Chevrolet Bel Air Automatic Transmission Indicator Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Bel Air automatic transmission indicator utilizes bulb sizes 1445, 194, 1895, 257, 53, 57, and 51 depending on the specific version of the component. Data for the lighting components spans the period 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
1972-1973	1445
1970-1971	194
1969	1895
1968	194
1964-1967	1895
1961-1963	257
1960	53
1955-1957	57
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). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 0.9W.	1895
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb. 12V, 2W.	257
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	53
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 1W.	57
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 2W.	51

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 1895 bulb is the most frequently specified type across the Chevrolet Bel Air automatic transmission indicator fitments, covering 1964-1966, 1967, and 1969. It is a T5 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 0.9W, making it the lowest wattage bulb among all types listed in these specifications.
The BA9s base is shared by three distinct bulb types in these specifications: the 1445, 257, and 53. Although these bulbs share the same base format, their ANSI designations differ, and substituting one for another without confirming the full specification would be inadvisable.
The 194 bulb, a T10 miniature wedge type rated at 12V and 3.78W, is the highest wattage bulb in these specifications. It is specified for the 1968, 1970-1971 model years.
The 1445 and 53 bulbs share identical electrical ratings of 12V and 2W and both use a BA9s base, yet they carry different ANSI designations. The 1445 is specified for 1972-1973, while the 53 is specified for 1960.
The 51 bulb, specified for 1953-1954, is the only bulb in these specifications that uses a BA15s bayonet base. This base type is physically incompatible with the BA9s sockets used by several other bulbs in the same fitment list.
The 57 bulb, specified for 1955-1957, is rated at 12V and 1W with a BA9s base. At 1W, it draws less power than the similarly based 1445, 257, and 53 bulbs, which are all rated at 2W.
The 257 bulb, specified for 1961-1963, is noted as accepting either a festoon or BA9s base configuration. This dual-base notation distinguishes it from other BA9s-listed bulbs in the specifications, which carry no such alternative fitment note.
Across the full span of these specifications, four distinct base types are represented: the BA9s, the BA15s bayonet, the T10 miniature wedge, and the T5 miniature wedge. Wedge-base bulbs are not interchangeable with bayonet or BA9s socket types due to their differing physical mounting designs.