Chevrolet Corvair Parking Brake Indicator Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Corvair parking brake indicator utilizes bulb sizes 53, 257, and 1895 for the specific lighting components located within the dashboard assembly. Available information covers the production range from 1960 through 1969 for the specified vehicle and lighting application.

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 Type	Shop
1967-1969	1895	Check Price
1964-1966	257	Check Price
1960-1963	53	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 0.9W.	1895	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb. 12V, 2W.	257	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	53	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Corvair parking brake indicator used three distinct bulb types across its production run: the 1895, 257, and 53, all conforming to ANSI standards applicable in the United States and Canada.
The 1895 bulb is a T5 miniature wedge type rated at 12V and 0.9W. Its wedge base design requires no separate socket retainer, as the bulb body itself locks into the housing.
The 1895 bulb was specified for the 1967-1969 Corvair parking brake indicator, representing the final configuration used across the model's production.
The 257 bulb is a 12V, 2W instrument bulb available in either a festoon or BA9s base configuration. At 2W, it draws more than twice the wattage of the 1895 wedge bulb used in later years.
The 257 bulb was specified for the 1964-1966 Corvair parking brake indicator. Because the 257 is available in two base types, confirming the correct base style before installation is relevant to proper fitment.
The 53 bulb is a single-filament type with a BA9s bayonet base, rated at 12V and 2W. The BA9s base uses a 9mm bayonet fitting, which is among the smallest bayonet cap sizes used in automotive instrument applications.
The 53 bulb was specified for the 1960-1963 Corvair parking brake indicator, covering the earliest four model years in the dataset.
The 53 and 257 bulbs share the same voltage and wattage ratings of 12V and 2W, but they are not interchangeable due to differences in base type. The 53 uses a BA9s bayonet base, while the 257 may use either a festoon or BA9s base.
The 1895 wedge bulb operates at 0.9W, which is lower than the 2W rating of both the 53 and 257 bulbs. Substituting a higher-wattage bulb in a circuit designed for 0.9W risks exceeding the thermal and electrical tolerances of the original socket.
Each of the three bulb types in these specifications carries ANSI designation, meaning their physical and electrical characteristics conform to a standardized definition shared across manufacturers in the US and Canadian markets.