Since the reign of the Glamour Pickup trucks, Chevrolet continued as the automobile industry’s leading manufacturer of pickup trucks. As Chevrolet became part of General Motor’s wings, it also shared the same glorious years with the latter’s being the world’s largest corporation and dominant force in the American car and truck markets.

 

LUV or Luxury Utility Vehicle was rated a half-ton four-cylinder mini pickup. As was imported from Isuzu, it went on sale in March of 1972 in selected Chevrolet dealer stores and firms. Critics claim LUV pickup’s being too conventional. Too often enough, the LUV pickup is being compared to be quite similar with that of Ford’s entry. In terms of engineering, LUV pickup possesses a wheelbase measuring 102.4 inches, 14-inches wheels wrapped in bias-ply tires, an engine of an SOHC inline four displacing 1.8 liters at 75 horsepower.

 

The LUV pickup may be seen to be ordinary, yet its extreme ordinariness became its gateway towards being a Chevrolet bestseller. Due to the firm’s aim of bringing in better performance out of the LUV pickup, several revisions have been adopted through the years. In 1973, four headlights had been slightly reshaped. In 1974, the truck’s tail lamps were relocated from the rear bumper to the fenders and were aligned vertically. A new trim package had been adopted as well. These innovations were carried on till 1975. For 1976, a three-speed automatic transmission came to be available together with the front disc brakes, and revised trims.

 

Then, in the year 1977, a new bed-less chassis cab version was offered. Several other changes were given way for the other years to come. Moreover, the LUV pickup would always linger as one of the masterpieces of the 80s. As a new LUV comes into the scene, this time it would not be under the name of Chevy but would be sold under Isuzu’s brand name.