The 1972 MG Midget sits squarely in the classic British sports car tradition, with light weight, simple proportions, and the kind of direct road feel that made small open-top cars so appealing in the early 1970s. For owners, tire choice plays a major role in preserving that character because this model uses a single primary size: 145R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. That keeps fitment straightforward, but there is still meaningful choice within the size, including Michelin and Firestone options in blackwall form. The real decision is how closely the tire’s construction, appearance, and dimensions suit your restoration goals and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1972 MG Midget
The 1972 MG Midget uses one primary tire size: 145R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. The Base model uses that same size, so fitment is straightforward across the covered sub-model. Once size is confirmed, the main choice becomes which 145R13 tire best matches the car’s character, wheel width, and the balance you want between period-style presentation and road use.
145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 identifies the rim diameter in inches. On a 1972 MG Midget, that radial format suits the car’s small, lightweight sports-car layout and keeps the fitment centered on a 13-inch wheel. Available choices in this size include Michelin and Firestone offerings, both in blackwall form and in distinct tire series. This is the size to evaluate when maintaining the Midget’s intended proportions while comparing brand character, rim-width compatibility, and restoration-minded appearance.
Fitment is simple for the covered 1972 MG Midget sub-models because the same tire size is used throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its proper wheel and tire setup before choosing among the available 145R13 radial options.
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1972 MG Midget Base
The 1972 MG Midget Base uses the same 145R13 radial fitment that defines this model year. That makes tire selection more about choosing the right tire within the correct size, with attention to wheel width, brand character, and whether the goal is regular road use or a more restoration-oriented presentation.
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 1972 MG Midget Tires for Sale
Available 145R13 choices for the 1972 MG Midget include Michelin and Firestone radial tires in blackwall form. The product grid lets you compare tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, load specification where stated, and other details that shape a restoration-minded or road-use decision.
These FAQs focus on the key tire questions for a 1972 MG Midget, including 145R13 fitment, 13-inch rim compatibility, product selection, appearance, and the checks worth making before putting a classic sports car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1972 MG Midget?
The 1972 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model year, and it places the car on a 13-inch rim with a narrow Euro-metric radial size that suits the Midget’s compact sports-car proportions.
The practical step is confirming that the car still has its intended 13-inch wheels and has not been changed to another setup over the years. Once that is verified, the choice is not between several primary sizes but between available 145R13 tires, their rim-width suitability, and how closely their appearance and specifications match your goals.
What size rim does a 1972 MG Midget use?
A 1972 MG Midget uses a 13-inch rim with its 145R13 tire size. The tire code itself ends in 13, which identifies the wheel diameter in inches, and that matches the wheel size used with this fitment.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still smart to check actual wheel width before choosing a tire. One available 145R13 option is paired with a 4.00 to 5.00 inch rim-width range, which makes width confirmation especially useful if the car has replacement wheels or has been altered from its original wheel setup.
Does the 1972 MG Midget Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1972 MG Midget Base uses the same 145R13 radial tire size as the model’s core fitment. That keeps sub-model fitment simple and avoids the kind of trim-to-trim tire-size variation seen on some other vehicles.
Even with shared fitment, it is still worth looking at the wheels actually on the car before selecting a tire. Older British sports cars are often changed over time, so checking wheel diameter, wheel width, and general clearance helps ensure that the 145R13 size remains the right starting point for both appearance and road use.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 145R13 tire for a 1972 MG Midget?
Start with the confirmed fitment: 145R13 radial on a 13-inch rim. From there, compare the available tires by brand, tire series, blackwall presentation, and any stated specifications such as rim-width range, load figure, and weight, since those details help separate one 145R13 option from another.
A small, lightweight car like the Midget tends to show tire differences clearly, so the right choice depends on how the car is used and how you want it to look. A restoration-minded owner may focus on traditional proportions and presentation, while a road-use buyer may pay closer attention to wheel compatibility and the specific specifications attached to each product.
What brands offer tires for the 1972 MG Midget?
Michelin and Firestone both offer 145R13 tires for the 1972 MG Midget. In this size, the available tire series include the Michelin XAS-FF and the Firestone F560 Radial, giving the car more than one brand path while staying within the correct primary fitment.
Brand choice should still come after confirming the proper size and wheel setup. Rather than treating one name as universally better, compare how each tire’s series, stated specifications, and intended look fit your car, especially if the Midget is being kept close to a period-style presentation or is driven regularly on today’s roads.
How do I choose between the available 145R13 tires for a 1972 MG Midget?
Choosing between available 145R13 tires comes down to the details inside the same size. The current options differ by brand, tire series, stated weight, and available specification details such as rim-width range or load information, while keeping the same blackwall sidewall style and radial construction.
That means the smartest comparison is not just price or name recognition, but how each tire aligns with the wheel on the car and the result you want from it. A Midget used for weekend driving may call for one approach, while a restoration-oriented car may benefit from a tire whose proportions and presentation better support the car’s traditional British sports-car character.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1972 MG Midget?
A period-style approach starts with the correct 145R13 radial size, since that is the primary fitment for the 1972 MG Midget. Keeping the right size preserves the car’s intended stance and helps avoid the oversized look that can quickly change the appearance of a small British sports car.
From there, compare the available 145R13 options by tire series and overall presentation rather than assuming any one tire is exact to original factory delivery. Owners pursuing a highly exact restoration should match the tire choice against marque references, period photos, and vehicle-specific history, while still confirming that the wheel dimensions on the car remain suitable.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1972 MG Midget restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1972 MG Midget because the car is small, lightly styled, and visually sensitive to wheel-and-tire proportion. Staying with the proper 145R13 size helps maintain the balanced look that suits the car’s body, ride height, and traditional roadster character.
Fitment also affects more than appearance. A tire that strays too far from the intended setup can change how the car sits, how the wheel wells look, and how much clearance is available around suspension and steering components. For restoration work, the safest starting point is the correct size on the correct rim diameter, followed by careful wheel-width confirmation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1972 MG Midget?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 MG Midget even when the intended tire size is still 145R13. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, altered offset, suspension changes, or body work can all change how much room the tire has at the fender, steering, and suspension points.
That is why a modified car should be checked as it sits, not only by model year and nameplate. Measure the wheel diameter and width, inspect clearances at full steering lock, and make sure the tire choice matches the car’s actual setup. Those checks are especially important on compact sports cars, where space is tighter and visual proportion changes quickly.
What should I inspect before driving a 1972 MG Midget on new tires?
Before driving a 1972 MG Midget on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tires are seated properly, and check inflation pressure carefully. It also makes sense to look over suspension, steering, wheel bearings, and brake components, since an older sports car often benefits from a broader roadworthiness check.
A short, cautious test drive is the best follow-up. Listen for rubbing, feel for vibration, and recheck air pressure afterward. Collector vehicles that have spent long periods parked deserve extra attention to cracked rubber parts, loose fasteners, and aged chassis components, because fresh tires can only perform properly when the rest of the car is equally ready for use.
How should 145R13 tires on a collector 1972 MG Midget be maintained?
145R13 tires on a collector 1972 MG Midget should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and careful storage habits. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car is driven only occasionally or spends long periods parked between outings.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as mileage on a lightly used classic. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. It is also smart to inspect the tires before every meaningful drive, since age and inactivity can affect a collector car’s tires long before the tread appears worn out.
