1965 MG Tire Fitment Guide

1965 MG vehicles use seven sizes across four models. The MG 1100 uses 145R12 or 5.50-12 on 12-inch rims, the MG model uses 165R14 or 5.90-14 on 14-inch rims, the MGB uses 165R14 or 560-14 on 14-inch rims, and the Midget uses 145R13 or 520-13 on 13-inch rims. Rim width guidance appears on some products, including 4.5 inches for 145R12, 4.50 to 6.00 or 4.0 to 5.5 inches for 165R14, 3.50 to 4.00 inches for 560-14, 4.00 to 5.00 inches for 145R13, and 3.5 to 4.00 inches for 520-13.

The key takeaway is that 1965 MG fitment is model-specific first and construction-specific second. Once you know which MG you have, you can compare the radial and bias-ply options that belong to that model rather than trying to choose from the whole year-and-make range.

On a 1965 MG, 165R14 is a euro-metric radial size. The 165 is the section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On 1965 MG applications, that size fits 14-inch-wheel MG and MGB models and appears in blackwall form from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein.

That code matters because it places the tire in a different sizing system than older numeric bias-ply sizes such as 5.90-14 or 560-14. If you are replacing one tire on a 1965 MG, match the existing size and construction exactly; if you are redoing the car, decide first whether you want a radial setup or a bias-ply setup before narrowing to brand and sidewall details.

No, 1965 MG models do not share one universal tire size. The 1100 uses 12-inch sizes, the Midget uses 13-inch sizes, and the MG and MGB use 14-inch sizes, with each model also having its own bias-ply companion size where applicable. Only the 165R14 radial is shared, and even that applies only to the MG and MGB rather than the full 1965 MG range.

That means a buyer should identify the exact model before comparing products. A 1965 MG Midget owner and a 1965 MG MGB owner may both be looking for a sports-car tire, but their wheel diameters and compatible sizes are different enough that choosing by year and make alone can point you in the wrong direction.

Many 1965 MG models can be fitted with either a radial size or a bias-ply size within their own model family: 145R12 or 5.50-12 for the 1100, 165R14 or 5.90-14 for the MG, 165R14 or 560-14 for the MGB, and 145R13 or 520-13 for the Midget. Radials bring a later construction type, while bias-ply tires preserve the earlier period style and driving character associated with the era.

The best choice depends on how you use the car. Owners building a restoration or aiming for an original-era look often lean toward the bias-ply size, while owners who drive more regularly often prefer staying within the correct radial fitment for that model. Keep the whole car on one construction type rather than mixing radial and bias-ply tires front to rear.

Sidewall style varies quite a bit across 1965 MG tire sizes. The radial sizes 145R12, 165R14, and 145R13 are available in blackwall form. On the bias-ply side, 560-14 comes in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall, while 520-13 comes in blackwall and narrow whitewall.

For most 1965 MG restorations, blackwall tires are the more traditional visual choice, especially on British sports-car applications. Whitewalls can make sense if the goal is a distinct custom look or a very specific period presentation, but they change the character of the car visually more than the size code alone does.

Several established brands cover 1965 MG fitments. Michelin supplies 145R12 and 145R13 and also appears in 165R14, while Pirelli and Vredestein also offer 165R14 radials. BFGoodrich covers 560-14 bias-ply applications, and Firestone plus Premium Sport cover 520-13 bias-ply fitments.

Brand choice usually follows size first, then construction and sidewall style. A 1965 MG MGB owner looking at 165R14 is comparing Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein within a radial size, while a buyer choosing 560-14 is in a BFGoodrich bias-ply family with multiple sidewall appearances rather than a multi-brand radial comparison.

Rim width guidance depends on the size. 145R12 is paired with a 4.5-inch rim, 165R14 appears with ranges of 4.0 to 5.5 inches and 4.50 to 6.00 inches depending on product, 560-14 uses 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 145R13 uses 4.00 to 5.00 inches, and 520-13 appears with 3.5 inches or 3.50 to 4.00 inches depending on product.

That variation matters because wheel width affects tire profile and how the car feels on the road. Before ordering for a 1965 MG, measure the actual wheel or confirm the wheel specification already on the car, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or converted away from its original wheels at some point in its life.

Inner-tube status is not the same across every 1965 MG tire. The 145R12 Michelin MX is marked TL, and the Michelin 165R14 XAS is also marked TL, showing tubeless construction on those products. Other sizes and brands do not carry the same marking consistently, so tube status varies by product rather than by year and make alone.

The practical step is to check the exact sidewall marking on the tire you intend to use and match that to the wheel type on your 1965 MG. Wire wheels, older rims, or restored wheels may call for more attention here than a simple size comparison would suggest, especially on a collector car that sees occasional use.

A stored 1965 MG should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, furnaces, welders, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber prematurely. Clean, dry floors are preferable, and the car benefits from being moved periodically so the tires do not sit under load in one position for months at a time. Bias-ply tires are generally more prone to temporary flat-spotting during long static storage than radials.

