Chevrolet Bel Air Ignition Light Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Bel Air ignition light requires bulb sizes 1895, 1445, or 53 depending on the specific application for the vehicle. Available data covers the range from 1958 to 1968.

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
1968	1895
1964-1967	1445
1958-1963	53

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 0.9W.	1895
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

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The ignition light bulb specifications for the Chevrolet Bel Air span model years 1958 through 1968, covering three distinct bulb sizes: 53, 1445, and 1895.
The bulb 53 is a single-filament type with a BA9s bayonet base, rated at 12V and 2W under the ANSI standard applicable in both the US and Canada. It is specified for the Bel Air across model years 1958-1963.
The bulb 1445 shares the same electrical rating and BA9s base construction as the 53, also operating at 12V and 2W under the same ANSI standard. Despite these shared characteristics, the two bulbs are distinct part numbers and are not listed as interchangeable within these specifications.
The 1445 replaces the 53 as the specified ignition light bulb beginning with the 1964 model year, continuing through 1967.
The bulb 1895 is a T5 miniature wedge type, rated at 12V and 0.9W. Its wedge base design differs fundamentally from the BA9s bayonet base used by both the 53 and 1445, making it physically incompatible with sockets designed for those bulbs.
At 0.9W, the 1895 draws significantly less power than the 2W rating of the 53 and 1445, reflecting a difference in electrical load that would affect circuit behavior if substitution were attempted.
The 1895 is specified exclusively for the 1968 Bel Air, representing a change in both base type and wattage relative to the preceding model year.
All three bulb sizes conform to ANSI standards recognized in both the US and Canada, indicating standardized production tolerances across the specified fitments.