1961 MG Tire Fitment Guide

1961 MG vehicles use six sizes across three model lines: 165R14 and 5.90-14 for the MG application with 14-inch wheels, 155R15 and 560-15 for MG and MGA models with 15-inch wheels, and 145R13 and 520-13 for the Midget with 13-inch wheels. Approved rim-width information appears on some products within those sizes, including 4.0 to 5.5 inches for 165R14, 4.00 to 5.50 inches for several 155R15 products, 4.5 to 5.5 inches for 560-15, 4.00 to 5.00 inches for 145R13, and 3.5 to 4.0 inches for 520-13.

The practical takeaway is that year and make alone are not enough for a 1961 MG tire decision. Start by identifying whether the car is an MG, MGA, or Midget, then confirm whether it carries a 13-, 14-, or 15-inch wheel. Once that is settled, the remaining choice usually becomes construction type and sidewall appearance rather than broad fitment.

On a 1961 MG, 560-15 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.60 figure refers to nominal section width in inches, and the 15 indicates a 15-inch wheel diameter. In this application, 560-15 fits the MG and MGA models rather than the Midget, and it appears in traditional bias-ply construction with period-style sidewall treatments including narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions.

That means 560-15 is best understood as an original-style sports-car fitment, not a modern metric radial. If your 1961 MG or MGA still uses 15-inch wheels and you want the visual stance and construction type associated with the era, this is the size to compare first. Wheel width should still be checked against the specific tire, especially if the car has replacement rims.

No. 1961 MG fitment varies by model. The MGA uses 155R15 or 560-15, the Midget uses 145R13 or 520-13, and the broader MG application spans both 14-inch and 15-inch sizes with 165R14, 5.90-14, 155R15, and 560-15. That creates three distinct wheel-diameter groups across the year and make rather than one universal fitment.

This matters because a buyer who only knows the car is a 1961 MG can easily end up comparing the wrong diameter. The fastest way to narrow the field is to identify the model name and then verify the actual wheel size on the car. After that, you can compare radial and bias-ply options that belong to that specific model family.

For a 1961 MG or MGA on 15-inch wheels, the choice between 155R15 and 560-15 is mainly a choice between radial and bias-ply construction. The 155R15 is a radial blackwall size available from Firestone and Michelin, with T- and H-rated versions depending on the product. The 560-15 is a bias-ply size available from Firestone and US Royal, with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall options that emphasize a traditional vintage appearance.

Owners pursuing a more original early-1960s look often gravitate toward the bias-ply size, while drivers who want a 15-inch tire with more modern radial behavior usually start with 155R15. Neither decision should be made on size code alone, because tube marking and approved rim width can differ from one product to another. Check the wheel width and the sidewall marking on the exact tire before settling on either path.

1961 MG tire choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles, depending on size. The radial sizes 165R14, 155R15, and 145R13 are blackwall fitments, which suit the understated European sports-car look many British cars wore in period. The bias-ply 560-15 appears with both narrow and wide whitewalls, while 520-13 appears in blackwall and narrow whitewall forms.

For an MGA or other larger 15-inch MG application, whitewall width becomes part of the car’s visual character as much as the tire itself. A blackwall generally looks most natural on a British sports car driven in a more competition-inspired style, while a whitewall can lean more toward restored street presentation. If authenticity is important, compare your intended look against period photos and marque-club guidance for your exact model.

1961 MG sizes are covered by Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, Firestone, US Royal, and Premium Sport. The 165R14 radial size is available from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein; 155R15 from Firestone and Michelin; 560-15 from Firestone and US Royal; 145R13 from Michelin and Firestone; and 520-13 from Firestone and Premium Sport. That mix gives the year and make both European-style radial options and traditional American-brand bias-ply choices.

Brand choice usually follows the kind of car you have and the character you want from it. A driver restoring an MGA or MG toward a period European feel may focus on the radial offerings, while a buyer chasing a classic whitewall bias-ply appearance may compare Firestone and US Royal first. Once the correct size is confirmed, sidewall style, tube marking, and speed rating become the next filters.

