The DeLorean DMC 12 front turn signal requires a 1157 bulb size while the rear turn signal uses a P21W bulb size. The replacement chart covers 1981 to 1983 production years with corresponding bulb size specifications.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The DeLorean DMC-12 front turn signal uses the 1157 bulb across all three production years, 1981-1983.
The 1157 is a dual-filament bulb rated at 12V with a 21W main filament and a 5W secondary filament, housed in a BAY15d bayonet base.
The BAY15d base features two offset pins at different heights, a design that prevents incorrect insertion and distinguishes it from single-filament bayonet bases.
The DMC-12 rear turn signal uses the P21W bulb across all three production years, 1981-1983.
The P21W is a single-filament bulb rated at 12V and 21W, fitted with a BA15s bayonet base, which uses two pins at the same height.
The 1157 follows the ANSI standard used in the United States and Canada, while the P21W follows the ECE standard used in Europe and worldwide, reflecting the DMC-12's dual-market production context.
Because the front 1157 and rear P21W share the same 12V operating voltage, both are compatible with the DMC-12's standard automotive electrical system.
The BAY15d base of the 1157 and the BA15s base of the P21W are physically incompatible with each other, meaning the front and rear bulbs are not interchangeable despite sharing the same voltage rating.
The dual-filament design of the 1157 allows a single front bulb to serve two lighting functions simultaneously, a characteristic not shared by the single-filament P21W used at the rear.