Morris Minor Tyres
Morris Minor Tyres Explained
Morris Minor 1000 - Traveller Tyres 1948–1971
- If you are looking for tyres for a 1920s Cammy Morris Minor or 1930s 8HP please go to our section on Vintage Morris Minor Tyres.
- The original tyre for a Morris Minor 1000 or Traveller was 5.20-14 Dunlop D75 which is no longer manufactured. There isn’t another crossply tyre that we would recommend.
- The proper period radial alternative to 520-14 is 145 R14. Currently, the best tyre for a Morris 1000 is the 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
Original Morris Minor Tyres
Right: 5.20-14 Dunlop D75 (no Longer made), crossply OE on
many Morris Minors.
Left: 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67, the only genuine period-correct tyre
currently manufactured
- (Left) This is a picture of the 2 best period and original Morris Minor tyres so you can compare dimensions.
- A larger and taller radial for a Morris Traveller or Van is the 155 TR 14 Michelin X. However, 155 R14 tyres are slightly oversized, and too big for the original rim.
- We recommend the 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO because it is well suited to a Morris Minor. There is really no need to overload the car with oversized tyres.
- For 145 R14 tyres fit the Michelin 14CG innertube and for 155 R14 tyres the Michelin 14D innertube is the best fit.
- We supply a special offer Morris Traveller Wheels and Tyres set; a set of 5 4.5" x 14" Moggy Minor wheels painted in Old English White with 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 tyres, delivered fitted and balanced with a Michelin innertube by the team at Longstone Classic Tyres HQ.
- We also have sets of 4 Morris 1000 Wheels and Tyres.
- The standard Moggy Minor and coupe and saloon variants fitted thin standard car wheels that do not have a built-in safety bead, so they would need to be fitted with innertubes.
Morris Minor Traveller on 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 Tyres
- The Morris Minor van and pick-up came fitted with 4/5”X14” wheels that are wider and could be run tubeless. Our wheels & Tyres Set are reproduction Morris Minor van wheels and can be run without tubes.
- Recommended tyre pressure for a Morris Minor 1000 - 20psi front and rear.
- Recommended tyre pressure for a Morris Minor Traveller - 24psi front, 26psi rear (+4psi when fully loaded).
Morris Minor Recommended Tyres
Other Options for Morris Minor Tyres
Vintage Morris Minor on 3.50 x 19 Longstone Tyres
Pre War Vintage Morris Minor 1928–1934
- For the little Cammy Morris Minors of the late 1920s we suggest fitting the 3.50 x 19 Longstone.
- The side valve Morris Minor 8HP of the 1930s will also handle beautifully with 3.50 x 19 Longstone.
- We suggest fitting the Michelin 19MF innertube to these tyres.
- Vintage Morris Minor tyre pressure – we suggest starting at 30psi as a safe tyre pressure for Morris Minors on tarmac roads.
- For tyre pressure recommendations for newer Morris Minor models, see our Morris Minor Tyre Pressure page.
History of the Morris Minor
Morris Minor 1000 2 Door Saloon
Morris Minor Traveller on 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 Tyres
On September 20, 1948, the Morris Minor made its debut at the Earls Court Motor Show in London. More than 1.3 million were produced between 1948 and 1972 under the direction of Alec Issigonis in three series: the MM (1948 to 1953), the Series II (1952 to 1956), and lastly the 1000 series (1956 to 1971).
Initially offered as a two-door saloon and tourer (convertible), the range was enlarged in 1950 to include a four-door saloon, a wood-framed estate (the Traveller) in October 1953, and panel van and pick-up truck variations in May 1953. It was the first British automobile to sell over a million copies and is regarded as a classic example of automotive design as well as a symbol of 'Englishness.'
We received this wonderful handwritten letter by a happy customer.
Moggy Minor Tyres
The Moggy Minor 1000 and Traveller 520X14 Dunlop D75 crossply tyres which sadly is no longer produced, and there is no alternative period tyre, though there are some budget tyres in this size. The advantage of the Dunlop over budget crossply tyres is that it would give better directional stability. Even the best crossply tyres tend to wander compared to radial tyres.
Modern travel involves higher sustained cruising speeds due to the dual carriageways and motorways we use today. In many cases, people choose to fit radial tyres to classics like the Moggy Minor, to make them better suited to modern driving conditions. The Moggy 1000 is such a usable car, they do put some miles in; so the extra longevity offered by a radial tyre is also appreciated.
