Jaguar XKE License Plate Bulb Size

The Jaguar XKE license plate light requires a bulb with the specific size 97 for proper illumination. Data for the lighting component covers the period from 1969 to 1974.

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
1969-1974	97

Bulb Specifications

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

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The bulb type specified across all listed model years of the Jaguar XKE license plate position is the 97, an ANSI-standardized bulb recognized in both the United States and Canada.
The 97 bulb operates on a 12-volt electrical system and draws 13 watts, placing it in the low-wattage range typical of auxiliary lighting positions such as license plate illumination.
The 97 uses a BA15s bayonet base, which is a single-contact bayonet fitting. The "s" designation in BA15s denotes a single center contact at the base, as opposed to the dual-contact BA15d variant.
The 97 is a single-filament bulb, meaning it serves one lighting function only, which is consistent with its application in a license plate position rather than a dual-function stop or tail light.
The 97 bulb is described as a variant of the 1156. While the two share the BA15s base type, they are not identical, and substitution between them warrants attention to wattage and voltage tolerances before use.
The Jaguar XKE license plate position called for the 97 bulb across the 1969-1974 model years, reflecting a consistent electrical specification throughout that production span.