1979 MG Tire Fitment Guide

1979 MG vehicles use two different tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the model. The 1979 MG MGB uses 165R14 radial tires on 14-inch rims, while the 1979 MG Midget uses 145R13 radial tires on 13-inch rims. Rim-width guidance appears on some products within those sizes: 165R14 options include ranges such as 4.0 to 5.5 inches and 4.50 to 6.00 inches, while 145R13 includes a 4.00 to 5.00 inch range on at least one product.

That means a buyer should confirm the model first, then verify the actual wheel diameter on the car before selecting a tire. An MGB and a Midget are both 1979 MG sports cars, but they do not interchange tire sizes, and the difference between a 13-inch and 14-inch fitment matters more here than brand preference or tread style.

On a 1979 MG, 165R14 is a Euro-metric radial size used on the MGB. The 165 refers to a nominal section width of 165 millimeters, the R indicates radial construction, and the 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. In this size, H-rated versions are available, which carry a 130 mph speed ceiling, and blackwall sidewalls are the style offered.

For an MGB owner, that size code is the quickest way to separate the correct fitment from the Midget’s smaller 145R13. It also helps when comparing products, because some 165R14 tires show TL tubeless marking while others do not, and rim-width ranges can differ from one tire to another even within the same nominal size.

On a 1979 MG, 145R13 is a Euro-metric radial size used on the Midget. The 145 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R denotes radial construction, and the 13 identifies a 13-inch wheel diameter. H-rated fitments appear in this size as well, with a 130 mph ceiling where that rating is present, and blackwall is the sidewall style offered.

That code matters because it points to the Midget’s smaller wheel and tire package, which is distinct from the MGB’s 14-inch setup. If your car has been modified over the years, check the tire sidewall and wheel diameter on the car itself before ordering, since many British sports cars have seen wheel swaps during long-term ownership.

1979 MG tires in both correct year-and-model sizes are available in blackwall form. The 165R14 choices for the MGB are blackwall, and the 145R13 choices for the Midget are also blackwall. That appearance fits the late-1970s sporting character of MG well, especially on U.S.-market British roadsters where a clean black sidewall looks more era-appropriate than a wide whitewall treatment would.

For most buyers, the sidewall decision on a 1979 MG is simple because the available fitments stay true to the car’s late-production look. The real comparison is between brands and product lines within the same size, rather than between dramatically different sidewall appearances. If you are restoring for marque judging, blackwall construction is the visual starting point to preserve.

Several established brands cover 1979 MG fitments. In 165R14 for the MGB, choices include Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein. In 145R13 for the Midget, Michelin and Firestone are available. All of those offerings are radial tires, which aligns well with late-1970s sports-car use and gives buyers a range of European-style and classic-market product personalities within the correct sizes.

Brand choice on a 1979 MG usually comes after the model and size are confirmed. An MGB owner compares among three 165R14 brands, while a Midget owner compares within a smaller 145R13 field. That narrower Midget size makes it especially important to decide what matters most to you—heritage brand appeal, speed rating marking, or wheel-width compatibility on your specific car.

For the 1979 MG MGB, Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic are both 165HR14 radial blackwall tires, but their supporting specs are not identical. The Michelin XAS carries a 4.50 to 6.00 inch rim-width range and a weight of 20 pounds, while the Vredestein Sprint Classic carries a 4.0 to 5.5 inch rim-width range, a weight of 16 pounds, and a published maximum load of 1,102 pounds at 51 psi. Both are H-rated tires with a 130 mph ceiling.

That makes the comparison less about basic fitment and more about which tire better suits your wheel and your priorities. If your MGB’s wheel width sits near the narrow end of the range, the Vredestein’s published fitment may be especially relevant. If you are matching a known wheel width on the car, confirm the wheel first and then compare the product specs directly.

Rim-width guidance varies by size and by product on 1979 MG tires. In 165R14 for the 1979 MG MGB, published fitment ranges include 4.0 to 5.5 inches and 4.50 to 6.00 inches. In 145R13 for the 1979 MG Midget, at least one product specifies a 4.00 to 5.00 inch rim-width range. Those ranges should be checked against the actual wheel on the car rather than assumed from year and make alone.

That matters because many surviving MGs have had wheel changes over the years, including aftermarket steel or alloy wheels. A tire can be the correct nominal size for the car yet still be a poor match for the wheel if the rim width falls outside the tire maker’s published range. Measuring the wheel before ordering is time well spent on a classic British sports car.

Inner-tube status on 1979 MG tires varies by product rather than staying uniform across each size. In 165R14, one Michelin XAS version is marked TL for tubeless use, while other products in the same size do not carry that same marking in the size description. In 145R13, the Michelin XAS FF is marked TL, while the Firestone 145R13 does not show the same tube designation in the size marking.

The safest approach is to check the exact sidewall marking on the product you choose and match that with the wheel type on the car. Original wheel condition also matters, especially on older British steel wheels. If there is any doubt about tube use, wheel sealing, or valve compatibility, a marque specialist or experienced vintage-tire installer is worth consulting before mounting.

A 1979 MG should be stored in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can accelerate sidewall cracking. Keep the tires properly inflated, avoid letting the car sit for long periods on a damp surface, and move it periodically so the same section of tread is not loaded for months at a time. Radial tires generally resist temporary flat-spotting better than old-style bias-ply designs, but long static storage is still hard on any collector tire.

