The 1973 MG Midget belongs to the final years of a small British sports car formula built around light weight, simple mechanicals, and lively road manners rather than outright power. That character makes tire choice especially important, because a narrow, properly sized tire plays a real role in how the car looks and feels on the road. The 1973 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial on a 13-inch rim, keeping the fitment straightforward. Available choices in that size include blackwall radial options from Michelin and Firestone. For a restoration-minded owner or a driver preparing a roadworthy Midget, the main decision is selecting the right radial within the correct vintage-size format.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1973 MG Midget
The 1973 MG Midget uses one primary tire size: 145R13. It is a radial fitment on a 13-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered sub-model here, so the main choice is not between multiple sizes but between the available tires within that format, along with considerations such as brand, rim-width compatibility, and intended use.
145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, R indicates radial construction, and 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this format, the aspect ratio is not stated in the size itself, though it is commonly treated as an 80-series type of radial sizing. For the 1973 MG Midget, this size keeps the fitment narrow and traditional, with blackwall options available in series such as Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial. It is the size to evaluate when preserving the car’s intended proportions and confirming wheel compatibility.
Tire fitment is straightforward for the covered 1973 MG Midget sub-model. The same primary size is used here, so checking the sub-model mainly helps confirm that the car has not been altered with different wheels or a non-stock tire setup.
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1973 MG Midget Base
The 1973 MG Midget Base uses the 145R13 radial tire size. That keeps tire selection centered on choosing the right radial in the proper vintage format and confirming that the car still carries the correct 13-inch wheel setup.
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 1973 MG Midget Tires for Sale
Available 145R13 choices for the 1973 MG Midget include Michelin and Firestone blackwall radials. The product grid is where to compare tire series, radial construction details, rim-width compatibility where stated, and other practical differences within this single vintage size.
These FAQs for the 1973 MG Midget focus on the 145R13 tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, choosing between available radial options, restoration-minded appearance, and the inspections worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1973 MG Midget?
The 1973 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model and it matches a 13-inch wheel diameter, giving the car the narrow vintage-sized radial profile associated with its original-era layout.
Using the correct size matters because a small sports car like the Midget is sensitive to tire width and overall proportions. Before replacing tires, confirm that the car still has the proper 13-inch wheels and has not been changed to a different wheel and tire package by a previous owner.
What size rim does a 1973 MG Midget use?
The 1973 MG Midget uses a 13-inch rim with its 145R13 tire fitment. That wheel diameter is the key match point in the tire size, since the final number in 145R13 refers to the rim diameter in inches.
Wheel diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking the actual wheel width and overall condition before mounting new tires. Cars that have been modified, restored with replacement wheels, or converted to a different setup should be measured rather than assumed to remain unchanged.
Does the 1973 MG Midget Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1973 MG Midget Base uses the same 145R13 radial tire size. That keeps sub-model fitment simple for this application and makes the tire decision more about selecting the right product within the correct size than sorting through multiple factory tire sizes.
Even with consistent sub-model sizing, an individual car may still differ if its wheels were changed over the years. A quick check of the actual tire sidewall and wheel diameter helps avoid ordering around assumptions, especially on collector cars that may have seen decades of owner-led maintenance or modification.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 145R13 tire for a 1973 MG Midget?
Start with the correct 145R13 size and radial construction, then compare the available product details within that fitment. For this MG Midget, the main differences come down to brand, tire series, blackwall presentation, stated rim-width range where available, and other specification differences such as weight or load information.
A buyer focused on traditional appearance may prioritize a tire that preserves the car’s narrow vintage profile, while a driver concerned with day-to-day use may look closely at compatibility details and overall condition of the wheels. Matching the tire to how the Midget is actually used is more helpful than chasing a generic one-size-fits-all answer.
What sidewall styles are available for 1973 MG Midget tires?
The available 145R13 tires for the 1973 MG Midget are offered in blackwall form. That gives the car a clean, understated presentation that suits many restoration-minded drivers and owners who want a simple sidewall treatment in the proper narrow radial size.
Sidewall style affects appearance more than fitment, but it still influences the finished look of the car. On a small British sports car, a blackwall tire keeps visual attention on the wheel and body lines, so the decision usually comes down to brand and tire series rather than choosing between multiple sidewall treatments.
What brands offer tires for the 1973 MG Midget?
Michelin and Firestone both offer 145R13 tires for the 1973 MG Midget. The available series include Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial, giving buyers more than one established vintage-size radial option within the correct fitment.
Brand alone should not be the only deciding factor. It helps to compare the tire series itself, blackwall appearance, rim-width specification where stated, and the general goal for the car, whether that is regular fair-weather driving, a restoration-oriented presentation, or maintaining a familiar vintage tire profile.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1973 MG Midget?
A period-style approach starts with the correct 145R13 radial size, because the car’s proportions depend heavily on that narrow vintage format. Within that size, choices such as the Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial keep the selection within a traditional-looking radial fitment rather than moving to a visibly different modern size.
Appearance goals should be balanced with how the car will actually be driven. Owners pursuing exact originality should compare any tire choice against marque literature, restoration references, or club guidance, while those focused on an authentic overall look can often stay on track simply by keeping the proper size and a restrained blackwall presentation.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1973 MG Midget restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1973 MG Midget restoration because tire size has a visible effect on stance, wheel-well proportion, and the overall character of a small sports car. Staying with the proper 145R13 radial keeps the car closer to its intended visual balance than a wider or more modern-looking substitute.
Fitment also affects practicality during a restoration. A tire that changes the look or relationship between wheel and body can undermine an otherwise careful build, so it is worth confirming wheel diameter, wheel width, and the finished appearance before final assembly rather than treating tire choice as an afterthought.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1973 MG Midget?
Yes. Modifications can change how a 145R13 tire works on a 1973 MG Midget, even when the size itself sounds familiar. Wheel swaps, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, altered ride height, or body and fender work can all affect clearance and the overall suitability of the tire setup.
That is why the actual car should be checked before replacement tires are chosen. Measuring wheel diameter and width, then confirming clearance at the fenders and steering components, is especially important on older sports cars that may have passed through multiple owners with different ideas about appearance or handling.
What should I inspect before driving a 1973 MG Midget on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage or corrosion, confirm proper mounting, and check tire pressure carefully. It also helps to look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear, because a fresh set of correctly sized tires cannot compensate for aging components elsewhere in the chassis.
A short test drive should include attention to vibration, pulling, and any sign of rubbing during turns or suspension movement. Collector cars often spend long periods parked, so the first drive after tire replacement is the right time to notice issues such as uneven wheel condition, sticking brakes, or air loss.
How should 145R13 tires on a collector 1973 MG Midget be maintained?
145R13 tires on a collector 1973 MG Midget should be kept at the correct pressure for the tire and checked regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, tread wear, and slow air loss. Storage matters too, since long idle periods can age tires even when the car sees very little mileage.
A dry, shaded environment away from prolonged heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition over time. Periodic inspection is especially important on lightly used vintage cars, because a tire can look serviceable at a glance while still developing age-related problems that become apparent only during closer examination.
