Chevrolet Bel Air Dome Light Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Bel Air dome light utilizes bulb sizes 561, 211-2, 1004, and 81 depending on the specific production period for the vehicle. Data provided for the lighting components spans the period from 1950 through 1975.

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 Type	Shop
1974-1975	561	Check Price
1961-1973	211-2	Check Price
1955-1960	1004	Check Price
1950-1952	81	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 44mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V, 12W.	561	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 12W.	211-2	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. Variant of 1157. 12V, 21/5W.	1004	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 8W.	81	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 211-2 is the most frequently specified dome light bulb across the Chevrolet Bel Air range, covering the 1961-1973 model years. It is a festoon-type bulb with an SV8.5 base and a 41mm length, rated at 12V and 12W.
The 561 is also a festoon-type bulb, rated at 12V and 12W, but uses end-cap contacts rather than the SV8.5 base found on the 211-2. Although both bulbs share the same voltage and wattage, the differing base types mean they are not interchangeable.
The 1004 bulb, specified for the Chevrolet Bel Air from 1956-1960, is a dual-filament bulb mounted on a BAY15d bayonet base. Its 21/5W dual-filament design is more commonly associated with stop and tail light applications, making its use in a dome light position a notable fitment characteristic.
The 1004 is described as a variant of the 1157. Despite this relationship, the two are not confirmed as direct substitutes within these specifications, and fitment should be treated as specific to the 1004 designation.
The 81 bulb, used on the Bel Air from 1950-1952, is a single-filament bulb with a BA15s bayonet base, rated at 12V and 8W. The BA15s base accepts only single-filament bulbs, which distinguishes it from the BAY15d base used by the 1004.
All four bulb types listed carry ANSI standard designations valid in both the United States and Canada, indicating standardized sizing and electrical ratings across the North American market.
The transition from the 1004 to the 211-2 between the 1960 and 1961 model years represents a shift from a bayonet-base bulb to a festoon-type bulb. These two base formats are physically incompatible, and the dome light housing design would differ accordingly between those model years.