Ford Torino License Plate Bulb Size

The Ford Torino license plate light uses bulb size 631 or 97 depending on the specific version. Data for the lighting components covers the range from 1968 to 1973.

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
1971-1973	631
1968-1970	97

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 21W.	631
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford Torino uses two distinct bulb sizes for the license plate position across the 1968-1973 model years: the 631 and the 97.
The 631 bulb is the specified fitment for the 1971-1973 model years, while the 97 bulb applies to the 1968-1970 model years.
Both the 631 and the 97 are ANSI-standardized bulbs recognized in the United States and Canada, and both share the BA15s single-contact bayonet base configuration.
The BA15s base type uses a single contact pin offset to one side, which mechanically distinguishes it from double-contact bayonet bases and prevents incorrect bulb seating.
Both bulbs are single-filament designs operating at 12 volts, consistent with the 12-volt electrical systems standard in automotive applications of this era.
The primary technical difference between the two bulbs is wattage: the 631 is rated at 21W, whereas the 97 is rated at 13W, meaning the 631 produces a notably higher light output for the license plate position.
Both the 631 and the 97 are classified as variants of the 1156 bulb family, indicating a shared base geometry with that widely used automotive bulb type.
Despite the shared base type between the 631 and the 97, the wattage difference means the two are not interchangeable without consequence, as substituting a 21W bulb in a socket rated for 13W risks exceeding the thermal and electrical tolerances of the socket and wiring.