Rim-width guidance varies by size and by product. For 165R14, published fitments include 4.0 to 5.5 inches and 4.50 to 6.00 inches. For 155R15, several radial products call for 4.00 to 5.50 inches. For 560-15, published widths include 4.5 inches and 4.50 to 5.50 inches. For 145R13, a radial option fits 4.00 to 5.00 inches, and for 520-13, fitments include 3.5 inches and 3.50 to 4.00 inches.

Those ranges are wide enough to cover many original-style wheels, but they are not interchangeable across every size. A 13-inch Midget tire belongs on a much narrower rim than a 15-inch MGA tire, and some bias-ply products are more restrictive than radial alternatives. Measure the wheel you actually have on the car, especially if it may have been changed during restoration or long-term ownership.

Inner-tube use on 1961 MG tires depends on the exact size and product. In 155R15, tube status varies by product, with Michelin examples marked both TT and TL. The 165R14 range also varies, with at least one Michelin example marked TL while others do not carry the same marking. In 145R13, at least one Michelin product is marked TL. Bias-ply sizes such as 560-15 and 520-13 should be checked by their individual sidewall marking and wheel type before installation.

The important point is not to assume that every tire in the same nominal size mounts the same way. Original wheel construction, wheel condition, and the exact sidewall marking all matter. If the car still wears original-style wheels, confirm tube compatibility before mounting, and make sure valve stems, flap needs, and wheel sealing are addressed at the same time.

In many 1961 MG applications, yes, because the paired bias-ply and radial choices for a given model family share the same rim diameter. MG and MGA 15-inch applications can use either 155R15 or 560-15 on 15-inch wheels, and Midget 13-inch applications can use either 145R13 or 520-13 on 13-inch wheels. The same basic principle applies to the 14-inch MG fitment pair of 165R14 and 5.90-14.

Rim diameter compatibility does not automatically settle rim width or tube setup, so that is the next checkpoint. A replacement steel wheel or aftermarket rim may still fall outside the approved range of a specific tire even when the diameter is correct. Confirm the exact wheel width and compare it to the tire manufacturer’s fitment range before mounting a different construction type.

A 1961 MG should be stored away from direct sunlight, ozone-producing equipment such as electric motors or battery chargers, and damp floors that hold moisture around the sidewalls. Keep the tires inflated to a reasonable maintenance pressure, move the car periodically if possible, and avoid leaving the same footprint loaded for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are more prone to temporary flat-spotting in storage, while any vintage-style sidewall can suffer from age-related cracking when exposed to heat and ozone.

For a collector MG that sits through part of the year, storage habits often matter more than mileage. Short monthly movement, clean dry floors, and a breathable cover do more to preserve the tires than occasional driving after long neglect. If the car will be stationary for an extended period, stands or tire cradles can help reduce stress on the casing.

Tire life on a 1961 MG is usually determined more by age than by tread wear, because many collector cars cover limited miles. A sensible rule is to begin close inspection once a tire reaches about five to seven years of age and to treat the ten-year point as a replacement threshold even if the tread still looks good. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the reference point for age, not the restoration date of the car.

That matters especially on cars like MGs that may spend long stretches parked and then return to road use for club events or seasonal driving. A tire can look outwardly usable yet still have hardened rubber or internal age-related deterioration. If you have recently acquired the car and cannot verify the tire age, checking the date code should be one of the first maintenance steps.

Tires on a 1961 MG should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, embedded objects, uneven wear, and any sign that the tire has been running low on pressure. On tube-type installations or wheels using tubes, the valve stem area deserves extra attention because leaks can appear there before a failure is obvious during driving.

A short local drive in a vintage MG can quickly become a high-speed road trip by accident, so routine inspection is cheap insurance. Add a pressure check, glance at tread depth across the full width, and verify that the spare is usable as well. On cars that sit often, inspection should happen even if the tire looked fine the last time the car was parked.