If the car will sit through a full season, many owners use tire cradles or stands to reduce stress on the carcass and suspension. A fitted car is usually better off being rolled occasionally than simply ignored. For a lightweight British roadster, storage habits often influence tire aging more than mileage does, because many examples see only limited annual use.

Tires on a 1979 MG usually age out before they wear out, especially on low-mile collector cars. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating them closely once they are about five to seven years old and to treat around ten years as a serious replacement point regardless of remaining tread depth. The DOT date code on the tire sidewall helps establish the true age, which matters more than appearance alone on a hobby car.

That age-based approach is especially important on MGs because they are often driven only on fair-weather weekends. A tire can still look presentable and hold air while losing flexibility and internal integrity over time. If your roadster sees occasional spirited driving, long highway trips, or mountain roads, erring on the side of fresher tires is usually the wiser call.

Tires on a 1979 MG should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough check before any long outing or club tour. Look for cracking in the sidewalls, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and signs of pressure loss. On products where tube use or tubeless marking is part of the setup, valve stems and bead sealing deserve attention too, since slow leaks can develop on older wheels or aging components.

Frequent inspection suits a classic MG because the car’s light use pattern can hide tire aging between drives. A roadster that spends weeks in the garage may develop pressure loss or visible cracking with no warning during storage. Building a pre-drive walkaround into your routine is one of the simplest ways to protect both the car and the experience of driving it.

A 1979 MG MGB would have been a radial-tire car from new, and the correct year-and-model fitment here is 165R14. That late-production MG era had moved well beyond the bias-ply period, so a radial blackwall presentation is the authentic direction for most restorations. Brand choice can vary by market and period, so size, construction, and overall look are more important than assuming a single original-equipment name without car-specific history.

For restoration work, start by matching the car to 165R14 radial blackwalls and then refine the choice according to your car’s delivery market, surviving paperwork, and judging goals. MG marque clubs, period road tests, and original sales literature are the right places to confirm market-specific details. That extra step matters most if the car is headed for concours or highly scrutinized club judging.

Correct tire fitment absolutely matters when showing a 1979 MG, especially in preservation or authenticity-focused classes. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the car wears the proper size for the model, the right radial construction for the period, and a sidewall appearance that suits a late-1970s British sports car. On a 1979 MG, putting the Midget on 145R13 and the MGB on 165R14 is part of getting the basic presentation right.

The closer the event gets to concours standards, the more important those details become. A wrong wheel diameter, an incorrect size for the model, or an obviously out-of-era sidewall style can distract from an otherwise strong restoration. If your car will be judged seriously, review the event’s rules and compare them with guidance from MG clubs before finalizing your tire choice.

For the 1979 MG MGB, Pirelli Cinturato CA67 and Michelin XAS are both 165R14 blackwall radial tires, and both appear in H-rated form with a 130 mph ceiling. The Michelin XAS shows a 4.50 to 6.00 inch rim-width range, a 20-pound weight, and a TL tubeless marking in its size description. The Pirelli Cinturato CA67 also weighs 20 pounds, though its rim-width range and tube marking are not presented in the same way.

That comparison gives a restorer two period-appropriate European-style options in the correct MGB size. The decision often comes down to which tire’s published fitment details match your wheel and which product character best suits the level of originality you want to present. If authenticity is the priority, compare the tire’s visual profile and sidewall details with period photos of similar late MGBs.

Yes, 1979 MG tires in these correct sizes can be suitable for highway driving when they are in good condition, correctly inflated, and matched to sound wheels. H-rated versions are available in both 165R14 and 145R13, and H carries a 130 mph speed ceiling. In normal U.S. highway use, that tire rating is far beyond the speeds a healthy late-1970s MG would typically see, so overall mechanical condition often becomes the more relevant limit.

Safe highway use still depends on the whole car, not just the sidewall code. A 1979 MG should have brakes, suspension bushings, steering, wheel bearings, and alignment checked with the same care as the tires. If the car has sat for a long time, a fresh inspection is a better predictor of safe road manners than the fact that the tires still have tread.

Inflation pressure for 1979 MG tires should begin with the factory recommendation for the specific model and then be checked against the tire maker’s own rated maximum figures. Published load-and-pressure information appears on some products rather than all of them: the 165R14 Vredestein Sprint Classic shows 1,102 pounds at 51 psi, and the 145R13 Firestone shows 825 pounds at 44 psi. Those figures are tire capability references, not blanket instructions to run every product at that exact pressure.

Use the original handbook or marque reference for baseline operating pressure, then confirm the exact product’s specifications before inflating. An MGB and a Midget should not be treated interchangeably, and one product’s marked pressure should never be transferred casually to another size. Pressure tuning on a light British sports car can affect steering feel and wear pattern quite noticeably, so small adjustments should be deliberate.

Before a longer drive in a 1979 MG, inspect each tire for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and proper inflation, and do not forget the spare. Check the valve stems, and if your chosen tire-and-wheel setup involves tube considerations, confirm there are no signs of leakage or heat-related trouble from previous use. Wheel-nut torque, tread depth, and the age of the tires also deserve attention before heading out for a full-day drive.

A longer trip in a late-1970s British roadster should also include a broader mechanical once-over. Coolant level, oil level, charging system condition, hoses, belts, and brake feel are all part of the same pre-drive routine. Tires are only one part of the reliability picture, but on a light sports car they are a very visible early warning system for problems you do not want to discover far from home.