LUV Story: 1976 Chevrolet LUV Pickup
The fuel supply crisis of the 1970s drove buyers of pickup trucks to the showrooms of Toyota and Datsun in search of more fuel efficient load haulers. GM didn’t have a small truck to offer so they went shopping in Japan, too and brought in the Isuzu Faster badged as the Chevrolet LUV. There is a 1976 Chevrolet LUV for sale on eBay in Huntington Woods, Michigan for a BIN of $4,200 or offer. Thanks for the tip, anonymous Barn Finds reader!
I had the pleasure of working in a Chevrolet dealer when these were new to the market. They appealed to buyers who needed a small truck but didn’t want to buy something “foreign”. The LUV was as good as anything the Toyota and Datsun guys offered but today Chevy LUV survivors are thin on the ground.
This Chevy LUV is obviously loved by its owner. Its had an elaborate custom airbrush graphics job applied and it has been highly accessorized. Whitetail deer, elk, and moose adorn the hood, side panels and tailgate along with go-faster stripes down the sides. Period slotted wheels, bed cover and a light bar round out the appearance. We don’t have any close-up photos of the lower edges or rocker panels but it looks like there is some rust-through there.
Power is supplied by a 1,800 cc overhead cam four-cylinder engine cranking out 75 horsepower and 88 lb-ft of torque, which applied to a 1,400-pound payload made for leisurely progress. The original buyer of this truck opted for the three-speed automatic transmission that made driving more convenient but didn’t do performance any favors. 1976 also marked the first year for front disc brakes in place of the original four wheel drum brake setup.
The interior photo supplied is not the best, but we can see that the seats have aftermarket covers on them and the carpet may be a replacement as well. We can also see some black plugs on one of the door frames, so it may have been treated to rustproofing when it was new. A photo of the gauges show them to be in nice condition with the odometer reading a little over 27,000 miles, but the seller states that the speedometer does not work. The question is: Do you LUV it?
Auctions Ending Soon
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1Bid Now1 days$7,100
2003 Porsche Boxster SBid Now1 days$4,000
1966 Lincoln ContinentalBid Now1 days$500
2000 Jaguar XJ8LBid Now5 days$1,250
1977 Datsun 280ZBid Now6 days$275
Comments
Where do these prices come from 10-15 years ago be hard pressed to get a 500 dollars for this truck 1000 would be a dream. 0-60 12 seconds payload under 1500 pounds. No thank you
Your missing the point , it’s just a fun little truck from a different time , no one is bringing her to the drag strip or hauling junk with it 🤓
Talk about a knee jerk reaction from Detroit on the “mini-pickup” issue. I can just hear the boardroom meetings,,, “DO SOMETHING, QUICK, they’re killing us!!”. Enter the Isuzu Faster. I never knew they were called that, maybe the name LUV/Faster didn’t fly in the US. LUV’s were great trucks,( better if it had an extra cab model) better than the S-10 that replaced it.
My favorite sentence is at the very end: This car is a fun driver car – starts right up and drives great! I will not even comment on that.
In my neck of the woods they rusted faster than the imports. $1,000 truck at best.
Nobody has commented on the automatic transmission yet?
I am surprised.
I am surprised no one — other than Rodney — has discussed the awesome airbrush graphics. This period artistry was usually reserved for vans. I hope it gets preserved.
Find a wrecked S2000 and insert drivetrain.
Between the roll bar and the aftermarket lights on it, I do believe that the true payload capacity has been exceeded. Definitely added 7-8 more seconds to it’s zero to 45 time. 60 mph now unobtainable. 😂😂😂
This was my first “car”! ’76 Chevy LUV, light blue, black bench seat interior, with a 4-speed! Good little truck, but a bit tight for a 6’2″ kid. Poor thing suffered from the same rocker rot that this one appears to have.
Not sure why you guys are bad mouthing the performance. Mine could bark the tires at will in any gear >.> …all I had to do was mash the brake pedal and lock up the wheels, LOL! :-b
Haul away free lol
Not sure either of why all the hate, I have a 73 and these were super popular for motor swaps and hot rodding. Mine was absurd with a SBC and I had loads of fun with it. Looking to pull mine from storage and sell with choice of motors, (Datsun/Nissan or Toyota motors drop right in) and buyers choice of 4cyl, V6 or V8,
Prices have gone up too. Here in Oregon still some cheap ones but they are seeing serious price/value climbs.
Will never be a Chevelle or Classic Mustang but there is tons of nostaligia for these. Mine has the roll bar and Suburu Brat jump seats in the back, Volvo leather buckets in the front and all kinds of 70s and early 80s customizing.
A period custom like this should be popular with many people,,,
*** Hint- while SBC transplants WERE popular they become death machines on wheels, not enough brakes, suspension or gearing and no power steering, mine was more of a toy, not something you would want to drive to work in every day.
But back when I had mine running, Import tuner cars were becoming popular with fart pipes, roller skate wheels and more stereo power then engine HP,,, So when I pulled up with my Kraco stereo but a lumpy cam, holley, edelbrock, and headers and my whole car rumbled and shook and then pulled air when I hit the gas,,,It was instant street cred from the tuner car crowd.