1959 MG Tire Fitment Guide

1959 MG vehicles use two tire sizes: 155R15 and 560-15. Both sizes apply to both listed 1959 MG model cores, MG and MGA, and both mount on 15-inch rims. For 155R15, listed rim-width guidance appears at 4.00 to 5.50 inches on several radial products. For 560-15, listed rim-width guidance runs from 4.5 inches to 4.50-5.50 inches depending on the product.

That means the first fitment question is not which 1959 MG model you have, but which construction and size style you want to run. A radial 155R15 gives you one path, while a numeric 560-15 bias-ply gives you another. Before choosing either, confirm the wheel diameter is 15 inches and compare your actual wheel width to the range shown for the specific tire you plan to use.

On a 1959 MG tire, 560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 560 designation refers to the tire's nominal section-width class in the older numeric system, and the 15 indicates that the tire fits a 15-inch wheel. It is not a modern metric code, and it does not read the same way as a radial size such as 155R15.

That older numeric format is part of why 560-15 is often chosen for authenticity-minded restorations. It preserves the period-correct look and construction style associated with late-1950s sports cars. If your goal is a vintage presentation, this size makes sense to investigate first; if your goal is a more modern radial feel on the road, compare it directly with the 155R15 options instead of assuming the two formats are interchangeable in character.

On a 1959 MG tire, 155R15 is a radial size with a nominal section width of 155 millimeters and a 15-inch rim diameter. The R identifies radial construction. In this style of metric sizing, when no aspect ratio is printed, it is conventionally treated as an 80-series radial. Several 1959 MG radial products in this size also carry speed and tube markings, including 82T TL and 82H TT or TL.

That makes 155R15 easier for many modern buyers to interpret than an older numeric bias-ply size. It is still important, however, to read the full sidewall marking on the exact tire you choose, because one 155R15 radial may be tubeless-marked while another may be tube-type, and speed ratings within the size are not all the same.

Yes. The listed 1959 MG model cores here, MG and MGA, both use the same two tire sizes: 155R15 and 560-15. There is no model-only size split in this year-and-make grouping, and both sizes share a 15-inch rim diameter.

That simplifies the shopping process because identifying the model does not narrow you to a single size. Instead, the meaningful difference is whether you want a radial in 155R15 or a bias-ply in 560-15. Owners comparing appearance, originality, and road feel can focus on those factors first, then verify wheel width and the exact product marking before making a final choice.

For a 1959 MG, the 155R15 is the radial option and the 560-15 is the bias-ply option. Both fit 15-inch wheels and both are used across the MG and MGA model range. The practical difference is construction style: the bias-ply 560-15 aligns with a more period-correct presentation, while the 155R15 radial gives you a later-style tire design in the same general fitment family.

Owners restoring a car for vintage appearance often start with 560-15, especially when sidewall style is part of the overall look. Owners planning more frequent road use often compare the available 155R15 radials first. Neither choice should be made by size code alone, though, because rim-width compatibility, tube marking, and speed rating can change from one product to another within the same size family.

1959 MG tires are available with different sidewall presentations depending on size. The 155R15 radial choices are offered as blackwalls, while the 560-15 bias-ply choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. Firestone and Michelin cover the radial blackwall group, and Firestone and US Royal cover the bias-ply whitewall group.

For many late-1950s British sports-car restorations, blackwall tires usually look the most natural, especially when the goal is a restrained factory-style appearance. Whitewalls can still appeal to owners building around a certain period look or personal preference, but they create a more stylized presentation. If show authenticity matters, check event standards and period references for your exact car before choosing a whitewall width.

Several brands cover 1959 MG fitments. In 155R15 radial form, the available brands are Firestone and Michelin. In 560-15 bias-ply form, the available brands are Firestone and US Royal. That gives you brand choice in both the radial and bias-ply paths rather than limiting you to one maker for the year.

Brand selection matters most after you decide on size and construction. Within the radial group, Michelin choices also introduce different speed ratings and tube markings, while Firestone provides a simpler blackwall radial option. Within the bias-ply group, Firestone and US Royal both offer whitewall variations, so appearance and the wheel-width range listed for the exact tire can be as important as the brand name itself.

For 1959 MG tires, listed rim-width guidance depends on the size and product. In 155R15 radial form, several products specify a 4.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range. In 560-15 bias-ply form, some products specify a 4.5 inch wheel, while others list a 4.50 to 5.50 inch range. All of the listed tires use a 15-inch rim diameter.

That means you should match the tire to the actual wheel on the car rather than assuming every 15-inch MG wheel is the same width. Original wheels, replacement wheels, and restored wheels can differ. Checking the wheel before ordering is especially important if you are moving between radial and bias-ply constructions, because the acceptable width range shown by the manufacturer should guide the final selection.

Inner-tube status on 1959 MG tires depends on the specific product you choose. Within the 155R15 radial group, some tires are marked TL for tubeless and at least one is marked TT for tube type, so tube status varies by product. The 560-15 bias-ply entries here are not marked with TT or TL in the size field, so the best practice is to verify the exact tire and wheel combination before installation.

That product-by-product variation matters because tube use is tied to both the tire and the wheel condition. A tube-type radial should be treated differently from a tubeless-marked radial, and an older wheel's design or surface condition may influence the final setup. If you are keeping original wheels on a 1959 MG, confirm the sidewall marking and installation approach before committing to a tire.

A 1959 MG's listed tire sizes, 155R15 and 560-15, both fit 15-inch rims, so they share wheel diameter compatibility. Rim width still matters, though. The radial 155R15 products commonly show a 4.00 to 5.50 inch range, while 560-15 bias-ply products appear with either a fixed 4.5 inch recommendation or a 4.50 to 5.50 inch range depending on brand and style.

That means the original wheels may work with both size families if their actual width falls within the requirements of the specific tire chosen. Diameter alone is not enough to confirm suitability. Measure or verify the wheel width before mounting a new set, especially if you are changing from one construction type to the other after years of running the same style.

A 1959 MG should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment. Keep the tires properly inflated, roll the car periodically if possible, and avoid leaving it parked for long stretches on wet concrete or in standing moisture. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more readily during static storage, while any older-style collector tire can suffer sidewall aging if exposed to ozone and heat.

For longer layups, many owners use tire cradles or take some load off the suspension with stands placed correctly under the chassis, while still supporting the car safely. A car stored this way usually comes back into service with fewer vibration surprises and less cosmetic sidewall deterioration. Storage habits matter as much as mileage on a lightly used collector MG.

Tire life on a 1959 MG is usually judged more by age than mileage. Collector-car tires should be evaluated closely once they reach about five to seven years of age, and around ten years is a common point for serious replacement consideration even if tread remains. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the best starting point for determining age, along with the tire's actual condition in service.

A low-mileage MG can still age out its tires long before it wears them out. Cracking, hardening, loss of air retention, and changes in ride quality are often more relevant than tread depth on a lightly driven sports car. If the car is new to you, checking the date codes should be one of the first tire-related steps before planning any regular road use.

Tires on a 1959 MG should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer trip. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs that the tire is losing pressure between drives. If your chosen setup uses tubes, pay extra attention to valve stems and any recurring slow-loss condition that could point to a tube or rim issue.

Frequent inspection matters because collector cars often sit longer between uses than modern daily drivers. A problem that develops quietly in storage can show up the moment the car is asked to run at road speed. A two-minute walk-around with a pressure check is one of the simplest ways to protect both the tires and the rest of the car before heading out.

A 1959 MG MGA would have been associated in period with bias-ply construction rather than a modern-style radial as standard practice for the era. In the current fitment range, that points restoration-minded owners first toward the 560-15 size, which uses the older numeric bias-ply format and mounts on a 15-inch wheel. No single original-equipment brand should be assumed without checking period literature for the specific market and car.

That makes 560-15 the logical starting point for an owner pursuing factory-era presentation, while 155R15 serves as an alternate path for those prioritizing a different driving character. If your MGA is being judged, confirm market-specific details with a marque club, factory handbook, or trusted MG specialist, because authenticity standards often consider size, construction, and sidewall style together rather than one item in isolation.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1959 MG, especially at events that emphasize originality. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice whether the car wears the right general size family, the expected construction type for the era, and a sidewall style that looks appropriate to the car's period and market character. A modern radial or an eye-catching whitewall can change the visual impression significantly.

That does not mean every show car must wear the same tire, but it does mean your choice should match your restoration goal. A touring-oriented owner may accept a visual compromise, while a concours-minded owner usually narrows the field much more carefully. Before a serious judged event, compare your tire choice with club guidance and period photos rather than relying only on what physically mounts to the wheel.

For the 1959 MG, both Michelin XAS and Michelin XAS-FF appear in 155HR15 form with an 82H speed rating and a 15-inch rim diameter. Both also list a 4.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range and blackwall styling. The practical difference shown here is tube marking: Michelin XAS is listed as TT, while Michelin XAS-FF is listed as TL.

That distinction can matter as much as the model name when you are finalizing a wheel-and-tire package. If your wheels and restoration plan favor a tube-type installation, the XAS points one way; if you are comparing against a tubeless-marked radial option, the XAS-FF stands apart. Confirm the wheel condition and intended setup before choosing between them, because the two are close in size and rating but not identical in installation approach.

1959 MG tires can be suitable for highway driving when they are the correct size, properly mounted, in sound condition, and used within their stated ratings. In the 155R15 radial group, listed speed ratings include T at 118 mph and H at 130 mph on certain Michelin products. The 560-15 bias-ply entries here do not show separate speed-letter markings, so they should be treated with the respect normally given to vintage-style bias-ply tires on an older sports car.

On a 1959 MG, the broader limitation on a long highway run is often the car itself rather than the tire alone. Brakes, suspension condition, steering components, alignment, and the age of the spare all matter on a small 1950s roadster. A fresh, correctly selected tire helps, but safety comes from the entire package working together rather than from one specification on the sidewall.

Inflation pressure for 1959 MG tires should be set with two references in mind: the vehicle's original pressure guidance and the tire maker's rated limits for the exact tire you are using. Among the listed products, the Firestone 155R15 radial shows 1045 pounds at 44 psi, while several 560-15 bias-ply products show 970 pounds at 32 psi. Those figures are tire ratings, not blanket instructions to inflate every 1959 MG tire to the same pressure.

Use the car's handbook or marque reference for the starting pressure appropriate to the vehicle, then confirm that your chosen tire supports that use safely within its own rated range. Do not transfer a pressure from a radial to a bias-ply, or from one size to another, simply because both fit 15-inch wheels. Pressure choice should follow the exact tire and the exact vehicle application together.

Before a longer drive in a 1959 MG, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, uneven wear, and correct cold pressure. Check that the valve stems are sound, and if your setup uses tubes, pay special attention to any history of slow leaks or recent pressure loss. The spare should also be examined, because a long-stored spare can age out just like the four tires on the ground.

A longer trip is also the right time to think beyond the tires. Wheel fastener security, brake operation, steering play, coolant condition, and charging-system health all matter on a vintage MG. Tire condition is only one part of road readiness, but it is the easiest place to start and one of the most important checks for a light, responsive sports car that may spend much of its life parked between outings.