Tyres - Morris Minor

[Rich G]

The MD has given her permission for me to buy a new toy this year. It'll be a Minor saloon, not fussed if it's a 2 or 4 door, or what colour. One of the first things I want to do (after a thorough checkover by my local classic specialist), is to fit some van steels (4.5 x 14s). Question is - what size tyres would suit it best?

[Pothole]

Marina wheels used to be a popular "upgrade" I seem to remember, because they offered a wider choice of rubber options.

[Jediworrier]

I think marinas had a different stud pattern, seem to remember something about it while doing a marina disc conversion years back. Fit a fiat twink (if you can still get one).

[LarJammer]

I think Longstone do tyres suitable for the original wheels now.

[Djr1]

Seem to remember 155s being a decent fit for van wheels. Think standards wheels were 145, and I had 165s on some 5j rostyles from a midget. It was a while back though..

[Pothole]

Jediworrier said:

I think marinas had a different stud pattern, seem to remember something about it while doing a marina disc conversion years back. Fit a fiat twink (if you can still get one).

That was so popular in the 80s when I had Minors! I saw a heavily "customised" pick up still running a twin cam (Lancia, but still effectively the same) at Really Retro last year...

[Rich G]

Thanks all, 155s sounds just the ticket! Just need to find a car that fits the budget.

[sim16v]

Jediworrier said:

I think marinas had a different stud pattern, seem to remember something about it while doing a marina disc conversion years back. Fit a fiat twink (if you can still get one).

Fiat twin cam now very rare, but if you are going down the modified route, MX5 running gear works well!

[MDT]

Rich G said:

Thanks all, 155s sounds just the ticket! Just need to find a car that fits the budget.

The modern equivalent to the standard Morris car tyre is 145 wide. you can easily fit 155 on the car wheels. If you do have a set of genuine van / commercial wheels then you can easy get 165 onto them.

[52classic]

AIRC the Marina wheel is 13" and the Minor 14". I think the stud pattern is OK but of course the car sits lower then standard.

Don't forget it is the profile that has as much influence on 'classic' appearance as anything else. When switching from cross ply to radial on my 100e Pop I shopped around for 80 profile radials at 155 width. These are certainly orderable at any tyre depot. 65 or even 70 profile on 13" wheels would look wrong on a Moggie IMHO.

[anonymous-user]

Sign up here
https://www.mmoc.org.uk/Messageboard/

It may be a good place to look for a car too.

[Jediworrier]

sim16v said:

Fiat twin cam now very rare, but if you are going down the modified route, MX5 running gear works well!

I still have a couple in garage with gearboxes, just need to find a van that's far gone enough I don't mind modding it.

[fatfunkymonkey]

One of the suppliers is selling van wheels with 155r14 tires as a package, but they are expensive. I went down the minilite rep route on the Moggy van and its made a vast improvement to the stability of the thing.

I have a thread on here if you search for Morris 6cwt that details the improvements I've made to make it more of a daily driver that may help you a bit.

[kevin st]

I've got 13" midget rostyles with 165 80 tyres on them, the rolling circumference is much the same as the original tyres.

[52classic]

Just a P.S. to this.....

Called in to the local indy tyre place today and they confirm that 80 profile tyres are readily available in 13" or 14" x 145,155 or 165. Less than 50 quid fitted, balanced etc.

I do like the look of a Moggy on Rostyles tho'