Difference between revisions of "Chevrolet LUV"

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{{Infobox Automobile
[[Image:Chevrolet LUV ver2.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Chevrolet LUV Truck.]]
| name          = Chevrolet Biscayne
The '''[[Chevrolet]] LUV''' (LUV stands for '''Light Utility Vehicle''') was a rebadged [[Isuzu KB]] [[light truck]].  Sales began in the USA in March 1972 as a response to the [[Toyota Hi-Lux]] and the [[Datsun]] pickup, as well as [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]'s [[Mazda]]-built [[Ford Courier|Courier]].  The LUV was replaced in the United States by the US-built [[Chevrolet S-10]] after 1982.
| image          = [[Image:1957 Chevrolet Biscayne State Car.JPG|250px|Former Irish government RHD '58 Chevrolet Biscayne state car.]]
| manufacturer  = [[Chevrolet]]
| parent_company = [[General Motors]]
| production    = 1958-1972 (U.S.)
| predecessor    = [[Chevrolet 210]]
| class          = [[Full-size]]
| body_style    = 2-door Sedan from 1958-1969, 4-door sedan from 1958-1972, station wagon, from 1962-1968.
| related        = [[Chevrolet Impala]]


}}
The LUV used a traditional truck chassis with a ladder frame and a [[leaf spring]]/[[live axle]] rear suspension.  In front, an [[independent suspension]] used [[a-arm suspension|a-arms]].  The 102.4 in (2.6 m) wheelbase was similar to its competitors, as was the six-foot (1.8 m) bed.  The only engine was a 1.8 L [[SOHC]] [[straight-4]] which produced 75 hp (56 kW).


The '''Chevrolet Biscayne''' was a series of [[automobile]] produced by [[Chevrolet]] for [[model year]]s 1958 through 1972.
The LUV's exterior was updated slightly for 1974, but the first real refresh came in 1976.  A 3-speed [[automatic transmission]] and front [[disc brake]]s were added that year.  Power was up to 80 hp (60 kW) for 1977, and sales continued to rise.  An exterior refresh and the addition of a 7.5 ft (2.3 m) bed option, with 117.9 in (3 m) wheelbase, brought sales up in 1978 to 71,145.


==History==
The addition of [[four wheel drive]] in 1979 brought the LUV to the attention of ''[[Motor Trend]]'' magazine, which awarded it their second [[Motor Trend Car of the Year|Truck of the Year]] award. Sales peaked at 100,192.
Named after a show car displayed at the 1955 General Motors Motorama, the Biscayne was the least expensive model in the Chevrolet full-size car range (except in 1958), which also included the [[Chevrolet Delray|Delray]], [[Chevrolet Bel Air|Bel Air]], [[Chevrolet Impala|Impala]] and [[Chevrolet Caprice|Caprice]]. At its inception for the 1958 model year, the Biscayne was available as a 2 or 4 door pillared sedan. A Biscayne station wagon was available from 1962-68. The station wagon models used a different series of names than the other models from 1958-61, and again from 1969-72. The 2-door sedan was dropped after 1969, and consequently from 1970-72 the only Biscayne model available was a 4-door sedan.  


Biscaynes were produced primarily for the fleet market, though they were also available to the general public — particularly to those who wanted low-cost, [[no-frills]] transportation with the convenience, room and power of a full-size automobile. While most Biscaynes were sold with a six-cylinder engine through the late 1960s, the [[V8]] engine became the more popular powerplant by the early 1970s.<sup>[[#Footnotes|1]]</sup>. [[Power steering]] and power brakes were made standard in 1970, while the TurboHydramatic transmission was standard on all cars ordered with a V8 engine starting midway through the 1971 model year.
The truck was redesigned for 1981 with the wheelbase stretched by 1.9&nbsp;in (48 mm) to 104.3&nbsp;in (2.6 m).  The gas engine remained the same but the LUV was now available with an Isuzu C223 diesel engine making 58 hp (43&nbsp;kW) @ 4300 rpm and 93 ft·lbf (126.1 Nm) @ 2200 rpm. This new engine gave the 2WD diesel LUV a fuel economy rating of 33 city / 44 hwy making it one of the most economical trucks ever built. This engine is also renowned for its reliability; many LUV trucks of this vintage have achieved over 500,000 miles before requiring a rebuild. Chevrolet stopped selling the LUV in the USA after 1982 in favor of their own [[Chevrolet S-10|S-10]] compact pickup, but Isuzu picked up sales in the US as the [[Isuzu Pup]] that same year.  


Like the slightly upscale Bel Air, Biscaynes were easily identified by the use of two taillights per side; the only exceptions to this were in 1959 and 1972. The more expensive Impala (and later Caprice) had three taillights per side. The Biscayne was largely devoid of exterior chrome trim and was normally fitted with small hubcaps, though several exterior trim pieces and upgraded wheel covers were available at extra cost. Interior trim was spartan, with lower-grade cloth and vinyl or all-vinyl upholstery trim, a standard steering wheel with center horn button, and rubber floor mats. Slight upgrades were made throughout the life of the series — for instance, the 1964 models came standard with deluxe steering wheel with horn ring, deep-twist carpeting and foam-cushioned front seats.
== Today ==


Many of the luxury convenience options available on the more expensive full-sized Chevrolet models, such as [[power windows]], were not available on the Biscayne. However, customers could purchase a Biscayne with any of Chevrolet's high-output [[Chevrolet Big-Block engine|big-block]] V8 engines and performance-oriented transmissions, including the floor-mounted 4-speed [[manual transmission]] with Hurst shifter and low-ratio final drive. Original production numbers of cars built this way were very low, and examples of these high-performance cars are highly sought after by collectors today. Notably, Baldwin Chevrolet of Long Island, New York, became famous for offering the "Street Racer Special," a 1968 Biscayne coupe with dealer-fitted high-performance 427 cubic-inch V8, and heavy-duty suspension components, turning the Biscayne into a serious drag car.
The LUV name is still used today on [[badge-engineered]] versions of the [[Isuzu D-Max]]. That version was also sold unofficially in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] as an alternative to the domestic [[Isuzu]] Rodeo in pickup and commercial vehicles dealers.


However, the absence of most exterior and fancy interior trimmings remained through the life of the series, as the slightly costlier [[Chevrolet Bel Air]] offered more interior and exterior trimmings at a price still significantly lower than the mid-line [[Chevrolet Impala]].
As of recently the LUV is one of the many vehicles that the Iraqi Government has purchased for use in the various local and national police forces.


===Biscayne Fleetmaster===
== South American Production as Chevrolet LUV ==
In 1960, a lower-priced, sparsely trimmed version of the Biscayne called the Fleetmaster was produced. Aimed primarily at the fleet market, the Fleetmaster included a lower grade of upholstery than the standard Biscayne and deleted routine convenience items such as a [[cigarette lighter]], door armrests, and passenger-side sun visor. In addition, many parts were painted rather than [[Chrome plating|chrome plated]]. Both two- and four-door sedans were available.


A number of economy-minded options were available exclusive to the Fleetmaster model, although the performance-oriented engines and transmissions were also available (for police applications or performance-oriented customers who wanted the lightest car possible), The Fleetmaster was dropped after 1961.
This Isuzu pick-up was also made in '''Chile''' from Japanese [[Complete knock down|CKD]] sets in Chevrolet's plant in '''Arica''' from 1980 <ref>http://media.gm.com/cl/chevrolet/es/company/</ref> to October, 2005 (replaced with LUV D-Max). At the start, the versions assembled were the K-26 and K-28. In 1988 came the TF model, which reached a 40% of domestic parts, and was exported successfully to Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, México, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia and Venezuela, from 1993. In total, more than 220.000 units were produced.


===End of the model===
By the late 1980 it was assembled in '''Bogotá''', '''Colombia''' by [[Colmotores]] <ref>http://www.carrosyclasicos.com/nuke/contenido.php?sid=238</ref>. That meant the introduction of the light pickup truck in the Colombian market, in a package that included a 1.600 c.c., 4 cylinder engine, making in 80 hp, that can carry up to 1 Ton of cargo.
Production of the Biscayne for the United States market ended in 1972. However, the Biscayne name survived in [[Canada]] through the 1975 model year, with a 350 cubic-inch V8 engine and TurboHydramatic transmission made standard in 1974.


==Footnotes==
In 1999 [[Thai Rung Union Car]] from '''Thailand''' supplied the Chevrolet plant in [[Arica]], [[Chile]] body parts of their Grand Adventure model to make the Chevrolet Luv Wagon and the Grand Luv, sold with little success.
*<sup>1</sup> A total of 76,800 Biscaynes were equipped with V8 engines compared to 16,700 six cylinder engine models years 1970, 1971 and 1972. Biscayne engine distribution (V8/I6) 23,100/12,300 (1970); 34,700/2,900 (1971); and 19,000/1,500 (1972), or one six cylinder power Biscayne for every 4.5 V8 cars produced. (Gunnell)


== References ==
==Criticisms==
* {{cite book | author = Gunnell, John, Editor | title = The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 | publisher = Kraus Publications | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-87341-096-3}}
* {{Harvard reference | Surname=Biel | Given=John | Authorlink=John Biel| Title=A Glass Half Full: The Story of the 1958 Chevrolet | Journal=Collectible Automobile| Volume=21 | Issue=6 | Year=2005| Pages=8-23 | URL=http://auto.consumerguide.com/product/collectible/index.cfm }}.


{{Chevrolet Vehicles}}
While the trucks had reliable and well built (albeit underpowered) drive trains, the Luvs had serious rusting problems. In the last years of production almost half of the trucks that were shipped on boats to the United States from South America were found with rusted frames on arrival due to salt water corrosion. It is not unusual to find a high mileage Luv that has a drive train in perfect working order, but some to have a frame broken in half from rust.


[[Category:Chevrolet vehicles|Biscayne]]
==References==
[[Category:Coupes]]
*{{cite web | title=Chevrolet LUV, S-10 and Colorado | work=Edmunds.com | url=http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/generations/articles/104456/article.html | accessmonthday=March 25 | accessyear=2005}}
[[Category:Full-size vehicles]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:1950s automobiles]]
[[Category:1960s automobiles]]
[[Category:1970s automobiles]]
[[Category:Goods manufactured in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian automobiles]]


[[de:Chevrolet Biscayne]]
*{{cite web | title=1982 Fuel Economy Guide Data Files | work=www.epa.gov | url=http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fedata.htm | accessmonthday=May 26 | accessyear=2006}}
[[lt:Chevrolet Biscayne]]
 
[[ro:Chevrolet Biscayne]]
*{{cite web | title=LuvTruck.com  | url=http://www.luvtruck.com}}
[[ru:Chevrolet Biscayne]]
 
*{{cite web | title=Chevy Luv Cafe (Erik Mokracek's Chevy Luv Pickup Truck Group) | url=http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ChevyLuvCafe | accessdate=June 24 | accessyear=2007}}
{{reflist}}
 
{{Early Chevrolet Trucks}}
{{Chevrolet Truck}}
 
[[Category:Chevrolet vehicles|LUV]]
[[Category:Pickup trucks]]

Latest revision as of 23:01, 9 February 2009

Chevrolet LUV Truck.

The Chevrolet LUV (LUV stands for Light Utility Vehicle) was a rebadged Isuzu KB light truck. Sales began in the USA in March 1972 as a response to the Toyota Hi-Lux and the Datsun pickup, as well as Ford's Mazda-built Courier. The LUV was replaced in the United States by the US-built Chevrolet S-10 after 1982.

The LUV used a traditional truck chassis with a ladder frame and a leaf spring/live axle rear suspension. In front, an independent suspension used a-arms. The 102.4 in (2.6 m) wheelbase was similar to its competitors, as was the six-foot (1.8 m) bed. The only engine was a 1.8 L SOHC straight-4 which produced 75 hp (56 kW).

The LUV's exterior was updated slightly for 1974, but the first real refresh came in 1976. A 3-speed automatic transmission and front disc brakes were added that year. Power was up to 80 hp (60 kW) for 1977, and sales continued to rise. An exterior refresh and the addition of a 7.5 ft (2.3 m) bed option, with 117.9 in (3 m) wheelbase, brought sales up in 1978 to 71,145.

The addition of four wheel drive in 1979 brought the LUV to the attention of Motor Trend magazine, which awarded it their second Truck of the Year award. Sales peaked at 100,192.

The truck was redesigned for 1981 with the wheelbase stretched by 1.9 in (48 mm) to 104.3 in (2.6 m). The gas engine remained the same but the LUV was now available with an Isuzu C223 diesel engine making 58 hp (43 kW) @ 4300 rpm and 93 ft·lbf (126.1 Nm) @ 2200 rpm. This new engine gave the 2WD diesel LUV a fuel economy rating of 33 city / 44 hwy making it one of the most economical trucks ever built. This engine is also renowned for its reliability; many LUV trucks of this vintage have achieved over 500,000 miles before requiring a rebuild. Chevrolet stopped selling the LUV in the USA after 1982 in favor of their own S-10 compact pickup, but Isuzu picked up sales in the US as the Isuzu Pup that same year.

Today

The LUV name is still used today on badge-engineered versions of the Isuzu D-Max. That version was also sold unofficially in the UK as an alternative to the domestic Isuzu Rodeo in pickup and commercial vehicles dealers.

As of recently the LUV is one of the many vehicles that the Iraqi Government has purchased for use in the various local and national police forces.

South American Production as Chevrolet LUV

This Isuzu pick-up was also made in Chile from Japanese CKD sets in Chevrolet's plant in Arica from 1980 [1] to October, 2005 (replaced with LUV D-Max). At the start, the versions assembled were the K-26 and K-28. In 1988 came the TF model, which reached a 40% of domestic parts, and was exported successfully to Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, México, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia and Venezuela, from 1993. In total, more than 220.000 units were produced.

By the late 1980 it was assembled in Bogotá, Colombia by Colmotores [2]. That meant the introduction of the light pickup truck in the Colombian market, in a package that included a 1.600 c.c., 4 cylinder engine, making in 80 hp, that can carry up to 1 Ton of cargo.

In 1999 Thai Rung Union Car from Thailand supplied the Chevrolet plant in Arica, Chile body parts of their Grand Adventure model to make the Chevrolet Luv Wagon and the Grand Luv, sold with little success.

Criticisms

While the trucks had reliable and well built (albeit underpowered) drive trains, the Luvs had serious rusting problems. In the last years of production almost half of the trucks that were shipped on boats to the United States from South America were found with rusted frames on arrival due to salt water corrosion. It is not unusual to find a high mileage Luv that has a drive train in perfect working order, but some to have a frame broken in half from rust.

References

  1. ↑ http://media.gm.com/cl/chevrolet/es/company/
  2. ↑ http://www.carrosyclasicos.com/nuke/contenido.php?sid=238
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