Chevrolet Chevelle Tail Light Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Chevelle tail light utilizes a 1157 bulb size for the specific lighting component located at the rear of the vehicle. Available data covers the period from 1964 through 1973 without any variation in the required specifications.

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
1964-1973	1157

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. 12V, 21W/5W.	1157

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 1157 is the tail light bulb size for the Chevrolet Chevelle across all listed model years, spanning 1964-1973.
The 1157 bulb is an ANSI-standardized type, meaning its physical and electrical specifications are defined by a recognized North American standards body and are consistent across manufacturers.
As a dual-filament bulb, the 1157 contains two separate filaments within a single envelope, allowing it to serve two distinct lighting functions from one unit, typically stop and tail light operation.
The 1157 operates on a 12-volt electrical system, which is standard for automotive applications of this type.
Its two filaments are rated at 21 watts and 5 watts respectively, with the higher-wattage filament producing the brighter output used for braking signals and the lower-wattage filament providing the dimmer running light output.
The 1157 uses a BAY15d bayonet base, a two-pin offset base design that prevents incorrect installation by ensuring the bulb can only be seated in one rotational orientation, aligning each filament with its corresponding circuit contact.
The BAY15d base is a widely produced standard, meaning 1157 bulbs from different manufacturers are physically interchangeable in the Chevelle's tail light sockets across all listed years.
Because the same bulb number applies to the Chevrolet Chevelle from 1964-1973 without variation, no year-specific fitment distinctions exist within this range for the tail light position.