Buick Opel License Plate Bulb Size

The Buick Opel license plate light requires bulb size 53 or 67 depending on the specific configuration of the vehicle. Data for the bulb requirements covers the range from 1976 through 1979.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
1979	53
1976-1978	67

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	53
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 8W.	67

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Buick Opel uses two distinct bulb types across its 1976-1979 model years for the license plate position: the 53 and the 67.
Both the 53 and 67 are ANSI-standard bulbs rated for use in the US and Canada, operating at 12 volts.
The 53 bulb is a single-filament type fitted with a BA9s base and draws 2 watts, making it one of the lower-output bulbs in common automotive use.
The 67 bulb is also a single-filament type but uses a BA15s bayonet base and draws 8 watts, representing a notably higher output than the 53.
The BA9s base on the 53 and the BA15s base on the 67 are physically incompatible with each other, meaning the two bulb types are not interchangeable.
The 67 is a lower-wattage variant of the 1156 bulb. While both share the BA15s bayonet base, the 1156 draws significantly more current, and substituting it for the 67 in a license plate socket could exceed the circuit's design tolerances.
The 1979 Buick Opel uses the 53 bulb for the license plate position, while the 1976-1978 model years use the 67, indicating a base-type change between the 1978 and 1979 model years.