Tyre choice is one of the most consequential decisions any classic-MG owner makes, no matter how good the brakes are, it is the tyre that stops the car, and no matter how good the suspension, alignment and steering, it is the quality of the tyre that determines the predictability of any MG's handling. The Tyres section gathers the radial, crossply and specialist patterns appropriate for the classic-MG range. MGOC's technical sales team can advise on the right combination of sizing, compound, speed rating and suitability for any application, fitted and balanced on any wheel offered in the wider MGOC range.
Radial Tyres for Everyday Use
Radial tyres are the modern standard for any classic-MG application where the priority is ride, handling and grip in everyday driving. The radial construction (radial-ply tyre carcass with stabilising belts under the tread) produces a more compliant ride, better wet-weather grip, more progressive handling at the limit and longer service life than the crossply tyres the cars left the factory on. The downside is appearance, a radial tyre has a slightly squared-off shoulder profile that differs from the period crossply look, and to a concours-judging eye the difference is visible.
For owners running cars on a daily-driver basis, the practical benefits of radial fitment substantially outweigh the appearance considerations. Sizes are matched to the application, typically 165SR14 or 175/70SR14 for the MGB, 145SR13 or 155SR13 for the Midget, and the appropriate larger sizes for the MGC, MGB GT V8 and modified cars. The technical team is available to advise on the right size for any specific car and wheel combination.
Crossply Tyres for Concours Work
Period-style crossply tyres are stocked for owners restoring cars to concours specification where the original tyre type is part of the judging criteria. The crossply construction (overlapping diagonal-ply layers in the carcass) produces the rounded shoulder profile and the slightly higher side-wall stiffness that the cars left the factory with. The driving characteristics are noticeably different from a radial, the steering is heavier at low speed, the ride is firmer over sharp inputs, and the wet-weather grip is meaningfully less than a modern radial. For concours cars used principally for show display and slow driving between events, the period-correct crossply is the right specification.
For cars used on the road in earnest, the radial is the practical answer.
Performance Radials and Specialist Patterns
High-performance radial tyres cover the modified and competition end of the range, typically 60-series or 50-series profile tyres on alloy wheels of larger diameter, designed for the higher cornering loads and brake-temperature exposure that a modified classic sees. Patterns suitable for hillclimb, sprint and historic-rally applications are stocked in the appropriate sizes. The downsides of these high-performance radials are a more compliant ride compromise, shorter tread life, and more aggressive wet-weather behaviour at the limit, they are not the right answer for an everyday classic but they are appropriate for cars used in earnest competition work. For any tyre selection, the right starting point is the application, concours, daily-driver, weekend touring, or competition, and from there the appropriate specification follows.