Chevrolet Biscayne Glove Box Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Biscayne glove box light requires specific bulb sizes 1895, 194, 257, and 57 depending on the specific production period. Available data covers the range from 1958 to 1972.

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	1895
1971	194
1964-1970	1895
1962-1963	257
1961	57
1958-1960	257

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 0.9W.	1895
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
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

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 1895 bulb is the most frequently specified glove box bulb across the Chevrolet Biscayne lineup, covering model years 1964-1972 with the sole exception of 1971. It is an ANSI-standard miniature wedge bulb in the T5 form factor, rated at 12V and 0.9W.
The T5 wedge form factor of the 1895 bulb uses a wedge-style base, meaning the bulb is held in its socket by the tension of the socket walls rather than by a separate base component. This construction is distinct from bayonet or festoon mounting styles.
The 1971 Chevrolet Biscayne is the only model year within the 1964-1972 span to use the 194 bulb rather than the 1895. The 194 is also an ANSI-standard miniature wedge bulb but in the larger T10 form factor, rated at 12V and 3.78W, making it significantly higher in wattage than the 1895.
Because the 194 and 1895 are both wedge-type bulbs but differ in physical size (T10 versus T5), they are not interchangeable despite sharing the same base style. Installing the wrong wedge size risks a poor fit or failure to make electrical contact.
The 257 bulb is specified for model years 1958-1960 and 1962-1963. It is an ANSI-standard instrument bulb rated at 12V and 2W, available in either a festoon or BA9s base configuration.
The festoon and BA9s base variants of the 257 bulb represent two physically different mounting types. A festoon bulb is held between two spring contacts at each end, while a BA9s bulb uses a small bayonet-style base. Confirming which socket type is present in the vehicle is necessary before replacement.
The 1961 Biscayne uses the 57 bulb, an ANSI-standard single-filament bulb with a BA9s base, rated at 12V and 1W. Although the 57 and the BA9s variant of the 257 share the same base type, their wattage ratings differ, and they are not specified as interchangeable within these fitment records.
All four bulb types listed across the Biscayne glove box specifications (1895, 194, 257, and 57) conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada, and all operate on a 12V electrical system.