Classic pickup trucks like the Chevy LUV just exude old-school cool, but finding one that isn’t falling to pieces from use and abuse can be tricky. Now, however, this surprisingly clean 1980 Chevy LUV has been posted for sale in a new online auction.
Recently finding its way to Bring A Trailer, this particular 1980 Chevy LUV is said to have been registered to one owner since new before it was purchased by the current owner in 2021. The exterior is covered in white paint offset by orange and yellow decals, as well as a set of chrome bumpers. In the corners, we find a set of 14-inch powder-coated white wheels, while a single sideview mirror is found on the driver’s side.
Inside, red cloth and vinyl upholstery cover the single bench seat, and there’s a sliding rear window. Amenities include a push-button radio and a heater.
Motivation is derived from a 1.8L four-cylinder engine, which feeds a four-speed manual transmission and dual-range transfer case. There’s also a manually locking hub for the front axle. Front disc brakes and rear drums slow it down, while the 14-inch wheels are wrapped in 27 by 8.5-inch General Grabber A/T tires.
This 1980 Chevy LUV is definitely not perfect, as one might expect with 47,000 miles on the clock. There’s some rust on the rocker panels and tailgate, and a few dings on the hood and on the roof, plus a few cracks in the dash too. Additionally, one of the sliding rear window panels is made of plexiglass. However, the seller’s post states that some maintenance work was recently done, including new spark plugs and wires, distributor cap, anti-backfire valve, battery, and tires.
Now, this 1980 Chevy LUV is listed for sale in a new online auction, and is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The auction will end in about five days on February 1st. The current highest bid of seven placed thus far is set at $7,500.
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Comments
Always liked these little trucks and the original S10 size. I recall a guy who worked in the body shop at the Buick dealer I was at, who had a Luv or first gen S10 with a diesel. I just can’t recall which one he had, but it was blue and I remember him talking about how he was getting in the 40’s for MPG just driving around and could get over 50 on the highway. However, he didn’t really go on the highway because it was not quiet or comfortable!
Most likely the diesel truck was an Isuzu (same as Luv). My brother-in-law had one back when they were new. I don’t recall ever seeing a first gen factory S-10 with a diesel.
I am interested in buying. 1980. Check. Liv truck..
Saw your post and need your help on this pick up.
Thanks for your. Cooperation and. Concern…
My phone is 361-660-9933…..Would like to talk ASAP
When people say Chevy needs a Maverick fighter, this would be my answer. Make something like this, maybe use the old cab and a half from the last gen Colorado, keep it cheap, I’d be for a Chevy corvair layout with the engine under the bed to make awd unnecessary.
Also, remember the reason the LUV died out was people thought it was worth spending a little more for extra capability. This is part of the reason ford is holding back maverick production as they down want to overproduce and crash the segment.
These were great little trucks , like the Ford Courier, Toyota and Datsun pickups.
They were simple designs designed to work . Modern day take on this is like a Gator, or a 4 Wheeler side by side with the bed
I think the Chevy LUV came to an end with the launch of the much more refined 1982 Chevy S-10
Still hard to believe the ‘small’ truck market dried up and manufacturers just left it void.
The profits dried up and they all left the market.
It had nothing to do with money. US safety regulations is why they stopped selling compact trucks in the US. Manufacturers were required to make small trucks larger in order to sell them.
Move the wheels back a foot or so and add a back seat and additional doors and give it the last gen Volt plug in hybrid drivetrain for 25K and it would be a serious Maverick contender. could even use the LUV name.
So, turn it into another four door truck with a tiny bed?
We have enough of those, and GM doesn’t do hybrids.
