The 1970 MG Midget belongs to the era when small British sports cars delivered their appeal through light weight, direct steering, and simple open-top fun rather than outright horsepower. For many owners, keeping that nimble character intact starts with choosing the right tire size and profile. The 1970 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial on a 13-inch rim, so the focus is less about sorting through multiple fitments and more about selecting the right tire within that size. Available choices include blackwall radial options from Michelin and Firestone, giving buyers a balance between period-style appearance and practical road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1970 MG Midget
The 1970 MG Midget uses one primary tire size: 145R13, a radial tire for a 13-inch rim. The Base sub-model uses that same fitment, so the main decision is not which size fits, but which 145R13 tire best matches your goals for appearance, brand preference, and the way the car will be driven and maintained.
145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. In this format, the missing aspect ratio is commonly associated with an 80-series profile, which suits the MG Midget’s compact wheel and tire proportions. Available choices include blackwall tires from Michelin and Firestone in series such as Michelin XAS-FF and F560 Radial. For most owners, the real comparison is between tire character, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of period-style road presentation they want.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1970 MG Midget sub-models. The key value in checking the sub-model is simply confirming that the car remains on its expected wheel and tire setup before comparing available 145R13 options.
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1970 MG Midget Base
The 1970 MG Midget Base uses the same 145R13 radial fitment as the model overall, keeping tire selection simple at the size level. That lets the decision shift toward choosing between the available blackwall radial options and confirming that the wheel setup on the car still matches the original-style 13-inch arrangement.
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 1970 MG Midget Tires for Sale
Available 145R13 choices for the 1970 MG Midget come from Michelin and Firestone, with blackwall radial designs in the Michelin XAS-FF and F560 Radial series. Comparing them starts with brand, tire series, weight, and rim-width compatibility rather than size changes.
Owners of a 1970 MG Midget usually want quick answers about 145R13 fitment, 13-inch wheel compatibility, available radial choices, restoration-minded appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a lightly used sports car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1970 MG Midget?
A 1970 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for the model, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size, so there is no need to sort through multiple original tire sizes for this year and model.
The practical decision is choosing the right 145R13 tire rather than choosing between different sizes. Start by confirming that the car still has 13-inch wheels and that no previous owner changed the wheel or suspension setup, then compare the available radial options by brand, series, sidewall style, and wheel-width suitability.
What size rim does a 1970 MG Midget use?
The 1970 MG Midget uses a 13-inch rim with its 145R13 tire size. The size code itself confirms the rim diameter, and the available tires for this fitment are built around that 13-inch wheel requirement.
Rim diameter is only the first check, especially on a small sports car that may have been modified over the years. It is still important to verify actual wheel width and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires, since a correct diameter alone does not confirm that every 13-inch wheel on the car is equally suitable.
Does the 1970 MG Midget Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1970 MG Midget Base uses the same 145R13 radial tire size as the model overall. That keeps fitment simple and means the selection process centers on the style and specification of the tire rather than on sub-model-specific size differences.
Even with shared fitment, it is worth checking that the car still wears the expected wheel package. A vintage MG may have received aftermarket wheels or different tires over time, so confirming the actual rim diameter and width on the car helps ensure that the new 145R13 tire matches the wheel and preserves proper clearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 145R13 tire for a 1970 MG Midget?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1970 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. After that, compare the available tires by brand, tire series, sidewall presentation, rim-width suitability, weight, and any load specification that matters for the way the car will be used.
A small British sports car responds noticeably to tire choice, even when the size remains the same. Some owners prioritize a period-style look, while others care more about road manners on local drives and touring use. Matching the tire to the car’s actual wheel dimensions and intended use will usually matter more than chasing minor specification differences.
What sidewall styles are available for 1970 MG Midget tires?
The available 145R13 tires for a 1970 MG Midget are offered in blackwall form. That gives the car a clean, understated presentation that suits the compact, traditional look many owners want from a Midget without introducing a more aggressive or heavily styled sidewall treatment.
Because the sidewall choices stay simple, the comparison shifts to brand and tire series rather than decorative appearance. If the goal is a restoration-oriented look, blackwall keeps the visual focus on the car’s original small-sports-car proportions. It is still wise to confirm wheel finish, ride height, and overall stance so the finished appearance stays balanced.
What brands offer tires for the 1970 MG Midget?
The available 145R13 tire choices for a 1970 MG Midget include Michelin and Firestone. In this size, those brands appear in series such as Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial, giving owners more than one way to stay with the proper radial fitment.
Brand choice should be viewed as part of the overall selection, not as the only factor. Compare each tire’s series, sidewall presentation, weight, and wheel-width suitability alongside how the car is actually driven. A lightly used collector Midget and a regularly driven road car may point the owner toward different priorities even within the same size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1970 MG Midget?
A period-style approach for a 1970 MG Midget starts with staying in the correct 145R13 radial size on a 13-inch rim. Since the available tires remain within that original-style sizing convention, the choice becomes one of brand, tire series, and the overall visual character you want the car to present.
Blackwall tires suit the MG Midget’s simple sports-car proportions and keep the look restrained. Exact originality can extend beyond size alone, so owners pursuing a highly detailed restoration should compare tire appearance against period photos, marque-club guidance, and other vehicle-specific references before deciding which 145R13 option best supports the project.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1970 MG Midget restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1970 MG Midget restoration because the car’s proportions are small and visually sensitive to changes in tire size and profile. Staying with the proper 145R13 radial size helps preserve the overall stance and avoids turning the tire into a distracting styling element.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. Wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire profile all influence how naturally the restored car sits and how much clearance remains around the fenders and suspension. Even when the goal is mainly visual authenticity, confirming the actual wheels on the car is an important part of getting the finished presentation right.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1970 MG Midget?
Yes. A 1970 MG Midget may use the correct 145R13 tire size in stock form, but aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body modifications can change what works safely and cleanly on the car. Even a correct-size tire should be matched to the actual wheel and vehicle setup.
Small sports cars have limited clearance, so minor changes can matter more than they would on a larger vehicle. Check wheel diameter, wheel width, steering travel, and fender clearance before finalizing a tire choice. Looking over ride height and suspension condition at the same time helps avoid fitment surprises after installation.
What should I inspect before driving a 1970 MG Midget on new tires?
Before driving a 1970 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper tire pressure, and make sure the tires seat correctly on the rims. It is also smart to check for any signs of rubbing at full steering lock and during normal suspension movement.
A fresh set of tires cannot compensate for worn suspension, loose steering components, or poor wheel condition. Looking over the car’s alignment behavior, wheel hardware, and general undercar condition will help the new 145R13 tires work as intended. A short, careful road test is a sensible final step before longer drives.
How should 145R13 tires on a collector 1970 MG Midget be maintained?
145R13 tires on a collector 1970 MG Midget should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections for cracking or cuts, and periodic tread and sidewall reviews even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low annual mileage does not prevent tire aging, especially on vehicles that spend long periods parked.
Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on a lightly used MG. Keeping the car away from prolonged sun, heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tires’ condition over time. It also helps to move the car periodically and inspect for slow air loss so a stored set does not deteriorate unnoticed.
