MG Midget Tyres

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Classic MG Midget Mk 1, 2 & 3 Tyres

MG Midget on PIRELLI CINTURATO Tyres

The first MK1 MG Midget tyres of 1961 were originally 520 - 13 crossply tyres on 3.5" rims with a 4" wire wheel option. If you desire a crossply in this size we suggest the 5.20 x 13 Camac.
On the Mk1 (1961–1964), MK2 (1964–1966) and MK3 (1966–1972) MG Midget 145-13 radial tyres were the radial option fitted to 4” or 4.5” wheels.
From 1972 the Midget fitted 145-13 Tyres radial tyres as standard equipment.
In 1972, part way through the production of the MK3 MG Midget radial tyres became standard, with 145HR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
We would recommend fitting 145HR13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 radial tyres to all Midget's as long as they do not have the 3.5” rim.
The 145R13 radial remained as standard on the larger engine 1500 MG Midget tyres from 1974 until 1980.
The ideal innertube for these tyres is the Michelin 13CG innertube.
Some people like a slightly larger tyre; 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 is a little taller and wider for 4” – 5.5” wheels with the Michelin 13D innertube.
Many people fit wider wheels and larger tyres in which case we suggest that 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 for 4.5” – 6” rims. However, the correct size is best; if wider tyres were better MG would have fitted them.
These 175/70R13 tyres would best fit a Michelin 13E innertube.
It is worth noting the MG could have fitted wider tyres, but their testing proved that 145R13 tyres gave the nicest road performance.
Our period Innertube Guides suggest that the Midget Mk 1, 2 & 3 fitted tube-type wheels throughout production, but the Midget 1500 fitted tubeless wheels that do not require innertubes. See below for more information.
MG Midget 520-13 Crossply tyre pressure, we would suggest 18psi front and 24psi rear.
Midget tyre pressure on radial tyres we would suggest 22psi front and 26psi rear.

MG Midget Recommended Tyres

MG Midget Recommended Tyres

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145R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67

Starting at £123.60 £103.00
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175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36

Starting at £166.80 £139.00
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155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67

Starting at £123.60 £103.00
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Michelin 13CG Offset Valve Inner Tube

Starting at £27.60 £23.00
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Michelin 13D Offset Valve Inner Tube

Starting at £33.60 £28.00
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Michelin 13E Offset Valve Inner Tube

Other Options for MG Midget Tyres

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145HR13 Michelin XAS FF

Starting at £201.60 £168.00
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155 HR 13 Michelin XAS FF

Starting at £243.60 £203.00
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175/70 HR 13 Avon CR6ZZ

Starting at £308.40 £257.00
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175/70R13 Dunlop SP Sport AquaJet

Starting at £202.80 £169.00
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155HR13 Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet
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5.20 x 13 Camac

Starting at £118.80 £99.00
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Set of 4 off 145 R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67

Starting at £480.00 £400.00
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Set of 5 off 145 R 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67

Starting at £588.00 £490.00
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Set of 4 off 155 R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67

Starting at £442.80 £369.00
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Set of 5 off 155 R 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67

Starting at £540.00 £450.00
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Set of 4 off 175/70 R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36

Starting at £643.20 £536.00
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Set of 5 off 175/70 R 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36

Starting at £787.20 £656.00

History of the MG Midget

The first MG Midget, which debuted at the end of June 1961, was effectively a somewhat more costly badge-engineered version of the MkII Austin-Healey Sprite deluxe edition. The original 'frogeye' Sprite was created primarily to fill the market vacuum left by the end of manufacturing of the MG T-type Midget, since its replacement, the MGA, was a substantially larger and more costly car with increased performance. To justify its higher price, the new Midget varied from the Sprite solely in grille design, badging, enhanced inside trim, better instrumentation, and the addition of exterior polished trim.

Mechanically, the car was nearly identical to its Austin-Healey cousin, with the rear suspension utilising quarter-elliptic leaf springs and 'frogeye' trailing arms. The engine was a 948 cc A-Series with dual SU carburettors that produced 46 horsepower at 5500 rpm. All of the brakes were 7-inch drums. As factory options, a hardtop, heater, radio, and baggage rack were offered.

The engine was expanded to 1098 cc in October 1962, increasing the power to 56 hp at 5500 rpm, and disc brakes replaced the front drums. There were no exterior knobs or locks on the doors, and the windows were sliding Perspex side screens. A heater was available as an add-on. The small-engined variant was produced in 16,080 units, while the 1098 was produced in 9601 units. The British magazine The Motor tested an automobile with a 948 cc engine in 1962, and it had a maximum speed of 87.9 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 18.3 seconds.

Midget Tyres

Although the little MG Midget originally fitted 520 x 13 crossply tyres, and arguably they will give a softer more comfortable ride, predominantly people tend to want to drive on radial tyre, because of the improved directional stability suited to our modern roads.

Today Pirelli makes a 145 R 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CA67, which is just perfect for these charismatic little cars. The Midget's nimble handling will be complimented by the progressive handling of the PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CA67, which is actually a period tyre with a carcass that is developed to suit the suspension and steering of cars from this period, as opposed to just being a tyre of the right size. They are produced using modern quality control systems to ensure that these tyres are of the highest quality and use up-to-date modern compounds, so that the little tyre footprint presented to the road in a period carcass will give the best possible grip. These advantages will be especially noticeable by their performance in the wet.

MG Midget MK1, MK2, Mk3 Tyre Pressure

MG Midget tyre pressure recommendations

Tyre	Front (PSI)	Rear (PSI)
520 x 13 Camac Cross Ply	24	24

145 R 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CA67	24	28

Original Midget Tyres

Here is a snippet of a conversation from a forum about original Midget tyres that we thought might be interesting. It is worth pointing out that the Dunlop SP68 & the C41 are no longer made.:

“My handbook, an original one for a '69 Midget, shows either 5.20x13S nylon Gold Seal C41, tubeless, or 145SRx13 SP68, tubeless. It doesn't say so in the handbook but I know both tyres were Dunlop.”

John-B

“I bought a February 1968 registered Midget in June 1969 which was fitted with Pirelli Cinturato tyres, I think they must have been fitted from new as I remember having to change them soon after I bought the car.

I sold the car in 1970 and bought it back again in 1999 as a wreck but I have fully restored the car back to original specification and still own it.”