About the Chevy LUV
The Chevy LUV, which stands for “Light Utility Vehicle,” was a compact pickup truck that was produced by Isuzu for Chevrolet. It was introduced in 1972 and was designed to appeal to the growing market of small truck buyers who were looking for smaller, lower-priced alternatives to the trucks being produced by the Big Three automakers. Instead of creating an entirely new vehicle from scratch, Chevrolet imported Isuzu-made trucks from Japan and renamed them as the Chevy LUV. Isuzu, the manufacturer of the Chevy LUV, continued to offer pickup trucks under their own name, including the Pup, in the United States. The Chevy LUV was eventually replaced by the Chevrolet S10 in 1982, marking the end of its production.
The Chevy LUV was powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine with 2-bbl carburetor, backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. It also had various upgrades over the years, including a three-speed automatic transmission in 1976, larger bed options in 1978, and four-wheel drive in 1979. Despite these upgrades, the Chevy LUV faced tough competition from other manufacturers and eventually retired from the market.
The Chevy LUV was a beloved mini-truck that gained popularity in the 1970s, and it was known for its simple and conventional engineering, as well as its appeal to a younger generation of buyers who preferred smaller, more affordable vehicles.
The Chevy LUV was actually made by Isuzu, and it was part of a wave of Japanese-made compact trucks that became available to U.S. buyers in the early 1970s, especially on the West Coast. The Chevy LUV was eventually replaced by the domestically-built S-10 after 1982, marking the end of its production.
Overall, the Chevy LUV was a significant part of the history of compact pickup trucks and left a lasting impression on small truck enthusiasts.
Contents
What’s a Chevy LUV worth?
A: The average price of a Chevrolet LUV is $14,396. Q: When was the Chevrolet LUV produced? A: The Chevrolet LUV was sold for model years 1972 to 1981.
What engine is in a Chevy LUV?
4WD Diesel LUV LUV’s four-wheel- drive model offers you impressive diesel economy. It has the low-maintenance 2.2 Liter Diesel engine and a standard 4- speed manual transmission. Gas-powered 4WD LUV. LUV also offers a 4WD model with a peppy 1.8 Liter (110.8 Cu.
What is the rarest Chevy made?
1969 Nova Yenko SC 427 – 38 Units
Rare as hen’s teeth – the 1969 Nova Yenko SC 427 tops of our list of the rarest Chevrolet muscle cars. Yenko wanted to order the 427 engine in the compact Nova’s – but Chevrolet wouldn’t allow it for safety reasons.
Was Chevy LUV an Isuzu?
The Chevrolet LUV and the later Chevrolet LUV D-Max were light pickup trucks designed and manufactured by Isuzu and marketed in the Americas since 1972 by Chevrolet over four generations as rebadged variants of the Isuzu Faster and D-Max. LUV is an acronym for “light utility vehicle”.
What replaced the Chevy LUV truck?
Chevy S-10
The Chevy LUV was sold from 1972 through 1982. It’s not as well known today as its successor, the Chevy S-10.
How many Chevrolet LUV were made?
The second-generation truck that appeared in 1981 adopted styling that resonated with fewer buyers, but it wouldn’t matter that sales were cratering because the S10 was right on the horizon—and besides, Chevy had little to complain about having moved 462,000 LUV units since the model was introduced.
Did GM ever own Isuzu?
In 1998 GM and Isuzu formed DMAX, a joint venture to produce diesel engines. GM raised its stake in Isuzu to 49% the following year, effectively gaining control of the company, and quickly followed this up by appointing an American GM executive to head Isuzu’s North American Operations.
What happened to the Chevy LUV?
It was clear Chevy and the LUV were headed for a breakup. The second generation Chevy LUV only existed for two model years, 1981 and 1982, after which the nameplate was shelved in favor of the Chevy S-10/GMC S-15 duo. It wasn’t the end of the Isuzu P’up though, as it was available in the United States through 1987.
What classic car is Chevy bringing back?
2024 Chevy Chevelle
2024 Chevy Chevelle: Built on a Camaro Base
A larger bonnet and rectangular-shaped taillights complete the look of the iconic muscle car. At its release, the 70/SS Chevelle will be available in eight heritage colors or ten modern metallic and pearl combinations. The heritage colors include: Forest Green.
Does GM still own Isuzu?
Although Isuzu has partnered with many different manufacturers over the years—including GM, Toyota, and Subaru at various times—the company is best described as an independent business venture, rather than a subsidiary of another company.