This was our “field truck”. The farm I grew up working on had a silver LUV bought from the dealer to check cattle and repair fences with. The truck stayed it’s whole life sitting outside by the barn with various amounts of cow dung splashed on it which caused considerable rust over the years. It was weak to haul or tow but did what we intended it to do with ease! We used this small truck because this was a small mountain farm and nothing in comparison to the farms in size in the west. I t just went in tight places and over the steep fields better than a heavy pickup. Today, I reckon somebody would buy a side by side to do the same thing but the nice thing about this little truck was being able to run to town for supplies which it did on occasion. Our foreman drove it the most because he would go into town in the mornings and handle whatever there was and then ride the fence on the way back in. If he saw a section that needed repaired or a carcass that needed burying we then took the little truck back out to handle the job.
I guess a little truck like this today would cost $20,000 plus but that would still make more sense to me than a side by side for the same price.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
My parents had one of these, lasted over 200k, but was soooo slow, had 14″ rims and passing at any speed was sketchy – top speed downhill was 70. It was blue with identical striping and 4×4 on the hood. I have a ‘midsize’ 2020 ZR2 which is about the size of a full size truck 10 years ago – there is a huge market for a small Maverick-size truck, all major manufacturers sell them outside the US and claim they can’t make money on them here. Obviously, they don’t want to cannibalize their cash cows, but with Toyota returning to this segment and the Santa Cruz doing well, they will have no choice.
Hey a Chevy LUV… this brings back memories my uncle had one of these for a while when he had his alternator and starter rebuilding business… It was the perfect little truck to haul all the used Cooper to the scrap yard with…. This is what Chevy should build now a little truck that’s all simple! Oh and one more thing the reason why Ford is holding back Maverick production is because they don’t want to lose ranger sales to the Maverick it’s the same thing with GM a small truck like this would eat a big chunk into Colorado/Canyon profits IMO!
Basically an Isuzu pickup with a Chevy bowtie. Quicker to market.
I miss Joe Isuzu…
Hi Richard, Thanks for mentioning Isuzu, yes, 30 plus years ago on my first trip to Japan and visit to Isuzu proving grounds I came across this model. Very basic, and typical Isuzu low end product, and marketed in the Middle East, before the early S10/15 models.
Yes, I worked with Isuzu for Chevrolet in certifying this vehicle for exhaust emissions with the EPA so that this vehicle could be sold in the US.
The gov’t intrusions would cost as much as the truck today. Wasn’t there an ad campaign with a heart shape and the LUV?
Had the exact truck in black with matching capper, that was the in gas crisis years and practically had to give them custom gas guzzler van but was a great truck never let me down
I’m sure this vehicle would never be built nowadays but a nice little affordable, reliable, good gas mileage beater truck would be nice. No tech required. Today’s common options, cruise control, power windows and mirrors etc. No fancy paint or fancy interior required. Carpet optional, extended cab optional. 2 wheel drive 4 wheel drive optional. Perfect little truck for running errands, grocery getter, hauling trash, work transportation or beating around the farm/country side. O-yea, price range 20-25k
I had a light blue luv my first drive over the grape vine hwy 5 California at 35 miles an hour. When l returned home pulled the 4 banger out sold the motor and trans. Dropped at 327 4 Speed Trans a new radiator in a Ford rear end then it was the perfect truck.
On the 7h day, God created the small block Chevy…
I had a 77 yellow stepside, put lotta miles on it and it gave me good service, I was always happy with it.
Didn’t own a Luv, owned a loaded Rodeo, traded for a loaded 2 dr Blaser S-10.
Honda ended up rebadging the Rodeo as their 4×4 SUV Passport
Had no mechanical or electrical issues with the Isuzu. In fact, my 09 Colorado has Isuzu parts and design baked into the architecture.
You have it backwards, all small GM truck are re badged Isuzu trucks. The Luv, the S10, the Colorado, all of them.
Wow, I had a blue 4×4 luv identical to this white one. Great little trucks. I had two, 2 wheel drive ones befor the 4×4. Loved them all. I also purchased a new 1987 Isuzu 2wd with the 1.8ltr diesel and 5spd. You didn’t get in a hurry, no power! Drove it from VA to TX where I used it for a courier business. Got over 45mps all the time. Would love to own this white one!
