Of all the segments I’d like to see return to the marketplace in droves, a great selection of small, inexpensive, basic pickups from a variety of manufacturers would undoubtedly be near the top of my list.  So many new trucks now seem to cost about as much as my first house, and that’s a shame, because not everybody wants or needs a hauler as large and sophisticated as most of the ones I’m seeing on the road nowadays.   Not that many years ago, light-duty pickups were readily available and plentiful, with the Chevrolet LUV one that was both affordable and dependable.  This 1980 model here on eBay is a low-mileage, nicely preserved example and features the higher-trim Mikado package.  This one’s located in New Milford, Connecticut, and while the buy-it-now price of $12,500 is more than double what it would have cost new, it still seems fairly reasonable given the pickup market as of late.

T.J., thanks a lot for your excellent tip here!  The Mikado Sport Cab option provided buyers with additional colorful exterior trim, with the orange and red stripes complementing the white finish nicely here.  The seller mentions in his video that this truck came from a warm and dry region somewhere out west, and it’s wearing a Texas plate on the back.  The body is reported to be all metal and rock-solid, and there are a few chips and minor cosmetic issues, especially in the bed area.  However, to be over 45 years old, the exterior still looks far better overall than most, so I’d probably leave it alone and focus on preservation and just enjoying this fun little pickup as is.

In the video, the interior is described as a time capsule, and it seems the seller is on the right track here.  The seat, carpet, and door panels all look decades younger than their almost half-century age, and the headliner and dash also appear very well preserved.  The Mikado also added a 3-spoke steering wheel, and the column now has a small digital tachometer installed.  Given the condition inside, the claim that the 67,000 miles are original is believable here.

The Isuzu 1.8-liter engine is said to be running great, and it’s also been fitted with an aftermarket Weber carburetor, a header, and a Petronix ignition.  Everything in the bay appears orderly, and with the flip-forward hood, tune-ups and maintenance are probably a breeze here compared to more modern offerings.  This one’s also equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, which is stated to shift through the gears easily, and the clutch is also given a good bill of health.  I’m thinking this little pickup won’t have any trouble finding a new home, and the seller is also accepting offers, in case you’re finding the asking price a bit steep.  What’s a fair price to pay for this 1980 Chevrolet LUV Mikado Sport truck?