question is really about wheel suitability and overall vehicle setup rather than rim diameter alone.

Wheel width, tire clearance, steering travel, and the condition of suspension and steering components should all be inspected before changing construction. A car that has aftermarket wheels, altered ride height, or long-stored components deserves extra attention, because radial conversion should be evaluated against the actual setup rather than assumed from the size code alone.

Begin with the exact fitment for the car. A 1968 MG MGB GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the Roadster uses either 155R14 radial or 520-14 bias-ply tires. Once the correct size and construction are established, the next considerations are brand, tire series, sidewall style, and whether the tire matches the car's intended appearance and road use.

The available choices range from classic blackwall radials to narrow whitewall bias-ply tires, so selection is not only about dimensions. Comparing rim-width specifications where they are available is worthwhile, especially on older cars that may no longer carry their original wheels, and that check can help avoid a mismatch between tire design and wheel setup.

The 1968 MG MGB has both blackwall and narrow whitewall tire choices, depending on size and construction. The radial sizes, 165R14 and 155R14, are offered as blackwall tires, while the 520-14 bias-ply options are available with narrow whitewall styling. That creates a clear visual split between the radial and bias-ply offerings.

Sidewall choice can shape the overall character of the car, especially on a restoration or a carefully presented driver. A blackwall radial tends to keep the look restrained and sporting, while a narrow whitewall bias-ply option introduces a more decorative period-style accent, so the best choice depends on the look the owner wants to emphasize.

Tire choices for the 1968 MG MGB include Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, Firestone, and Premium Sport. Brand availability depends on the tire size: 165R14 appears with Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, 155R14 appears with Michelin and Firestone, and 520-14 bias-ply tires are offered by Premium Sport.

Brand is only one part of the decision, since the available products also differ by tire series, construction, sidewall treatment, weight, and in some cases rim-width specification or load information. The most useful comparison is within the correct size for the car, because each size group serves a different MGB configuration and tire character.

A period-style 1968 MG MGB starts with the correct size for the specific sub-model. The GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the Roadster can be fitted with either 155R14 radial or 520-14 bias-ply tires. That gives Roadster owners the clearest choice between a traditional bias-ply presentation and a more classic radial appearance.

The right visual result depends on how strictly the car is being restored and what look the owner wants to preserve. When originality matters at a high level, it is worth checking marque references or restoration records, since a period-style tire can be appropriate without automatically being the exact historical brand or sidewall treatment.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1968 MG MGB as much as it changes the technical layout. A radial such as 165R14 or 155R14 presents the car with a classic European blackwall look, while the 520-14 bias-ply option gives the Roadster a more overtly vintage appearance, especially with a narrow whitewall sidewall treatment.

That difference is especially noticeable on a small British sports car, where tire proportion and sidewall style are easy to see. Owners restoring for shows, casual touring, or a particular era impression should choose construction and sidewall treatment together, rather than treating the tire as a purely mechanical replacement.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 MG MGB even when the tire size itself is correct for the car. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension alterations, or body modifications can all influence how a 165R14, 155R14, or 520-14 tire sits and clears during normal driving and steering movement.

That is why fitment should be checked against the car as it sits today rather than against year-and-model information alone. An MGB with non-original wheels or altered ride height should have wheel dimensions and clearance inspected carefully before a new tire is selected, especially when switching between radial and bias-ply construction.

Before driving a 1968 MG MGB on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and suitable width, then check that the tires clear the fenders and steering components through their full range of movement. It is also smart to verify inflation, look over valve stems, and confirm that the suspension and steering are in sound condition.

Classic cars often spend long periods parked, so a broader safety check is worthwhile before regular road use begins. Brakes, wheel bearings, alignment condition, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear deserve attention early, because a fresh set of tires performs best when the rest of the car is ready for road service too.

Tires on a collector 1968 MG MGB should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any signs of age-related deterioration. That matters whether the car is running 165R14 or 155R14 radials or a 520-14 bias-ply tire, because low annual mileage does not prevent rubber from aging.

Storage conditions are just as important as mileage on a lightly used car. Keeping the MGB away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve tire condition, and periodic inspections remain important even when the car is seldom driven, since long stationary periods can hide developing tire problems.