Chevrolet Bel Air Ash Tray Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Bel Air ash tray utilizes bulb sizes 1445, 53, and 51 for the interior lighting components. Provided information covers the specific time range from 1953 through 1973.

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
1964-1973	1445
1955-1963	53
1953-1954	51

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	1445
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	53
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 2W.	51

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Bel Air ash tray bulb specifications cover model years 1953 through 1973, with three distinct bulb types used across that span: the 1445, the 53, and the 51.
The 1445 and 53 bulbs share identical electrical and base specifications. Both are ANSI-standard single-filament bulbs rated at 12V and 2W, and both use a BA9s base, which is a miniature bayonet cap with a 9mm body.
Despite their shared specifications, the 1445 and 53 are distinct part numbers. Substituting one for the other requires verification of physical fit, as ANSI designations can reflect differences in bulb envelope size or shape even when voltage, wattage, and base type are the same.
The 51 bulb, used in the 1953-1954 Bel Air, also carries a 12V, 2W rating but uses a BA15s base rather than a BA9s. The BA15s is a single-contact bayonet base with a 15mm body, making it physically incompatible with sockets designed for the BA9s-based 1445 or 53 bulbs.
The Chevrolet Bel Air transitioned from the 51 bulb to the 53 bulb between the 1954 and 1955 model years, representing a change in base type from BA15s to BA9s.
The 53 bulb was specified for the 1955-1963 model years, after which the 1445 replaced it beginning with the 1964 model year, a fitment change that persisted through 1973.