Chevrolet Bel Air Radio Display Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Chevrolet Bel Air radio display bulb specifications span the 1953-1975 model years, covering four distinct bulb types across that period: the 1816, 1893, 1891, 57, and 1896.
• The 1893 and 1891 are both T5 miniature wedge bulbs rated at 12V and 2W, making them electrically identical. Despite sharing the same envelope size and wattage, they carry different ANSI designations, and interchangeability between the two should not be assumed without confirming base and fitment compatibility for a specific application.
• The 1816, a T3.25 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4W, draws twice the wattage of the T5 types used in earlier model years. This higher wattage is a relevant consideration when evaluating socket and circuit compatibility.
• The bulb designated 57 is the only single-filament type in these specifications with a BA9s bayonet base, distinguishing it from the wedge-base bulbs used across all other listed model years. Its 1W rating also makes it the lowest-wattage bulb in the group alongside the 1896.
• The 1896 is a T5 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 0.9W, the lowest wattage of all bulbs listed. It was specified for the Bel Air in 1953-1954.
• All five bulb types in these specifications conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada.
• The 1816 bulb was specified for the Chevrolet Bel Air across the 1972-1975 model years, representing the most recent application in the dataset and the only T3.25 wedge type listed.
• The 1893 was the most widely applied bulb across these specifications, covering the 1964-1969 model years, while the 1891 covered 1958-1963, together accounting for the majority of the listed model year range.