1972 Chevrolet LUV

Description

For fans of the "dare to be different" movement, this 1972 Chevy LUV pickup definitely dares to be different. With extensive body mods all aimed at making the most of the 468-inch big block up front, it's a cool little pickup that carries a big bowtie stick.

The list of body modifications is extensive, some of them practical and some purely for style points, but we'll cover most of them here. Obviously the top has been chopped, and that's purely for style. Well, OK, maybe it helps with aerodynamics, too, and in a truck that runs 7.20s @ 94 MPH in the eighth-mile, well, it's probably important. The front end was lengthened 12 inches, ostensibly to allow that big block to fit where a puny 4-cylinder once lived and while they were at it, they pushed the cab back another two inches to help with weight distribution. The bed was tubbed and bobbed, giving the truck a compact, muscular look, and yeah, you can say with confidence that this truck's working days are well and truly over. I particularly like how the profile of the cowl-induction hood matches the shape of the cab when viewed from the side; surely that's no accident, and the scorching red paint with white stripes is anything but subtle. If nothing else, this little hauler looks fast just sitting still.

Given the truck's performance capabilities and modifications, you wouldn't expect such a civilized interior. A black cloth bench seat is probably original with fresh upholstery and the original dash is still in place, albeit a bit modified for combat duty. A leather-wrapped wheel might very well be the original piece, and those are the factory gauges in front of it, but that's about it in terms of OEM equipment inside. A big Auto Meter tach and shift light are perched up top, with auxiliary gauges in a custom aluminum panel replacing the radio and climate controls. Aluminum pedals and a Hurst Quarter-Stick shifter add to the race-ready vibe, but this truck really is street-legal and fairly docile on the road. You just have to adjust your expectations and realize that it's really, really fast.

The reason for that is the 468 cubic inch big block Chevy under the hood. Professionally built and full of the good stuff, there's no secret about where the money went. A steel crank and rods, a massive Comp Cams camshaft with .596 inches of lift, and a Holley Strip Dominator intake and 750 CFM Demon carburetor mean that it gets pretty serious the minute you crack the throttle. It's nicely finished in that race car way, with a big aluminum radiator and a minimum of flash under the hood, although chrome valve covers are a nice touch. Long tube headers dump into a set of side pipes that sound like a big block 'Vette on steroids, and the slick-shifting TH350 3-speed automatic is fortified with a 3200 RPM stall converter. Built to withstand the abuse, the 12-bolt rear has 4.11 gears, Ford 33-spline axles, and a 4-link setup to plant the power. Massive Mickey Thompson cheater slicks (32x17.50-15) live on polished Weld Pro-Star wheels with skinny 165R15s up front.

Yeah, it's a little different, but different gets you noticed. When it's also fast, well, people definitely learn to respect the hardware. Lots of fast fun for a fraction of the build cost. Call today!