1967 MG Tire Fitment Guide

1967 MG vehicles use seven sizes across four model lines. 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: 145R12 uses a 4.5-inch rim, 165R14 spans 4.0 to 6.0 inches depending on product, 560-14 uses 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 145R13 spans 4.00 to 5.00 inches, and 520-13 spans 3.5 to 4.00 inches where marked.

The practical takeaway is that 1967 MG fitment starts with the exact model, not just the year and make. Once the model is confirmed, the next step is deciding whether you want the bias-ply size that better reflects period presentation or the radial size that keeps the car in the same wheel diameter family with a more modern tire construction.

On a 1967 MG, 5.50-12 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 5.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches, and the 12 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. That format belongs to the older bias-ply sizing system used widely before metric radial sizing became common, and in the 1967 MG range it applies to the MG 1100.

That matters because a 5.50-12 is not just another way to write a modern metric radial size. It points to a different construction style and a different visual and driving character. If your 1967 MG 1100 still wears 12-inch wheels and you are aiming for a more period-correct setup, this is the size family to compare against the radial 145R12 alternative.

No, 1967 MG models do not all use the same tire size. The 1100 uses 12-inch fitments, the MG and MGB use 14-inch fitments, and the Midget uses 13-inch fitments. Even within the same wheel diameter, the exact size can differ by model, such as 5.90-14 for the MG model versus 560-14 for the MGB, while both can also use 165R14 as a radial option.

That variation means a buyer should identify the car by model before narrowing down brands or sidewall style. A 1967 MG owner who assumes every car in the range shares one interchangeable tire size can easily end up shopping in the wrong wheel diameter, so model confirmation should come before any product comparison.

For a 1967 MG, that choice depends on the model and on how you want the car to present and drive. Each model family pairs a bias-ply option with a radial alternative in the same basic wheel-diameter family: 5.50-12 or 145R12 for the 1100, 5.90-14 or 165R14 for the MG model, 560-14 or 165R14 for the MGB, and 520-13 or 145R13 for the Midget. Bias-ply construction better reflects the period look and feel, while radial construction brings a more contemporary tire design.

The best way to decide is to start with the car's purpose. A show-focused restoration usually leans toward the bias-ply size that suits the era, while a driver that sees more road miles often benefits from staying within the correct model fitment while choosing the radial counterpart. Keep that decision separate from wheel diameter, since the model still determines which size family applies.

Sidewall style depends heavily on the size you need for a 1967 MG. The radial sizes 145R12, 165R14, and 145R13 are offered in Blackwall form, while the bias-ply 560-14 for the MGB comes in Blackwall, Narrow Whitewall, and Wide Whitewall versions. The 520-13 size used on the Midget appears in both Blackwall and Narrow Whitewall form.

For most British sports cars of the mid-1960s, Blackwall is usually the most natural visual choice, especially on MGBs and Midgets restored to a factory-style appearance. Whitewall options can still make sense when an owner wants a particular custom look or is matching an established restoration theme, but they should be chosen deliberately rather than assumed to be the default for every 1967 MG.

1967 MG tires are available from Michelin, Pirelli, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Premium Sport, depending on size. Michelin covers 145R12 and also appears in 165R14 and 145R13, while Pirelli and Vredestein appear in 165R14. BFGoodrich covers 560-14, Firestone appears in 145R13 and 520-13, and Premium Sport appears in 520-13.

Brand choice is easiest once the model and size are settled, because the overlap is not the same across the range. An MGB owner looking at 165R14 radial choices can compare three brands in one size family, while a bias-ply 560-14 buyer is focused on BFGoodrich sidewall variations instead. Treat the brand decision as the final step after confirming the correct fitment path for your 1967 MG.

Rim width varies by size on 1967 MG vehicles. The 145R12 uses a 4.5-inch rim, 165R14 products span from 4.0 to 6.0 inches depending on brand, 560-14 fits 3.50 to 4.00 inches, 145R13 fits 4.00 to 5.00 inches, and 520-13 appears with 3.5-inch and 3.50 to 4.00-inch fitments. Those ranges are tied to the individual tire sizes rather than to the MG name as a whole.

