The Chevrolet Luv pickup certainly has its fans, as its compact dimensions and humble powerplant made it a sensible choice for drivers who needed the convenience of a pickup and the efficiency of an economy car. The Luv shown here is one of two trucks apparently sitting on an Indiana farm that the seller’s aunt bought new. This Luv has plenty of rust, but not as much as the other one that’s for sale, and is a “Mikado” model that came with its own brand of cosmetic dress-up. Find this tired Luv here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $1,650 and the option to submit a best offer.
I’ve always liked the Luv and thought once or twice about buying its primary rival, the Ford Courier, as a project. However, there are numerous choices of vintage compact pickups out there, and it’s hard to look past the convenience of something like a Ford Ranger that still has robust parts availability and decent factory support for spare parts. No matter what your flavor of compact pickup is, this rusty Luv is a tough sell for justifying a rescue given there are still a fair number of rust-free project trucks out there on a fairly consistent basis.
You hate to see a one-owner truck get kicked to the scrap pile, but this sort of rust may be too great to overcome for the average hobbyist. The rust appears to be attacking the rockers pretty dramatically, and surface rust pockmarks the truck pretty much everywhere. The seller notes it has been parked for 15 years which isn’t a death sentence for a truck like this as the engines were generally robust, but it’s still going to be a major undertaking to get it to fire up once again. If it were me, I’d use it as a farm truck or otherwise non-road use vehicle that didn’t need to pass inspection.
The interior is all there but not great. Clearly, this Luv has been used with tears in the seat fabric and cracks in the dash. Fortunately, it is a manual gearbox, as an automatic in one of these would likely be a fairly soul-sucking experience. The other Luv the seller has listed appears to have been parked in the mud and looks even rustier, if you can imagine that. The market for captive import trucks like these isn’t that large, and the asking price seems quite ambitious for a truck that is going to be a parts vehicle for whoever the next owner ends up being. Did you ever own a Luv like this?
Yep my 79 rusted in half.
American car companies and their “captive imports” in those days. Chevy LUV = Isuzu PUP. Ford Courier = Mazda B series pickup. The latter was probably a better truck.
Dont forget the Dodge D50 that was a Mitsubishi.
On the East coast these and the Couriers didn’t last long enough to judge which was a better truck ; they both rusted horribly, and both truck frames used to rot away and break between the cab and bed where the water would drip down on them when it rained. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one has the same issue. If you really had to have one of these the smart thing would be to look for one in Arizona or somewhere like that.
In today’s market I would try what this seller is doing its worth a shot but I would change the account to bidding and see what happens if you get over $200 bucks you beat scrap price and you don’t have to haul it
$1650! Really! $350…maybe…if it was running. Yuck.
I have wanted one of these for years…. just not this particular one.
My high school buddy’s brother had a long box LUV and it looked so cool w/ the slightly upsized tires he had on the back (circa 1985). He used to bomb around with it, rowing through the gears like it was a hot rod.
This thing looks rough. I wonder if the engine block has rusted through as well. The other one the seller has looks worse.
Pass.
I have a 75 LUV that has had several different small blocks in it sense 78. And still pretty solid but I never drove it in winter. wouldn’t mind it for parts but the price is too much for parts.
This Luv needs lots of Love, and maybe too late.
I have a 76 LUV that I’m currently rebuilding. It’s a short bed Mykada model with 1.8L engine 4 speed manual and a/c with moon roof. I bought it a few months ago while shopping for a 70’s small truck to restore. I have repaired many rust issues in the cab. replaced the front fenders and hood, made my own door panels, replaced the brakes and tires and have begun the paint preparation process. I ordered a new dash but it was lost in shipping and no one wants to take responsibility for that so I’m just out $301.00. The bed is in real good condition. it has 235/60r14 tires on 6 lug mag wheels. The radiator leaked at the bottom so I bought a replacement but haven’t installed it yet. These trucks don’t bring a lot of money so it’s difficult to stay below the average selling point when restoring one. I’ve got just under $4000.00 in mine including the high gloss red paint I bought. I will sell or trade it when finished for about $6,000.00. It’s a two wheel drive model. so to make any money on the one listed you have to get it for no more than a grand and then part it out. there’s a high demand for parts so parting out is the way to go.
God bless America
Had a buddy who owned one of these many years ago – was broken down on the side of the road once, somebody drove past and shouted “buy American!”. Their response “It’s a Chevy!”
Some old vehicles are best leave go and RIP
This rusted not particularly special pickup deserves that fate.
It appears to have too much rust and overall deterioration to even be made into a rat rod.
The owner should have taken advantage of the salvage yard offer the government made a few years ago
This now says sold, but they have another red one listed.
had a friend back then w/one, RainyBlackmoon. Funny thing, he wrked at the plant that made them & commuted there in it everyday.
Different paint (or decals) than this & optioned so 4WD, etc. Nuttin the same bout it cept the emblem on the fenders even tho both R Mikkado model of Light Utility Vehicle (C what I did there?)…
Luv Pickups are fun little trucks, but don’t get in to deep because they don’t have high resale value. I have tried to load an updated photo of mine. it’s a project for the pure pleasure of something to keep me busy. mine is a 76 Model 2 wheel drive with four headlight design. I have the grill, front bumper and valance in my garage waiting until I have put the finish body and paint work on it.
God Bless America