The 1977 MG Midget represents the final years of a long-running British roadster formula built around light weight, simple mechanicals, and direct driver involvement. Buyers looking after one today are usually balancing nimble street manners, compact proportions, and an appearance that still suits a small-displacement sports car from the 1970s. This exact model uses a 145R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim, so the fitment question is straightforward. The real choice comes down to selecting among available blackwall radial options from Michelin and Firestone, along with the tire series characteristics that best match your goals. For restoration-minded use or regular road driving, keeping the size correct is the starting point.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1977 MG Midget
The 1977 MG Midget uses one primary tire size: 145R13, a radial fitment for a 13-inch rim. The Base sub-model shares that same size, so the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 145R13 tire best suits the car's intended use, overall look, and wheel setup.
145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 145 indicates 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 compact proportions of a 1977 MG Midget. Available choices in this size include blackwall radials from Michelin and Firestone, with the Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial offering two distinct period-style interpretations. This size is the right place to focus if the goal is proper overall fitment character without moving away from the car's original sizing format.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1977 MG Midget. The covered Base model uses the same 145R13 radial tire size, so the important decision is choosing the right tire within that fitment rather than sorting through multiple size combinations.
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1977 MG Midget Base
The 1977 MG Midget Base uses the 145R13 radial tire size on a 13-inch rim. That keeps selection centered on tire series, brand, and wheel compatibility rather than on choosing between different primary fitments.
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 1977 MG Midget Tires for Sale
Available 145R13 options for the 1977 MG Midget include blackwall radial tires from Michelin and Firestone. The product grid is where to compare the Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial by tire series, construction details, weight, and rim-width compatibility where stated.
Common questions for the 1977 MG Midget usually center on the 145R13 tire size, 13-inch rim fitment, choosing between available radial tire series, and the checks worth making before putting a lightly used classic roadster back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1977 MG Midget?
The 1977 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial tire. That is the primary fitment for this model, and the covered Base sub-model uses the same size, which keeps the basic sizing question simple compared with vehicles that vary by trim or wheel package.
The important next step is confirming that the car still has the correct 13-inch wheels and that no previous owner changed wheel width or overall setup. Once the wheel size is verified, the decision shifts to choosing the right 145R13 tire based on brand, tire series, and how closely the tire's appearance and driving character align with your plans for the car.
What size rim does a 1977 MG Midget use?
The 1977 MG Midget uses a 13-inch rim with its 145R13 tire size. That 13-inch diameter is a key fitment point because the tire size and wheel diameter must match before any brand or series choice becomes relevant.
Wheel diameter should be checked on the actual car, especially if it has seen years of owner changes, aftermarket wheels, or restoration work. Rim width also matters when comparing tires, since one available 145R13 option includes a stated 4.00 to 5.00 inch rim-width range, making it worth confirming the wheels before selecting a tire for regular road use.
What does 145R13 mean on a 1977 MG Midget?
145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size. The 145 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. In this older metric format, the aspect ratio is not written into the size code.
For a MG Midget owner, that means the tire follows a traditional small-car radial sizing convention rather than a modern low-profile performance format. Understanding the code helps when comparing products, because two 145R13 tires may share the same fitment size yet differ in tire series, construction details, rim-width suitability, weight, and overall period-style presentation.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 145R13 tire for a 1977 MG Midget?
Start with the correct size and construction: the 1977 MG Midget uses a 145R13 radial tire on a 13-inch rim. From there, compare the available tire series, brand, sidewall style, and any stated wheel-compatibility details that may affect how well a given tire suits your car.
Appearance and intended use both matter on a small British roadster. A buyer keeping a restoration-oriented look may focus on a traditional blackwall presentation, while someone planning regular street use may look more closely at series characteristics, stated rim-width range, weight, and the overall condition of the wheels before choosing among the available 145R13 options.
What brands offer tires for the 1977 MG Midget?
The 1977 MG Midget has available 145R13 tire options from Michelin and Firestone. In this fitment, those brands represent two different radial tire series, giving buyers a meaningful choice without changing the car's primary tire size or departing from a blackwall presentation.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the specific tire series and the condition of the car's wheels, not as a shortcut by itself. Comparing the Michelin XAS-FF and Firestone F560 Radial within the correct size gives a clearer picture of what best fits your goals, whether that means a more restoration-minded selection or a straightforward road-use replacement.
How do I choose between the available 145R13 tires for a 1977 MG Midget?
Both available choices stay within the correct 145R13 radial fitment, so the decision comes down to the details within that size. Compare the tire series, brand, stated rim-width compatibility where available, weight figures, and the overall look each tire brings to a compact 1970s British sports car.
It also helps to be honest about how the Midget will be used. A car aimed at weekend road driving, local shows, or a more restoration-oriented presentation may lead you toward one series, while a car with non-original wheels or a changed setup makes wheel measurement and clearance confirmation even more important before settling on a specific 145R13 product.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1977 MG Midget?
A period-style approach starts with staying in the correct 145R13 radial size. That preserves the MG Midget's intended tire format and compact proportions, which matter more to the car's visual balance than jumping to a different diameter or a modernized profile that changes how the car sits.
From there, compare the available radial tire series for the kind of presentation you want rather than assuming one is automatically historically exact. Buyers pursuing close restoration work should use period photos, marque references, or build-specific documentation to confirm finer originality points, while keeping the correct size as the foundation for the car's stance and appearance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1977 MG Midget?
On a 1977 MG Midget, construction is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial and more about selecting the right style within its radial fitment. Since this car uses a 145R13 radial size, staying with that construction keeps the tire choice aligned with the vehicle's late-production character.
Visual differences still show up through the specific tire series and sidewall treatment, even when the size stays the same. In this fitment, the available options are blackwall radials, so the appearance decision centers on the character of the tire itself and on preserving a proper small-roadster look through correct sizing and wheel compatibility.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1977 MG Midget?
Yes. Even though the standard fitment is a 145R13 radial on a 13-inch rim, wheel and suspension changes can alter what works on the car in practice. Aftermarket wheels, different rim widths, ride-height changes, or body modifications can all affect clearance and how a tire sits in the wheel opening.
That matters because a correct tire size on paper still needs the right wheel and enough room through steering and suspension travel. A modified MG Midget should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the front and rear before new tires are chosen, especially if the car no longer sits or steers the way it did originally.
What should I inspect before driving a 1977 MG Midget on new tires?
Begin with the basics: verify wheel diameter, inspect the rims for damage or corrosion, and make sure the tires are properly mounted and inflated. A small roadster like the 1977 MG Midget also benefits from a close look at steering components, suspension wear, and any signs that previous tire fitment caused rubbing or uneven wear.
A brief check drive should follow only after the car is mechanically ready for the road. Pay attention to air retention, vibration, pull, and clearance at full steering lock, and recheck the tires after the first miles. On a collector car that may sit often, that early inspection helps catch issues before they become part of regular use.
How should 145R13 tires on a collector 1977 MG Midget be maintained?
145R13 tires on a collector MG Midget should be checked regularly for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of long-term aging. Even if the car sees limited mileage, time and storage conditions still matter, especially on a lightweight classic that may spend long stretches parked.
Good maintenance also includes storing the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources, and moving it occasionally so the tires are not left under load in one position for extended periods. A quick visual check before each drive and a more thorough inspection at regular intervals help keep the tire condition aligned with safe road use.
