MG - MG Midget
The MG Midget was manufactured between 1961 and 1975. The original Midgetlater known as Mk1 was the replacement for the Austin Healey Sprite, with its BMC 948cc A series engine. By 1962 the MG Midget engine was enlarged to 1098cc, as well as being fitted with front disc brakes, with wire wheels available only as an optional extra. The MG Midget Mk2 (built between 1964 and 1966) produced more power, and the Mk2's are distinguishable by having wind up windows. The MG Midget Mk3 (1966 to 1974) was fitted with a detuned version of the 1275cc Cooper S engine, but it had the "12G940" cylinder head casting rather than the special Cooper big valve head. During 1974 the large rubber bumper over riders got introduced, with the bodywork now having a flat topped rear wheel arch on the bodywork. From 1974 the MG Midget Mk4 was fitted with the 1500cc Triumph Spitfire engine, called the MG Midget 1500, and all Midgets were built to this specification until production ceased in 1979. And to adhere to US legislation these cars now had the rubber bumpers fitted to the rear as well as front.
MG Midget tyre size (covering MG Midget Mk1, MG Midget Mk2, MG Midget Mk3) was originally 5.20 x 13 which is equivalent to a radial 145R13 size, and remember that in any case the later Midget Mk3's got fitted with this radial ply 145R13 tyre size from the Abingdon factory. The later MG Midget Mk4 was supplied with the radial 145R13 size as standard. Note that the Blockley tyre size 145R13 is the tallest (some 10mm on diameter) compared to anything else available, and therefore our Blockley tyre is the closest diameter to the original cross ply size. MG Midgets with the wire wheels require inner tubes and rim bands in their tyres, whereas the later cars that have the rostyle wheels can fit tyres in a tubeless fashion.
For those requiring a wider non standard tyre for an MG Midget we also produce the 155HR13 and 175/70VR13 sizes. Note that the MG Midget wheels have a 4 inch wide rim, to which a non standard 155R13 tyre can also be fitted. Most aftermarket MG Midget wheels are 4.5" wide, a size you should not really be fitting a 145R13 tyre to, but at 4.5" wide you can still fit a 155R13 tyre, or a same diameter but overall wider version which is 175/70VR13 tyre size. Details of all these tyre sizes suitable for the MG Midget can be seen at the links below:
