This LUV stands out from its peers with its striking combination of stance, wheels, tires, exhaust cutouts and custom rear bumper. Built by German artist Alex Bloch in his signature cartoon-like fashion.
This second-generation Chevy LUV was produced for two years (1981 and 1982) before General Motors decided to develop their own domestic compact truck platform.
Victorian Era
The Victorian Era was an eventful period, featuring social reforms, industrial expansion, scientific discoveries that transformed human understanding, an incredible shipping boom with Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin leading it, Jack the Ripper being notorious and violent war between Russia and Britain raging simultaneously; all this while Queen Victoria herself reigned supreme. At that same time, small pickup trucks became more widely utilized.
GM recognized this trend and purchased an ownership stake in Isuzu. By 1972, the Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) made its debut. Rebadged from Isuzu’s Faster model, this product took advantage of an expanding segment in the market by being designed as an LUV.
Chevy sold over half a million of these small trucks through 1982, an amazing achievement when considering that initially many saw them as something of a joke (real men were unlikely to use an “LUV”)! These little cars featured solid rear axle on leaf springs with unequal length A-arms up front for improved handling; drum brakes all around; and an astounding 102.4-inch wheelbase.
This LUV found on Facebook Marketplace in Yukon, Oklahoma is a second generation LUV and boasts four-wheel drive as a feature. However, don’t mistake this truck as some dull work truck: its unique stance and wheels, exhaust cutouts and missing rear bumper all indicate otherwise – this vehicle could transport mulch or pine needles as easily as it has track and show potential!
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau, with its graceful lines and curvy forms, is one of the world’s most beloved styles; yet its widespread adoption often obscures its deep historical roots. Through showcasing artists such as Mucha, Gaudi, Klimt and Horta this book brings one of history’s most celebrated movements into sharp focus.
At the close of the 19th century, Japanese wood-block prints became immensely popular across Europe and inspired designers to move away from Victorian floral and bulbous forms and their overcrowded compositions. These new organic designs often became known as Art Nouveau; however their precise names varied according to country: Stile Floreal in France; Paling Stijl in Netherlands and Wellenstil and Lilienstil in Germany are just some examples.
The LUV was first released for sale in March 1972 and remained relatively unchanged through 1974 when sales reached 21,049. For 1975, however, mild restyling included an optional four-wheel drive option and front disc brakes; by 1979, its sales had reached their peak of 100,192 and earned Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award.
Chevrolet began work on their own domestic compact pickup shortly after releasing the LUV, with plans to introduce it in 1981. Essentially it was based on Isuzu Faster II with some exterior and interior modifications.
Modernism
Detroit automakers experienced a welcome relief when the first LUVs hit showrooms in 1973. At that point, most light pickup trucks had been utilitarian vehicles aimed at buyers needing to haul heavy loads for work. Chevrolet El Camino and Ford F-Series helped set this trend by combining truck utility with car styling – creating unique models which appealed both work and play.
The LUV offered an economical and maneuverable alternative to these models and was an instantaneous hit. Sales reached their highest mark in 1979 before Chevy dropped promotion efforts for this truck resulting in production dropping to under 100,000 units by 1982 (but the Isuzu Faster nameplate continued globally until 1987). The second-generation LUV only lived two years (1981 and 1982), although Isuzu Fasters continued their market existence until 1987.
Carl, owner of this 1977 Isuzu-branded Chevy LUV seen on Bring a Trailer, doesn’t shy away from taking his Luvzilla out for some excitement. He built a custom chassis to accommodate 19-inch Weld wheels that wouldn’t normally fit, as well as pair of Nitto NT01 DOT-compliant race tires which have since proven themselves on twisty Southern California roads and racetracks that Luvzilla frequents – showing off his truck to friends along the way!