Morris Minor Traveller 1000 on 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 Tyres
When choosing a tyre for a Minor or a Traveller, finally having something such as the 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; CA67 is great news because, at last, there is a tyre that looks right. What could be better-looking on these practical little cars than a PIRELLI CINTURATO ™; however it isn't all about the look.
We can, in this circumstance have something that looks right on a Moggy minor while being the right size, shape & possessing a carcass that is suited to the thin rims of a Morris Minor 1000 or Traveller. These cars did originally have relatively thin rims which this 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 is suited (of course these tyres will also work perfectly on the wide Morris Minor van wheels as well).
Morris Minor with New Wheels and 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 Tyres
Morris Minor Wheels and Tyres
We are offering a special off on sets of original Morris Minor wheels with the Pirelli Cinturato CA67 genuine period 145 HR14. They come fitted to the wheel with a Michelin innertube, and the wheels and tyres have been fitted and balanced at Longstone tyres where we fit classic tyres to classic car wheels every day. We offer:
- 1 Original Morris Minor Wheel and Tyre with a 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
- A set of 4 Morris Minor wheels and Tyres
- A Set of 5 Morris Traveller Wheels and Tyres from Pirelli.
Morris Minor Wheels
The standard wheels fitted to the Morris Minor cars were a 3.0D-14” wheel (often described as a 3jX14” wheel) this is what was originally fitted to the car. This 3D rim section is fine for fitting the original 5.20-14 crossply tyre, or the 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO. There is also the option to fit the wider Morris Van wheels. These slightly wider reproduction wheels offer the option of fitting the tyres tubeless. Worth noting that though these wider wheels do give the option to fit a 155 R14 tyre, all models; Morris 1000, Morris Traveller, Van and Pick up will drive nicer fitted with a proper period 145 R14 tyres.
Morris Minor Tyres
For some time now there hasn’t been a perfect tyre for the lovely Morris Minor. We are now fortunate enough to have two excellent options, Pirelli’s 145 HR 14 CINTURATO CA67 which is light and nimble for the Moggy Minor owner who wants to keep his car handling like it would have done in the period and the 155 TR 14 Michelin X for the owner that wants slightly longer legs. Both are period tyres from two of the world’s best tyre manufacturers.
5.20-14 Dunlop D75. However, there is not a crossply that we would happily recommend today. The 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 is the only correct period tyre. 155 R14 tyres are oversized.
The 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 is the best tyre for a Morris Minor Traveller as it is the correct radial equivalent to a 5.20-14 crossply. The 145 HR 14 CINTURATO CA67 is a tall tyre in the section 145 and is also suited to fit a thin rim.
Pirelli make the 145 HR 14 CINTURATO CA67 which is the best tyre for any Moggy Minor, including the 1000, because they are tall and thin, keep the handling the way it should be without loading up the steering.
The 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 is the best tyre for a Morris Minor Van, because it is the right size. Some people like to use van wheels so they can fit a 155 R14 because it is a cheap tyre. However, that is the wrong size, the 145 is more correct, and will handle and suit all models of Morris Minor including the van better.
155 R 14 Nankang and 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 - The Nankang is too wide, and will compromise the handling
145 R14 and 155 R14 Morris Minor Tyres
Many people fit a 155 R14 Nankang because it is cheapest. however, it is a wrong size budget tyre. Many people fit the wider wheel rims so they can fit a 155 R14 tyre because they are cheap. However, it is misguided, and will not handle as well as a 145 R14, of which the Pirelli is a genuine period tyre and taller than other 145 R14 tyres.
145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and 155 TR 14 Michelin X - The Michelin X is too wide for standard Morris Minor Wheels
145 R14 Morris Minor Tyres
A 155 R14 is too wide for Morris Minor wheels. If you fit Moggy Minor Van wheels they are wider and can take a 155 R14 tyre. We would only consider the 155 TR 14 Michelin X. However the rest of the car is designed to fit a skinny 5.20-14 crossply. So the better tyre would be a 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 regardless of what wheels you have. It suits the car better, it is tall and thin and was developed to be suited to thin rims.
145 SR 14 Camac BN313 and 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 and 145 TR 14 Bridgestone - The CA67 has the rounded shoulders of a proper classic tyre, the others are modern tyres in a classic size (check that's true)
Morris Minor Original Equipment
5.20-14 Dunlop D75. However there is not a crossply tyre we would happily recommend today, and suggest fitting the 145 HR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 as it is the only correct period tyre.