If your 1965 MG rests for extended periods, maintaining proper inflation and rolling the car occasionally helps preserve shape and ride quality. For a longer lay-up, some owners also use stands to reduce constant weight on the tires, but the car should still be supported carefully and with the suspension considerations appropriate to the model.

On a 1965 MG, tire age usually matters more than tread wear because many collector cars accumulate miles slowly. A good working rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach roughly five to seven years of age and to consider replacement as they approach ten years, even if the tread still looks strong. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall is the best reference point for that timeline.

That approach helps avoid relying on appearance alone. A 1965 MG used for weekend drives or shows may look fine from a distance while the rubber has already hardened or the casing has aged beyond what is comfortable for sustained road use, so age tracking should be part of routine ownership.

Tires on a 1965 MG should be checked before every drive and again before any longer outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and loss of air pressure, and pay attention to how long the car has been sitting since its last drive. If the tire setup uses tube-type construction, the condition of the valve stem and the tire’s ability to hold pressure steadily deserve special attention.

Regular inspection is especially important on a light, responsive car such as an MG because small changes in tire condition can be felt quickly through steering and ride. Catching a problem in the garage is far better than discovering it once the car is warm, loaded for a tour, and well away from home.

For a 1965 MG MGB, the original-era expectation would have centered on bias-ply construction, since radial adoption was still a transition-era subject depending on market and owner preference. Within the fitments used on the 1965 MGB, 560-14 represents the traditional bias-ply route, while 165R14 is the radial alternative used on the same model family. A specific original brand should be confirmed through factory literature or marque-club resources if absolute authenticity matters.

That distinction is important because concours-minded restoration is often about matching size, construction type, and sidewall appearance rather than just finding any tire that fits the wheel. If your 1965 MG MGB is being restored for judged events, verify the expectations for your market and build period before settling on a radial replacement simply because it is familiar to modern drivers.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1965 MG because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall style immediately. A blackwall bias-ply presentation may be more appropriate for a stock-appearing car of this era than a modern-looking radial, and an incorrect whitewall treatment can stand out just as much as an incorrect wheel finish or stance.

Show standards are not identical across all events, so the right choice depends on whether your 1965 MG is aimed at concours judging, club touring, or a personalized restoration. If authenticity is the priority, use your chosen tire as part of the car’s overall period presentation and confirm event-specific expectations through MG clubs, judging manuals, or marque specialists.

For a 1965 MG using 165R14, Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic are both blackwall radial options, but they differ in some published details. The Michelin XAS is marked 165HR14 84H TL and carries a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range, while the Vredestein Sprint Classic is also 165HR14 84H, carries a 4.0 to 5.5-inch rim-width range, includes a load figure of 1,102 pounds at 51 psi, and is lighter in weight.

Those differences do not make one universally right for every 1965 MG, but they do matter when matching a tire to the wheel already on the car. If your wheel width is near one end of the acceptable range, or if you are trying to stay close to a specific handling feel, compare the exact product specifications before making the final choice.

1965 MG tires can be suitable for highway driving when the size, construction, age, and condition are all appropriate. Among the radial offerings, some 165R14 and 145R13 products carry H ratings to 130 mph, while one 145R12 product carries an S rating to 112 mph. Those speed ratings exceed normal U.S. highway speeds, but the car’s own brakes, suspension, steering condition, and overall mechanical state remain just as important on a mid-1960s MG.

Bias-ply and radial tires will not feel the same on the road, so safe use also means driving within the manners of the setup you choose. A well-sorted 1965 MG on fresh tires is a very different proposition from an unrestored car on aged rubber, and the longer the trip, the more important that full-vehicle perspective becomes.

Inflation pressure for a 1965 MG should start with the factory recommendation for the specific model and then be cross-checked against the tire manufacturer’s sidewall and load information. Some products carry clear load-and-pressure figures, including 560-14 at 906 pounds at 30 psi, 520-13 at 770 pounds at 32 psi or 1,100 pounds at 60 psi depending on product, 145R13 at 825 pounds at 44 psi, and 165R14 at 1,102 pounds at 51 psi on one Vredestein application.

Those figures are not blanket inflation instructions for every 1965 MG tire in every situation. Use them as product-specific capacity references, then confirm the correct operating pressure for your exact model, size, wheel, and tire construction rather than copying a number from one MG fitment to another.

Before a longer trip in a 1965 MG, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, and correct pressure. Check the valve stems, and if your setup uses tube-type construction or may require tubes, be sure there is no slow loss of air before departure. It is also wise to confirm wheel fasteners, steering response, brake feel, and that the car tracks normally during a short local test drive.

A longer drive puts more heat and sustained load into the tire than a trip to a local show, so small issues become larger ones more quickly. Giving your 1965 MG a careful pre-drive walkaround helps separate a pleasant touring day from a roadside interruption caused by something that was already visible in the garage.