What engine is in a 1979 Chevy LUV?
The 1979 Chevrolet LUV was equipped with an Isuzu-sourced 1.8-liter inline-four gasoline engine, typically paired with a four-speed manual transmission. It was GM’s badge-engineered version of Isuzu’s Faster pickup, sold in the U.S. market during the late 1970s.
Engine makeup and sourcing
The drivetrain for the 1979 LUV relied on an Isuzu-built 1.8-liter inline-four gasoline engine, produced under GM’s badge-engineering collaboration with Isuzu. The LUV itself was the U.S. market variant of Isuzu’s Faster/Forward pickup platform, adapted for Chevrolet buyers.
Key specifications for the engine include:
- Displacement: 1.8 liters (approximately 1,792 cc)
- Configuration: Inline-four gasoline engine
- Source: Isuzu, used under GM badge engineering
- Typical drivetrain pairing: 4-speed manual transmission (with automatic option in some markets)
- Markets: U.S. and export variants; U.S. models generally used the 1.8 L gasoline engine in 1979
Power and performance figures from the era were modest, reflecting the truck’s role as a simple, economical light utility vehicle rather than a high-performance model. The engine emphasized reliability and efficiency over outright speed.
Context and variations
The 1979 LUV’s engine was part of a broader GM-Isuzu collaboration that produced a line of small pickups based on the Isuzu Faster. In some export markets, other Isuzu-built engines were offered, including larger-displacement gasoline options in later years, but the 1979 U.S.-spec LUV most commonly used the 1.8-liter engine.
Summary
The 1979 Chevy LUV was powered by a 1.8-liter Isuzu inline-four gasoline engine, reflecting GM's badge-engineering strategy of the era. This setup provided dependable, economical performance for a compact pickup and helped the LUV carve out a niche in the late 1970s U.S. market.
