Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Need Tire Help

I am the relatively new owner of a 1956 RHD Morgan. I am new to Morgans, but not to British cars. I have owned several Triumphs and Jaguars and am trying to learn my way through all things Morgan. My car is pretty original. It is low mileage, with only 59,000 miles and good service records to back it up. I am not clear on the tires though. What I have read appears it would have had a larger tire originally than it has on it now. The tire now is a Michelin 165 S16. When I reached out to Coker Tire they told me it would have originally had a 17 inch tire. Is that correct? Could it have also been a wide whitewall? Is that considered period correct, or not? I have seen several cars with them, just not sure whether they are correct, or not.

Many thanks in advance.

Steve, there are a few different models of Morgan, and many a Morgan has been modified by former owners, thus without more detail it is difficult to be specific. Pictures often help. Never seen a Morgan here in the UK with white wall tyres, though pretty sure I have seen an old pic of one such in the US.

Plenty of info and pics on the www, if no one comes up with an answer here, you could Google GoMoG.com where you will find answers to many Morgan questions and links to other Morgan websites.

Hope you have a great time with your new acquisition..

The older cars originally had the CROSSPLY tyres many have been converted to radial, radial are much more modern and grip the road better.
It really depends if you want the original look or better safety?
Longstone tyres here in the UK can offer advice and do have a good selection, do consider your ground clearance and speedo inaccuracy depending on your tyres chosen!
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/morgan/morgan-plus-4.html

Here is our 1956 Plus 4 fitted with Avon H M Tourist 5.00 / 5.25 - 16 max 29psi crossply tyres

DSC_0005 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr

close up of the tyre fitted as the rear spare
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kWWpCgtyre 1956 Morgan Plus 4 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr]tyre 1956 Morgan Plus 4 by Robert & Ali Davies, on Flickr[/url]

The +4 was never fitted with 17 inch wheels and tyres , but as Rob says above, 16 inch rims with cross (bias) ply tyres were standard in the 50s.

The whole world has changed away from cross plies since then , and a 165x 16 radial should be pretty good, however you may need to check the clearance against the silencer at the rear , and the top cross frame mount at the front. If there is fouling, consider going down to a 155 x 16.

The alternative is to look for a set of 15 inch wheels , this will give you a wider range of tyre choices.

Thanks for the quick help!

Still learning here on how to post pics. My day job keeps getting in the way of my hobbies.

One more tire related question- the wheel is silver and the body colour is orange. Many car I see have wheel painted body colour. Is on colour more more correct than the other?

Steven,

I think almost all disc wheels left the factory painted silver in this period, but as ever with Morgans you never know for sure.

Some enthusiasts customise their cars by painting them either in body colour , or a contrast colour.

Both have their adherents and their detractors , I think it just down to personal taste. Go with whatever suits you.