That is why wheel measurement matters before ordering, especially on a car that may have changed hands or been modified over the years. If your 1967 MG still has original-style wheels, the correct size family usually narrows quickly by model, but the actual wheel should still be checked so the tire's approved rim-width range lines up with what is on the car.

Tube use varies by size and product on 1967 MG tires. The 145R12 Michelin MX and the 145R13 Michelin XAS FF are marked TL for tubeless use, while the 165R14 radial family varies by product because some carry a tubeless marking and others do not show it in the same way. The bias-ply sizes here are best treated carefully by checking the exact tire's sidewall marking and the wheel type before assuming tube or tubeless fitment.

The key point is that a tire and a wheel work as a system. A tubeless-marked tire does not automatically make every original wheel tubeless-ready, especially on older British cars, and a restorer may still choose tubes for wheel-condition reasons. Confirm the sidewall marking on the tire you choose and match that with the actual wheel condition and construction before final installation.

In many cases, yes, because each 1967 MG model's paired tire choices stay within the same wheel diameter. The 1100's options are both 12-inch sizes, the MG model's options are both 14-inch sizes, the MGB's options are both 14-inch sizes, and the Midget's options are both 13-inch sizes. That means the original wheel diameter remains the starting point when comparing the bias-ply and radial alternatives for one model.

The remaining step is to confirm the wheel width, since diameter compatibility alone does not guarantee every tire is appropriate for every wheel. This is especially important when comparing a metric radial to a narrower old-style bias-ply size. If the car has aftermarket wheels or a mixed set of rims, measure first and compare against the tire's approved width range before mounting.

A 1967 MG should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, welders, and other ozone sources that accelerate rubber aging. Keep the tires properly inflated, move the car periodically if possible, and avoid letting one contact patch carry the full load in one spot for months at a time. Bias-ply tires tend to flat-spot more noticeably during long storage, while both bias-ply and radial sidewalls can suffer from age cracking if the environment is poor.

For a collector MG that sits through part of the year, simple habits make a real difference. Clean the tires before storage, park on a dry surface, and consider stands or tire cradles if the car will be stationary for a long season. Those steps help preserve appearance, reduce temporary flat-spotting, and make the first drive of the season less stressful on older suspension and steering components.

On a 1967 MG, tire life should be judged more by age and condition than by mileage alone, because many collector cars are driven infrequently. A good rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach five to seven years of age and to treat roughly ten years as a point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if tread depth still looks acceptable. The DOT date code remains the quickest way to confirm age on a modern reproduction tire.

That approach is especially important on lightly used sports cars and small sedans that may seem fine at a glance but spend long periods parked. Sidewall cracking, hardening rubber, and internal age-related deterioration can appear long before the tread is worn out. If your 1967 MG still rides on older tires, age should carry at least as much weight in the decision as appearance.

Tires on a 1967 MG should be inspected before every drive and again before any longer outing or touring event. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, uneven wear, cuts, bulges, and signs that the tire is not holding pressure correctly. If the car uses tube-type fitments or tubes inside the tires, include the valve stems and any signs of stem cracking or movement in the inspection.

Short local drives can hide developing problems that become much more serious at sustained speed or after heat builds in the casing. A quick walkaround before each trip is one of the easiest ways to avoid being stranded by an otherwise preventable tire issue. On an older MG, that inspection should be part of the same routine that checks fluid leaks, wheel security, and brake feel.

For a 1967 MG MGB, bias-ply construction is the most era-correct starting point because radials had not yet completely displaced bias-ply tires across the sports-car market in the mid-1960s. Within the fitments used on the MGB here, 560-14 is the bias-ply size and 165R14 is the radial alternative. Original-equipment branding could vary by market and period, so size and construction are usually the first authenticity questions to settle.

