Chevrolet Corvette Back Up Light Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Corvette back up light utilizes unique bulb sizes 3157, 2458, 2057, P21W, 1156, and 1073 for various production years. Available data covers the range from 1955 to 2013.

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
2005-2013	3157
1997-2004	2057
1984-1996	1156
1962-1982	1156
1958-1959	1156
1955-1957	1073

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament wedge bulb (T25). 12V, 27W/7W.	3157
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Dual-filament bulb with BAY15d bayonet base. Brighter variant of 1157. 12V, 26.9W/8W.	2057
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 21W.	1156
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	1073

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 1156 bulb is the most frequently specified back up light bulb across the Chevrolet Corvette model range, covering 1958-1966, 1967-1984, 1985-1986, and continuing through 1996, which accounts for the majority of years in these specifications.
The 1156 operates on a single filament with a BA15s bayonet base at 12V and 21W, making it a straightforward single-function bulb with no secondary filament for additional lighting duties.
The 1073 bulb, specified for the 1955-1957 Corvette, shares the same BA15s bayonet base as the 1156 but operates at a lower wattage of 13W rather than 21W, meaning the two bulbs are physically compatible in terms of base type but differ in light output.
Because the 1073 and 1156 share the BA15s base, physical installation of one in place of the other is possible, though the wattage difference means light output would not match the original specification.
The 2057 bulb, specified for the 1997-2004 Corvette, uses a BAY15d bayonet base, which is a dual-contact base distinct from the BA15s base found on the 1156 and 1073, making those earlier bulbs incompatible with the 1997-2004 application.
The 2057 is a dual-filament bulb rated at 26.9W/8W and is described as a brighter variant of the 1157, sharing the same BAY15d base as the 1157 while producing higher light output on its primary filament.
The 3157, specified for the 2005-2013 Corvette, is also a dual-filament bulb but uses a wedge-type T25 base rather than a bayonet base, which means it is not interchangeable with the 2057 despite both being dual-filament 12V bulbs.
The 3157 is rated at 27W/8W and conforms to the ANSI standard applicable in both the United States and Canada, as do all four bulb types listed in these specifications.
The shift from single-filament bulbs (1073, 1156) to dual-filament bulbs (2057, 3157) represents a change in bulb architecture across the Corvette's back up light specification history, with dual-filament types appearing from 1997 onward in these specifications.
The 2057 and 3157 are not interchangeable with each other due to their differing base types, BAY15d versus T25 wedge, meaning a bulb specified for the 1997-2004 application would not physically fit the 2005-2013 application.