Chevrolet C50 Instrument Panel Bulb Size

The Chevrolet C50 instrument panel utilizes unique bulb sizes 57, 168, 1895, 194, and 53 to provide illumination for the gauges and indicators within the dashboard assembly. Available data for the specified components spans a range from 1960 through 1988 to identify the necessary lighting equipment for the vehicle.

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
1988	57
1986-1987	168
1985	1895
1982-1984	194
1981	53
1980	1895
1978-1979	168
1977	1895
1976	53
1975	168
1974	1895
1973	168
1972	53
1971	168
1968-1970	1895
1967	168
1966	1895
1963-1965	168
1962	194
1961	168
1960	53

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 1W.	57
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
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). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	53

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The instrument panel bulb specifications for the Chevrolet C50 span the 1960-1988 model years, covering five distinct ANSI-standard bulb types across that range.
The 168 bulb is the most frequently specified type across the C50's instrument panel history, appearing in thirteen model years. It is a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W.
The 1895 bulb is the second most common type in these specifications, used in nine model years. It is a T5 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 0.9W, drawing notably less power than the 168.
Although both the 168 and 194 share the T10 wedge form factor, their wattage ratings differ: the 168 draws 4.9W while the 194 draws 3.78W. The 194 is specified for the 1962 and 1982-1984 model years, and these two bulb types are not rated identically despite their physical similarities.
The 53 and 57 bulbs both use a BA9s bayonet base rather than a wedge base, distinguishing them from the other three types in these specifications. The 53 is rated at 12V and 2W, while the 57 is rated at 12V and 1W.
The 53 bulb appears in the 1960, 1972, 1976, and 1981 model years, and the 57 bulb is specified exclusively for the 1988 model year.
All five bulb types in these specifications conform to ANSI standards recognized in both the United States and Canada, and all operate on a 12V electrical system.
The instrument panel bulb specification for the C50 changed multiple times across consecutive model years, indicating that a single replacement type does not apply uniformly across the full production range.