GM currently builds an S10 pickup in Brazil for the South American market. Smaller than the 31XX body currently produced in Wentzville Mo.
I have a 1986 Chevy Silverado 4×4 that is mint stored in heated garage dark navy blue aluminum wheels tires all brand new 60,000 miles I want 32,000.Leave message if your interested.
maybe you should advertise it on BAT? with some photos. maybe they will post a story about it here on GMA
The LUV didn’t die for years, it continued to be sold as the Isuzu Pup. I bought one new in 89, drove it 90k miles with zero maintenence issues until T-bone by blue hair. Great truck, unrefined but reliable.
That is absolutely my dream truck! A mikaado 4×4
I was just thinking of my little Chevy Luv last night. Mine was a light blue with the 4×4 decals and stripes in dark blue. My first husband was to big for it, so I had to trade it in. Should have kept the Luv and got rid of him first! I loved that little truck!
Step one: make a decent product
Step two: engage in a venture with GM
Step three: wonder what happened to your company
Very good pickup.I had one of this series which ended in 1980.Traded it for same pickup in new series,4×4,in yellow,which ran through 1886 when cab was changed again.Still have it with over 300K.Drivetrain,except engine,never touched and it has worked extremely hard.These pickups were offered in diesel or gas and built entirely by Isuzu in Japan.They sold the 3rd series in US alongside the s-10 and built and sold them across South America in single cab,extra cab,and 4-door versions but never the 4-door in US.Bad mistake because they are incredibly tough and durable.The current version is still made and sold in Asia and Australia and is a top seller,out selling Toyota in some countries.And they will pull.Many years mine was used to haul 18K cotton trailers out of the field for farm to gin.Almost unbelievable but it would do it.
When I lived in Fairbanks, AK for a few years. I drove a 1979 Chevy Luv, Baby Blue, and at -65 below zero. It was a cold, frozen, heartless and miserable experience. However, I never complained about it. She always started, ran as well as any other vehicle in those conditions. During the simmer she got me to Kenai and back twice a month for fishing season. I would purchase another one if Chevy would bring them back. That little truck wad my money maker. Sure, I couldn’t carry large loads and had to make several trips. But I would finish the job and was usually paid a little extra for the extra effort. I really enjoyed my time with the Luv. Sadly, late one night she lost a battle with a moose in heavy ice fog. Totally broke my heart when I laid her to rest in the junk yard. She served me well over the years and it was a sad day when I was able to see what remained after the collision with the moose.
I wish GM would read these comments and design another truck like the LUV… just a more modern version. People clearly like this size truck it’s small enough to park in tight spaces yet it still has a small bed to haul stuff. My point is the Colorado/Canyon are fine trucks but they keep growing in size what started out as S10 size now is almost as big as a Silverado/Sierra… Not everyone needs or wants this big of a truck… LISTEN GM! I quote “Build it and they will come”!
Had a 79. Red/ Orange, same decals. Wasn’t fast, but boy could she climb the old mining trails in my neck of the woods/ mountains. Could go places that large trucks couldn’t. Tough little truck. Like most first vehicles, I abused her, and she kept going… Bill ( NY)
I Luv’d those trucks!
My last one was a Mikado, I put a Oldsmobile 455 big block engine with fwd transmission from a Tornado in the bed, making about 600hp. Was a real fun ride! I made dually fenders to cover the wide tires and lowered it. 2 radiators with electric fans under the hood. Still see small block Luv’s at the drag strip.
I bought a 1980 LUV Mikado. By 1990 there were very few parts available to buy. Hate to think what’s available today.
What a novelty and a pretty little survivor. The Chevy LUV came up in a discussion when our plant’s quality boss was hosting a talk with regard to paint adhesion, the EPA and our new phosphate plater. I wish I could recall the context for Mr. Mannion remarking on that LUV truck.