Chevrolet Bel Air High Beam Indicator Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Bel Air high beam indicator utilizes bulb sizes 51, 53, 57, 194, 257, and 1895 depending on the specific production period. Available data covers the range from 1953 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 Size
1972-1975	194
1971	1895
1969-1970	194
1964-1965	1895
1963	257
1961-1962	57
1955-1960	53
1953-1954	51

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
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, 1W.	57
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 194 bulb is the most frequently specified high beam indicator bulb across the Chevrolet Bel Air lineup, covering the 1969-1975 model years with the exception of 1971. It is a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W, conforming to ANSI standards for the US and Canadian markets.
The 1895 bulb is a T5 miniature wedge type rated at 12V and 0.9W. It is specified for the 1971 Bel Air alongside the 1964-1965 model years, making it the second most recurring bulb type in these specifications.
Although both the 194 and 1895 bulbs share a wedge base construction and operate at 12V, their wattage ratings differ substantially. The 194 draws 3.78W while the 1895 draws only 0.9W, and their T10 versus T5 form factors mean the two types are not interchangeable.
The 1955-1960 Bel Air models are split between two distinct bulb types. The 53 bulb, a BA9s single-filament type rated at 12V and 2W, is specified for 1955-1960, while the 51 bulb, which uses a BA15s bayonet base also rated at 12V and 2W, is specified for 1953-1954. The differing base styles make these two bulbs physically incompatible despite sharing the same voltage and wattage.
The 1961-1962 Bel Air uses the 57 bulb, a BA9s single-filament type rated at 12V and 1W. While it shares the BA9s base with the 53 bulb used in earlier years, its lower 1W rating distinguishes it electrically from the 2W 53 bulb.
The 1963 Bel Air is the only model year in these specifications to use the 257 bulb, described as a festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb rated at 12V and 2W. Its dual base compatibility designation sets it apart from all other bulb types listed here.
All bulb types across the full range of these specifications conform to ANSI standards applicable to both the US and Canadian markets, indicating consistent regulatory compliance throughout the listed model years.
The base type is a critical fitment factor across these specifications. Three distinct base configurations are present: the wedge base shared by the 194 and 1895, the BA9s base shared by the 257, 57, and 53, and the BA15s bayonet base exclusive to the 51. Substituting a bulb with an incompatible base type would prevent proper physical installation.