Chevrolet got into the compact truck market in 1972 with the LUV (Light Utility Vehicle), a rebadged Isuzu Faster from Japan. It did its job until a decade later, when the GM division decided to build its own in the U.S., the S-10 (followed by the Colorado). These trucks were for lighter jobs and powered by inline-4s. This one from 1974 has been upgraded with a 383 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission. From Oroville, California, this running work-in-progress is available here on craigslist for $6,200. A nifty tip brought to us again by Tony Primo!
The payload of the LUV was about 1,200 lbs., which should have been ample given its smaller size and the amount of space in the bed. Typical LUVs had a 1.8-liter 4-banger with a 4-speed manual, and we assume that’s what was extracted from this truck a few months ago. It now sports a 383, which we assume was donated from a Chrysler product. It’s been rebuilt, and the TH-350 tranny is from GM and the rear-end from Ford. So, you could say this really is an international vehicle.
Rebuilt last year, the 383 has lots of performance goodies like the camshaft, pistons, intake manifold, carburetor, and more. And the engine is from the pre-smog era in CA, which may make the engine itself older than the pickup. The seller estimates the motor produces at least one horse per cube. The tires are either new or almost new.
The interior has been redone, at least in terms of the upholstery and door panels. And it has an aftermarket stereo for cruising. The body is probably where the remaining work lies, as the right front fender is crinkled (and has rust), and the yellow paint below the belt looks newer than what’s inside the bed, which at least has surface rust. If you’re looking for a good project to finish off to your liking, what about this hot truck?
It’s a 383 Chevy stroker w/turbo hydro
Wow, this must be a screamer on the street. Seems like a good price for this toy, but a little scary when you adopt a mutt…
I agree with Ed, a big block Mopar won’t bolt up to a GM turbo 350 tranny. Gotta be a Chevy 383 stroker 👍
This is a small block Chevy, not Mopar 383. The quickest way to determine which engine you are looking at is the position of the distributor, Mopar in front, Chevy in the back.
This may not be perfect, but the seller isn’t asking a lot of money. This would be a lot of fun per dollar spent.
Steve R
Dude a Chrysler 383 😂😂😂
9 inch spool rear!? That will be fun.
These had the best styling of any small truck and were well made. My dad bought one which was the Mikado version -lime green with plaid interior. He was getting up in years then and referred to it as the “Mac-adoo”
With that spool it will turn like a locked up 4×4 but with the right tires be a fun straightliner.
It certainly would be fun, but that Grant steering wheel, ratchet shifter, and headlights would have to go…
Hard to drive in the dark without them…
What a fun toy to get myself into trouble appears to be nicely done no mention of what if anything they did to strengthen the frame for the extra torque when I was 18 we dropped a 350 into a Datsun truck and learned the hard way about the not strengthening the frame and adding disk brakes to the front
Gee Russ, you really need to brush up on your small-block Chevys.
Chevy 350, bored .030″ over+ Chevy 400 crank= 383 cubic inches.
A V8 powered Chevy LUV? Unless the front suspension has been reinforced to withstand the heavy weight of the engine, I fail to see how. I can imagine a V6 engine under the bonnet (hood).
The LUV has a torsion bar front suspension. The added weight of the SBC is easily compensated for by cranking some more torque in the torque tube. Then it was common to narrow a 9″ rear end by cutting down one axle side and centering the pumpkin – super truck. Back in the day, putting a V8 in a Vega or a LUV was a well known formula. :-) Terry J
All of the Japanese mini trucks had very stout frames and suspensions. In order of robustness of my experience meter. Top to bottom. Mazda, Toyota, Nissan and LUV. With Nissan and the LUV almost a tie. I have been brutal with Mazda trucks. (Vintage prior to Ford involvement) both with engine swaps and driving, abusing, jumping and actually landing one from a high jump to land squarely on it’s nose not knowing if it was going to go over on it’s roof or back down on its wheels. (It seemed like it was hours before it tilted back on its wheels. Hanging by your seat belts. ) And I have never seen a frame flex or bend. Also, rear differentials although pretty stout tend to be replaced by something that is not very high numerically. Most are good for about 250 horsepower as long as not accompanied with really sticky tires and speed shifts.
I just don’t get it. A V8. In this
LOL. It’s called “a favorable power to weight ratio”. Back in the 50s & 60s it was a British Anglia or an Italian Fiat Topolino or maybe a Willys coupe. Same formula. Take a small cheap rig, stuff in the biggest possible engine and go out trolling. :-) Terry J
Why? Because you can! Not that I would, but you know…butts, seats, etc.
You can tell this is a 400 cubic inch Chevy motor by the Siamese middle cylinders…then you put a 350 cubic inch Chevy crank in the 400 motor…makes it a 383 Chevy. Then whatever else you do is extra. The 400 cubic inch Chevy motor had torque like a big block but would rev lots higher. I like Barn Finds and I think this is a good job the staff does and I am grateful for them. I think it’s sad that lots of people these days wanna point out a mistake instead of enjoying the cars on here. Thanks Barn Finds and all the staff for what you do.
Most 383’s started using aftermarket kits years ago, 400 cranks were getting hard to find and companies like SCAT, Eagle and others stepped in to fill that void with complete bottom end kits (crank, rods, pistons and bearings). That’s when the Chevy 383 really took off in popularity.
Steve R
Putting a 350 crank in a 400 block gives you a 377 CID motor.
Plus .030 over bore makes it 383 ci.
Hi Wayne,
Not quite.
350 crankshaft/400 block/standard bore = 372 cid.
350 crankshaft/400 block/0.030 overbore = 377 cid.
Thanks,
Matt
At first glance how to tell different between a Chevy 383 and Mopar 383. The distributor in the back is it Chevy. The distributor right side front is a Mopar. So this Luv truck really hauls the hay!! 😂😂
Rainy Blackmoon had the Mikado model. Said they made them @ the Framingham Plant (where he worked), but it might not check out. It was a lill sporty/lux… 5 speed (i think), 4WD, extra ‘trims’, etc. Long time ago (50 yrs?)
We puda small block/AOD ina ’83 ranger