Chevrolet Corvette Ignition Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Corvette ignition light uses bulb sizes 1895, 1445, 53, and 51 depending on the specific production period. Available information covers the span from 1953 through 1968.

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
1968	1895
1964-1967	1445
1955-1963	53
1953-1954	51

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T5). 12V, 0.9W.	1895
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA9s base. 12V, 2W.	1445
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 ignition bulb specifications for the Chevrolet Corvette span the 1953-1968 model years, covering four distinct ANSI-standard bulb types across that period.
The bulb 53 is the most frequently specified type, appearing across the 1955-1963 model years. It is a single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 2W, fitted with a BA9s base.
The BA9s base, used by both the 53 and 1445 bulbs, is a small bayonet-style cap with a 9mm collar. The two bulb types share identical voltage and wattage ratings of 12V and 2W, though they carry different ANSI designations and are not confirmed as interchangeable by these specifications.
The 1445 bulb is specified for the 1964-1967 Corvette. Like the 53, it is a single-filament BA9s bulb rated at 12V and 2W.
The 1968 Corvette uses the 1895 bulb, which differs structurally from all earlier types. It is a T5 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 0.9W, making it the lowest-wattage bulb in these specifications.
The T5 designation of the 1895 bulb refers to a tubular envelope roughly 5/8 of an inch wide. Its wedge base replaces the bayonet-style fittings found in all other bulbs listed here, meaning it is not physically compatible with earlier Corvette ignition sockets.
The 51 bulb is specified for the 1953-1954 Corvette. It is a single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 2W, but it uses a BA15s bayonet base rather than the BA9s base found in the 53 and 1445 types. The BA15s has a 15mm collar, making it a larger fitting that is not interchangeable with BA9s sockets.
Across the full 1953-1968 range, three different base types are represented: BA15s (51), BA9s (53 and 1445), and wedge (1895). A bulb from one base family cannot be fitted into a socket designed for another.
All four bulb types conform to ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada, indicating standardized physical and electrical tolerances within each respective designation.
The wattage shift from 2W in the 51, 53, and 1445 bulbs to 0.9W in the 1895 reflects a reduction in power draw for the 1968 model year ignition bulb position.