Wire wheels are the defining visual feature of the classic British sports car, and on the TF they were standard equipment from the factory. The TD was supplied with steel disc wheels throughout its production and never had wire wheels as a factory production option, although MG did offer a service kit for retrofitting wire wheels to TDs after the TF was introduced, and many TDs have been converted in the years since.
Wheel Sizes and Finishes
Three wire wheel specifications are catalogued. The 48-spoke wheel in 4 x 15-inch size was the standard factory fitment for the TF and is available in both painted (silver) and chrome finishes. The 60-spoke wheel in 4½ x 15-inch size is an optional larger fitment with additional structural strength and a wider tyre contact patch, also available in painted and chrome finishes. The 72-spoke wheel in 5½ x 15-inch size is a tubeless design, the widest available, accepting modern tubeless tyres without inner tubes.
The 72-spoke wheel is available in chrome only. Per the original factory specification, wire wheels were finished in silver, regardless of body colour.
Wire Wheel Production Change
The wire wheel inner flange was redesigned from chassis number TF/6887 in August 1954, with a deeper-dished inner flange. This modification improved the tyre bead seating and the structural integrity of the wheel rim. Cars from this chassis number onwards received the deeper-dished wheel as standard; earlier TF wire wheels can be identified by their shallower inner flange profile. The improved front wheel grease retainer was introduced earlier in TF production at chassis TF/3811 in April 1954, applying specifically to wire-wheeled cars.
Spoke Replacement and Wheel Rebuilding
Individual spokes are available in long and short specifications for both the 48-spoke and 60-spoke wheels, the 48-spoke wheel uses 80 long and 160 short spokes, and the 60-spoke wheel uses 100 long and 200 short. Spoke nipples are available separately. A wheel rebuild, replacing corroded, bent, or broken spokes, fitting new nipples, and truing the wheel in a jig, is specialist work, but the components are available for the workshop or experienced owner undertaking the work themselves. A wheel with loose or broken spokes places additional stress on the remaining spokes and risks progressive failure, so prompt repair or rebuild is the safe approach.
Chrome-plated wheels with loose or corroded spokes can be rebuilt with new spokes and refinished.
Inner Tubes and Maintenance
The 48-spoke and 60-spoke wire wheels require inner tubes, the spoke holes through the wheel rim prevent an airtight tubeless seal. The 72-spoke wheel is purpose-designed as a tubeless wheel and does not require inner tubes. Wire wheel maintenance is more demanding than steel disc maintenance: spoke tension, nipple condition, and rim trueness should be checked periodically, and the spinners should be checked for tightness at every wheel change.
Ordering Considerations
Confirm the wheel size required (4-inch standard or 4½-inch optional, both for inner-tube use; or 5½-inch tubeless), and the finish (painted silver or chrome, the 72-spoke is chrome only). The 48- and 60-spoke wheels are listed as fitting both the TD and TF (and the MGA, which uses the same centre-lock specification). Wheels supplied without spinners, the spinners are catalogued separately and matched to the appropriate side of the car for thread direction.