1973 MG MGB Tires

A 1973 MG MGB can use 165R14, 155R14, or 520-14, depending on the sub-model and construction. The GT Coupe uses 165R14 radial tires, while the Roadster uses either 155R14 radial tires or 520-14 bias-ply tires. All three sizes are intended for 14-inch rims, but they are not interchangeable simply because the wheel diameter is the same.

The practical decision starts with confirming whether the car is a GT Coupe or a Roadster. After that, look at the wheels actually on the car and decide whether the goal is a radial driving setup or a more traditional bias-ply appearance. Cars that have been modified with different wheels or suspension parts should be checked carefully before choosing a size.

The 1973 MG MGB uses 14-inch rims with its applicable tire sizes. 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. The shared rim diameter helps narrow the search, but it does not mean every 14-inch tire is appropriate for every version of the car.

Wheel width still matters, especially when choosing among different radial products or evaluating a bias-ply option like 520-14. A car with replacement wheels may have the correct diameter but a different width than expected, which can affect tire choice. Checking the wheel before buying is the safest way to avoid clearance or profile issues.

No, the 1973 MG MGB sub-models do not all share 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 fitment question is tied directly to body style and, in the Roadster's case, also to construction choice.

That difference matters because a GT Coupe owner is choosing within one radial size, while a Roadster owner may be deciding between two size and construction paths. Before selecting tires, confirm the sub-model and inspect the car for wheel changes. A Roadster wearing non-original wheels may need closer measurement before moving between radial and bias-ply options.

On the 1973 MG MGB, 520-14 is a bias-ply tire size used on the Roadster. It follows the older numeric bias-ply sizing system, where 5.20 refers to nominal section width in inches and 14 is the rim diameter. The available 520-14 choices are bias-ply tires rather than radial tires.

That matters because a 520-14 Roadster setup carries a different construction feel and appearance than the 155R14 radial alternative. Bias-ply selection is often driven by traditional presentation, including narrow whitewall styling in this size. Before changing away from 520-14, compare the actual wheel width and vehicle clearance rather than assuming another 14-inch size will behave the same way.

That depends on the sub-model and the type of result you want from the car. The 1973 MG MGB GT Coupe uses a 165R14 radial fitment, while the Roadster can follow either a 155R14 radial path or a 520-14 bias-ply path. Radials and bias-ply tires are both relevant on this MGB, but they serve different priorities.

A Roadster owner usually makes the clearest construction decision. Bias-ply 520-14 is the more traditional-looking route, especially with narrow whitewalls, while 155R14 keeps the car in a radial format. The best choice starts with how the car is used, the appearance you want, and whether the current wheel width and overall setup suit the construction you plan to run.

Start by confirming that the car is a Roadster, since that is the sub-model with both 520-14 bias-ply and 155R14 radial fitments. Then verify the actual wheel diameter and width, because both sizes use a 14-inch rim but radial products may have different wheel-width requirements than a narrow bias-ply setup.

The next checks are physical and practical rather than just numeric. Look at steering clearance, fender space, suspension condition, and how the car sits at ride height. An MGB that has different wheels, altered springs, or other modifications should be measured carefully. Keeping the conversion honest to the car means matching the tire to the wheel and the vehicle's intended use.

Start with the exact sub-model and size. A 1973 MG MGB GT Coupe uses 165R14 radials, while a Roadster uses either 155R14 radial tires or 520-14 bias-ply tires. After size and construction are settled, the real comparison points become brand, tire series, sidewall style, and whether the wheel width on the car suits the product being considered.

Appearance and intended driving use usually shape the final decision. A blackwall radial keeps the car in a classic road-use format, while a 520-14 bias-ply tire moves the Roadster toward a more traditional visual presentation. Product details such as max load figures and rim-width ranges are worth comparing when more than one option exists in the same size.

The sidewall choices for a 1973 MG MGB depend on the tire size. The radial 165R14 and 155R14 options are available as blackwall tires, while the 520-14 bias-ply options are offered with narrow whitewall styling. That means sidewall appearance is tied closely to the construction and size path chosen for the car.

A GT Coupe owner selecting 165R14 is comparing blackwall radial products, while a Roadster owner has a broader appearance decision to make. Choosing 520-14 brings a stronger vintage look, especially on a restoration-minded car, but it also means staying with bias-ply construction. Matching the sidewall style to the car's intended presentation usually matters as much as the brand name.

Several brands cover 1973 MG MGB fitments. The 165R14 radial size is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, while 155R14 radial options come from Michelin and Firestone. The 520-14 bias-ply size is offered in the Premium Sport line. Brand choice therefore depends heavily on which size and construction path applies to the car.

Once the correct size is settled, compare the tire series within that size rather than choosing by name alone. A GT Coupe owner shopping 165R14 has a different set of brand and series options than a Roadster owner staying with 520-14. Looking at sidewall style, rim-width compatibility, and other product details gives a more useful comparison than brand alone.

A period-style choice depends on the sub-model and the look you want to preserve. For a GT Coupe, 165R14 keeps the car in a classic Euro-metric radial format. For a Roadster, either 155R14 radial tires or 520-14 bias-ply tires can make sense, with 520-14 offering the more traditional construction and narrow whitewall presentation.

Appearance is only part of the decision, so the tire should still suit the wheel and how the car is driven. When exact originality matters, check model-specific historical references or marque-club guidance before settling on a brand or sidewall treatment. That extra step helps separate a general period-style match from a more exact restoration choice.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1973 MG MGB as much as the driving feel. The radial fitments, 165R14 and 155R14, are presented here in blackwall form and give the car a clean classic road-going look. The 520-14 bias-ply option adds a more traditional profile and is offered with narrow whitewall styling.

That distinction matters most on the Roadster, where both radial and bias-ply directions are available. A restoration focused on a traditional visual presentation may lean toward 520-14, while a driver-oriented restoration may stay with radial construction. The final choice should still be checked against the actual wheels on the car so the appearance goal does not create a fitment problem.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1973 MG MGB even when the car still uses a 14-inch wheel. Aftermarket wheels can change width and offset, and suspension changes can alter available clearance at the fenders and steering components. Those differences matter whether the car is a GT Coupe on 165R14 or a Roadster using 155R14 or 520-14.

A modified MGB should be treated as an individual setup rather than a stock-size assumption. Measure the wheels, inspect the car at normal ride height, and turn the steering from lock to lock before finalizing a tire choice. Small sports cars do not leave much room for guesswork, especially when moving between radial and bias-ply constructions.

Before driving a 1973 MG MGB on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, make sure the tires are seated properly, and confirm clearances around the fenders, suspension, and steering. Tire pressure should be set correctly for the product in use, and the car should be checked for obvious alignment or suspension problems that could affect wear.

A short shakedown drive is a smart next step, especially on a collector car that may sit for long periods. Listen for rubbing, feel for pulling or vibration, and recheck pressure after the first drive. On an MGB, even a correct size can behave differently if the car has tired suspension bushings, bent wheels, or previous modifications.

Collector-car tires on a 1973 MG MGB should be inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss. That applies to radial sizes like 165R14 and 155R14 as well as the 520-14 bias-ply option. A car that sees limited mileage still needs tire attention because age and storage conditions can matter as much as tread depth.

Proper storage helps preserve both appearance and service condition. Keeping the MGB away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources is especially important, and pressure should be checked even when the car is not driven often. Before any longer drive, a fresh visual inspection and pressure check are more useful than assuming low-mileage tires are automatically road-ready.