Chevrolet Corvette High Beam Indicator Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Corvette high beam indicator utilizes bulb sizes 51, 53, 257, 1895, 194, 168, 74, and 161 depending on the specific production version. Available data covers the range of 1953 through 1996 for the components listed.

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
1995-1996	161
1990-1992	161
1984-1989	74
1979-1982	194
1978	168
1977	1895
1976	194
1969-1975	1895
1961-1963	257
1955-1960	53
1953-1954	51

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 1W.	161
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 1.4W.	74
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
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). Festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb. 12V, 2W.	257
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	53
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. 12V, 2W.	51

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Corvette high beam indicator bulb specifications span three distinct bulb base types across the model's history: the wedge base (T10 and T5 form factors), the BA9s base, and the BA15s bayonet base.
The T10 wedge form factor is represented by three different ANSI bulb sizes in these specifications: the 161 (1W), 194 (3.78W), and 168 (4.9W). Although all three share the same T10 physical form factor, their wattage ratings differ significantly, meaning they are not interchangeable despite fitting the same socket type.
The bulb size 161 is specified for the 1990-1992 and 1995-1996 model years. It is a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 1W, making it the lowest-wattage T10 variant listed in these specifications.
The bulb size 74 is a T5 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 1.4W, specified for the 1984-1989 model years. The T5 form factor is physically smaller than the T10, and the two are not interchangeable.
The bulb size 1895 is also a T5 miniature wedge bulb but is rated at a lower 0.9W compared to the 74's 1.4W. It is specified for the 1969-1973 and 1975 and 1977 model years. Despite sharing the T5 form factor with the 74, the differing wattage ratings distinguish the two bulbs.
The bulb size 194, a T10 wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W, is specified for the 1976 and 1979-1982 model years. At 3.78W, it draws considerably more power than the 161 (1W) despite occupying the same T10 socket.
The bulb size 168, specified solely for the 1978 Corvette, is a T10 wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W. It is the highest-wattage T10 bulb in these specifications and is not rated the same as the 194 or 161, which share its form factor.
The bulb size 257, specified for the 1961-1963 model years, is described as a festoon or BA9s base instrument bulb rated at 12V and 2W. The festoon and BA9s base types are physically distinct mounting configurations, and fitment depends on the specific socket design present in the vehicle.
The bulb size 53, specified for the 1956-1960 model years, uses a BA9s base and is rated at 12V and 2W. While the 53 and 257 share the BA9s base type and identical voltage and wattage ratings, they are listed as separate ANSI designations and are not confirmed as interchangeable by these specifications.
The bulb size 51, specified for the 1953-1954 Corvette, uses a BA15s bayonet base rated at 12V and 2W. The BA15s base is a larger bayonet fitting than the BA9s and is physically incompatible with sockets designed for BA9s-based bulbs such as the 53 or 257.