1980 Car and Driver Mini-Truck Comparison

[Carlitos_92]

I saw this today and thought it was interesting. Seems like the "tiny truck" market once had a lot more competition in it...

Chevrolet LUV
Datsun King Cab
Ford Courier
Mazda B2000 Sundowner Sport
Plymouth Arrow Sport
Toyota SR5
Volkswagen pickup

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a42859506/1980-mini-trucks-compared/

Sponsored

 

[The Real Maverick]

I saw a 1980 ish LUV on the road the other day.

Maverick was a giant in comparison.

Saw a not too old Ranger. Maybe a 200X. Maverick was larger.

Saw a not too old 201X F-150 standard cab that was lowered. Was about the same size as my Maverick.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

IIRC, the rear bumper was an option on the Courier when I bought it. Although mine had 3 pedals,,,,,

HRG

 

[Carlitos_92]

I saw a 1980 ish LUV on the road the other day.

Maverick was a giant in comparison.

Saw a not too old Ranger. Maybe a 200X. Maverick was larger.

Saw a not too old 201X F-150 standard cab that was lowered. Was about the same size as my Maverick.

Yup, the Maverick's wheelbase actually exceeds the wheelbase on the '97 F-150 standard cab I had.

 

[1929]

I saw this today and thought it was interesting. Seems like the "tiny truck" market once had a lot more competition in it...

Chevrolet LUV
Datsun King Cab
Ford Courier
Mazda B2000 Sundowner Sport
Plymouth Arrow Sport
Toyota SR5
Volkswagen pickup

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a42859506/1980-mini-trucks-compared/

For you it's a history lesson, For me it's my history. So many years ago I owned a light blue Ford Courier longbed. 4 speed. Dealer installed AC. (if you turned on the AC the truck had about as much acceleration as a modern riding lawnmower. )

 

[tellyouwhat]

cool article, thanks. I learned to drive on a 1983 Toyota SR5. So slow, so basic, so dependable. pops still has it

 

[The Cyber Orange Guy.]

 

[The Cyber Orange Guy.]

80 hp y 1600lbs of payload ?

How come we have 3x times that but our payload is so close ?

Is the chassis strength or what ?

 

[The Real Maverick]

This is why I laugh at people who say the hybrids can't / shouldn't tow.

Even the Hybrid is leaps and bounds better than the small trucks mentioned here.

 

[The Real Maverick]

The trucks themselves were ~ 1000 lbs lighter too.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

This is why I laugh at people who say the hybrids can't / shouldn't tow.

Certainly, these values were before the SAE J2807 tow standard was adopted. Wonder how they would be rated now?

HRG

 

[B2000]

My Maverick is about the same length as my old B2000 but it had the long bed which was 7.5 feet. Mav is wider- nicked the mirror a couple of times pulling it into the garage.

Sold the Mazda with over 200,000 miles. A delivery driver blew the radiator and kept driving so it had a replacement short block. It was a great truck but tons of rust. It pulled hard- had 1500 pounds of rock in the back once for a short trip.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

IIRC, the rear bumper was an option on the Courier when I bought it. Although mine had 3 pedals,,,,,

HRG

Nice! A late friend of mine had one very similar to yours. Here's your photograph, slightly color corrected.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

80 hp y 1600lbs of payload ?

How come we have 3x times that but our payload is so close ?

Is the chassis strength or what ?

Chassis strength, spring rates, drivability considerations. Regulations. And, with 1600 pound of payload, I doubt that Luv would make it to 70 mph, or even 55 mph in a reasonable amount of time, if ever. Imagine being behind one going up a long hill...

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

The trucks themselves were ~ 1000 lbs lighter too.

Good point - my original Ranger was at, or slightly under 3000 pounds curb weight. I had the 1625 lb payload package, and you definitely paid a price with a very stiff set of springs in the back. But I was pretty young so that wasn't an issue.

Sponsored