A 1961 MG MGA would have been associated with period-correct bias-ply construction from the factory era, and in this year-make range the traditional 15-inch bias-ply size is 560-15. Radial alternatives such as 155R15 are available today and can suit drivers who want a different road feel, but they represent a later construction approach rather than the default early-1960s norm. Original-equipment brand choice could vary by market and supply, so size and construction matter more than assuming one universal brand.

For a restoration, the first authenticity questions are whether the car should wear a bias-ply or radial and whether a blackwall or whitewall is appropriate for the way the car will be presented. If the MGA is being judged, consult an MG marque club or event rules before finalizing the tire, since show standards can be more specific than general period practice.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1961 MG because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice the size code, construction type, and sidewall treatment immediately. A car restored for originality can lose credibility if it wears a modern radial where a bias-ply would be expected, or if the sidewall style clashes with the period presentation of the model. On an MGA or Midget, the visual proportions of the tire are part of the car’s stance and can affect how authentic the whole restoration feels.

The strictness of that standard depends on the event. A local show may accept tasteful radial substitutions without much concern, while marque judging may be far more exacting about construction and appearance. If trophies matter, verify your target event’s preferences before mounting tires, and keep notes on the size and sidewall style that fit your restoration goals.

For 1961 MG applications in 155R15, Michelin XAS appears as a 155HR15 82H TT tire, while Michelin XAS-FF appears as a 155HR15 82H TL tire. Both are radial blackwall tires on 15-inch rims, and both share the same published 4.00 to 5.50 inch rim-width range. In practical terms, the clearest distinction is tube marking rather than speed class or broad fitment, since both carry an H rating up to 130 mph.

That makes the wheel and installation method the deciding factors. If your MG or MGA still uses wheel hardware or rim condition that points you toward a tube-type setup, the TT-marked XAS becomes the more natural comparison. If the wheel and application suit tubeless use, the XAS-FF may align better. Either way, confirm the actual wheel and mounting plan before choosing between them.

1961 MG tires can be suitable for highway use when the tire’s speed rating, condition, age, and installation all match the way the car will be driven. Among the radial choices, H-rated products are available in 165R14, 155R15, and 145R13, carrying a 130 mph ceiling, and a T-rated 155R15 reaches 118 mph. Bias-ply sizes such as 560-15 and 520-13 are better treated as traditional vintage constructions whose road behavior reflects the era even when their overall condition is excellent.

In real-world use, a healthy 1961 MG is usually limited more by braking, suspension, weather, and overall vehicle condition than by the headline speed ceiling on a radial reproduction tire. Highway safety starts with fresh rubber, correct inflation, and a tire that matches the wheel and intended use. For occasional touring, the full condition of the car matters as much as the tire itself.

Inflation pressure on a 1961 MG should be set by the vehicle recommendation first and then checked against the tire’s own maximum load-and-pressure information where published. Several examples show 155R15 radial products carrying 1045 pounds at 44 psi, 560-15 bias-ply products carrying 970 pounds at 32 psi, 145R13 carrying 825 pounds at 44 psi, 520-13 carrying either 770 pounds at 32 psi or 1100 pounds at 60 psi depending on the product, and 165R14 carrying 1102 pounds at 51 psi on one Vredestein example.

Those figures are maximum load-and-pressure pairings, not universal running pressures for every 1961 MG. The correct street pressure depends on the model, tire size, and the way the car is loaded. Use the owner’s manual or marque reference for the factory target, then make sure the chosen tire’s sidewall and published limits support that setting without assuming one size’s pressure applies to another.

Before a longer drive in a 1961 MG, inspect each tire for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular wear, and signs of impact damage from curbs or potholes. Verify cold pressure, confirm the valve stems are sound, and if the car uses tube-type tires or tubes inside the tires, pay close attention to any slow leak history. The spare should also be checked for pressure, age, and basic serviceability, because many vintage spares have sat untouched for years.

A longer drive puts more continuous heat into the tires than a short local outing, so small issues show up quickly. It is also wise to include the tires in a broader pre-trip inspection that covers wheel fasteners, brakes, steering, and fluid levels. On an older British sports car, a careful pre-drive routine often does more for confidence and reliability than any single component upgrade.