If the goal is a factory-style restoration, begin by confirming whether your particular car is being judged to home-market, export-market, or owner-delivery expectations, since details can differ. A marque club, period road test, or factory literature is the right place to confirm market-specific details, but the broad authenticity principle remains the same: a bias-ply 14-inch tire is the more period-faithful path for a 1967 MGB.

Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 1967 MG because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice size, construction, and sidewall treatment quickly. A radial replacing an era-correct bias-ply fitment, a whitewall on a car that would more naturally wear Blackwalls, or an obviously incorrect wheel diameter can all change how authentic the car appears. The importance of those details rises with the seriousness of the event and the originality standard being used.

For local touring events, some owners accept a less original tire if it better suits how they drive the car. For concours-style presentation, however, even the difference between a Blackwall and a decorative whitewall can matter. Before finalizing a show setup for a 1967 MG, compare the tire choice with period photos and consult the relevant marque club so the car matches the standard it will be judged against.

For the 1967 MG MGB, the BFGoodrich 560-14 choices share the same bias-ply construction, the same 14-inch rim diameter, the same 3.50 to 4.00-inch approved rim-width range, and the same 906-pound load rating at 30 psi where marked. The real difference is sidewall presentation: one is plain Blackwall, one uses a Narrow Whitewall, and one uses a Wide Whitewall. Weight varies slightly, with the Blackwall at 17 pounds and the whitewall versions at 18 pounds.

That makes the choice primarily visual rather than structural. An owner restoring a factory-style British sports car will often prefer the Blackwall look, while a whitewall version suits a more personalized appearance or a restoration theme that intentionally departs from strict stock presentation. Since the fitment specs stay aligned, the decision comes down to how you want the MGB to look once mounted on the car.

A properly sized, correctly mounted, and well-maintained tire for a 1967 MG can be suitable for highway use, but the answer depends on the exact tire chosen and the condition of the car itself. The radial sizes here include S-rated and H-rated examples, with S carrying a 112 mph ceiling and H carrying a 130 mph ceiling. Those limits are well above ordinary highway speeds, yet a 1967 MG's braking, suspension, alignment, and steering condition often matter just as much as the tire once road speed increases.

Bias-ply tires can also be used on the road, but they deliver a different feel and should be approached with period-appropriate expectations. Any collector MG headed onto faster roads should have fresh pressures, sound sidewalls, and a chassis that tracks straight and responds predictably. Tire capability is only one part of safe highway use on a car from this era.

Inflation pressure on 1967 MG tires should be matched to the exact tire size and the manufacturer's pressure limits, not borrowed from another size in the range. Some products here include load-and-pressure pairings such as 906 pounds at 30 psi for 560-14, 825 pounds at 44 psi for one 145R13 radial, 770 pounds at 32 psi for one 520-13 tire, and 1,100 pounds at 60 psi for another 520-13 application. Those figures describe the tire's rated capacity at that pressure, not necessarily the pressure your MG should be run at day to day.

For actual operating pressure, start with the original owner's manual or period service literature for your exact 1967 MG model, then compare that guidance with the tire manufacturer's recommendations for the reproduction or radial product you have chosen. The right pressure can change with size and construction, so it should never be transferred casually from a Midget to an MGB or from a bias-ply to a radial.

Before a longer drive in a 1967 MG, inspect each tire for cracks, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign of separation or impact damage. Confirm pressures when the tires are cold, check valve stems carefully, and include the spare in the inspection because many vintage cars still carry an old emergency tire that has aged out. If the car uses tube-type fitments, stem condition and any slow pressure loss deserve extra attention.

A longer trip also calls for a broader age-appropriate mechanical check. Wheel fasteners, brakes, steering free play, fluid levels, and cooling condition all matter on a classic MG that may cruise comfortably at modern road speeds but was engineered in a different era. Tire inspection should be the first part of the routine, not the last, because it affects every mile of the drive.