Finding some genuine Chevy LUV is becoming a bit scarce in these times of hardened hearts. But this person has got more than enough LUV; one and a half, by my reckoning. And he’s willing to share.
This LUV, being a 4×4, is even more desirable than just any old LUV. I did a full CC on a similar version here. For those of you born before the days of LUV, it was a badge engineered Isuzu Faster (faster, my luv!) to do battle with the other Japanese mini-pickups during the great boom era for them (1970s-1980s). The LUV first appeared here way back in 1972, making it the first captive import minitruck along with the Mazda-built Ford Courier.
Presumably the trailer was bought recently rather than being for sale. Who could resist a matching bed-trailer for their pickup?
The hitch could use one of those dropped balls to make the trailer ride a bit more level, but otherwise this makes for a luverly rig.
There is one mint 4×4 Luv in Quanah Tx. There are 2wd Luv’s in Lelia Lake TX and actually 3 here in Wichita Falls one of which is a daily driver. I’ll get some pics. I even know the owner of one ( that unfortunately is no longer roadworthy) that he bought new and still has it. And their are also a few Courier’s down here as well. One I see quite often being driven, but it’s rough. However, it’s also an original owner. And I don’t know if Chevy did it different ( or earlier) with the Luv, but Ford also brought the Courier here in 72, but only the western states at first, not nationwide.
Here’s one of the DD Luv’s I see down here.
Heres the 4×4.
2nd.
I think “LUV” (Light Utility Vehicle) was a likeable acronym – far better than Subaru’s “BRAT” (Bi-drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter).
Agree! Who want’s a brat, let alone pay for it. Better to get a little luv! But they changed their bratty ways, and today love is what makes a Subaru!
Nice rig ! .
.
Sadly the LUV was made of even less durable tin foil than was the Ford Courier or Datsun’s 620 series .
.
Ford began importing the (Mazda) Courier in 1971 so LUV wasn’t the first by your definition….
.
The first year Courier’s all had nifty decals in the backlight saying ” FORDS NEW 1800 CC IMPORT ” .
.
-Nate
The first model year for the Courier was actually 1972, so it and the LUV share that distinction.
Had a 79 and an 81 Datsun. Later had an 87 Nissan. All of them proudly pulled a trailer from an early seventies Datsun frame and bed. Sometimes with and sometimes without the cap on the trailer. I always have 2-3 trailers dedicated to different things. Now, of course I am committing the sacrilege of pulling it and the Ford Courier based trailer with a Toyota 4Runner. All the beds have rusted away so it doesn’t quite seem the same. Seldom miss having a truck with the selection of trailers.
I had a similar setup with a Dodge PU and a trailer made out of a Dodge PU bed, frame and rear axle. Once went over the scales at the dump at over 12,000 lbs gross weight.
I approve of the trailer being made out of another LUV! “Luv” it when people do that, creates a very nice matching look. If I ever find myself needing a truck, I’ll probably get a Ford Ranger (of the older, pre-2012 generation) and do this very thing.
This made my day. Thanks!. As we all probably know, I have had a few LUV’s from a ’78 MIGHTY MIKE (remember those??) a ’77 parts truck, a ’74 parts truck, and my favorite, a ’75 Mikado. Tough as nails. Almost as reliable as a Toyota. I beat the hell out of mine and the ’75 rarely whimpered. Got 325K out of it, not all original, they suffered from the same head gasket issues that all Japanese bi-metal engines did in the ’70s. Could change one in a afternoon. Clutch was only real problem, it was the same as their passenger cars. Would LUV to find a pristine ’79 4X4 to park along side my ’83 Ranger 4X4
And since we cant call the LUV a GM greatest hit because they didn’t build it, can we call it a GM greatest move? (Hitting the sack with Isuzu, that is) Lets have a discussion…I will go start the popcorn…
Imagine though, for a moment, what if GM hadn’t hooked up with Isuzu in ’72, but Toyota instead (like they did for the NUMMI venture in the 80’s/90’s). I wonder how differently things might have gone down in that world?
20 years ago, a friend had the next generation – an ’81 Luv diesel. Except for the diesel, it was very similar to my ’87 Isuzu P’up (Pickup). Mine was possibly the best used vehicle I’ve ever owned.
Happy Motoring, Mark
The other half of a Luv is in this photo, as in the cab was the front half of the Florian sedan! A whole Luv is lurking in the background too.
That’d be a good-looking car if it weren’t for the daft hood ornament…
Looks to have some similarities with the Triumph 1500/Dolomite.
The Florian’s rear doors were also used rather awkwardly on the Isuzu Faster crew cab model: