A 2021 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE in Riverside Blue! That's right, I've joined our very own @Arch-Duke-Maxyenko in going full mullet with one of the baddest Camaros to ever hit the street!

I've wanted a Camaro since I was a kid. Posters of IROC-Zs adorned my walls. It's always been my attainable dream car, and today the dream was attained! It feels so good! Im giddy just thinking about it sitting in my driveway!

If you're not well versed in Camaros, the SS denotes that this car is propelled by the 5th Generation of the legendary Chevrolet Small Block V8 displacing 6.2L and making 455 HP and 455 ft-lbs.

The 1LE is the more interesting bit - the term is an RPO code (how GM internally denotes different options and packages) that originated with the 3rd Gen Camaro. Its a track pack that increases cooling and handling for sever duty use.

In this case it adds a multitude of features including larger radiator, larger oil cooler, trans cooler, and rear diff cooler, 1LE specific springs and sway bars with Magnaride shocks with performance tuning, an electronically controlled torque vectoring differential (eDiff), massive brakes with 6 piston Brembo monobloc calipers up front and 4 pistons out back, special light weight forged wheels, 20x10 up front and 20x11 out back, short throw shifter, Recaro performance bucket seats, and the black wrapped hood, spoiler, and mirrors.

This particular car came with a dealer installed GM Performance Parts front strut tower brace in black.

If you can't tell from my pictures, its a crappy day today so I will get more pictures later, along with a more detailed write up of features, specs, and driving impressions. Suffice to say, it's awesome!

This is both figuratively and literally.

First, on the literal side we went up to the top of Mt. Yumihari. We were planning to get brunch but the spot was closed. But the drive up was fun, the roads were very steep and curvy. The view was cool, although it was quite hazy today. But you should still be able to make out the harbor, Navy base, and SSK shipyard. I learned the large rectangular basin was built back between 1906 and 1917 and it was Japan's largest civil construction project up to that point. On an unrelated note, apparently some scenes from The Last Samurai were filmed up here (though I've never seen it).

During our travels I saw this neat house that was built up on stilts with parking below it. Waiting there for it's owner was a nice little Suzuki Alto and a scooter.

A neat little factoid is that in Japan all new drivers must display this new driver symbol on their cars for the first year they drive. There's also a symbol for elderly drivers over 70, but I haven't seen one yet.

Below is a Mazda Flair Wagon that I saw while out and about and I really like the color. The Flair Wagon is actually a rebadged Suzuki Spacia, similar to the one I posted yesterday.

I also got this shot in the military park with some interesting cars. In the foreground is a Toyota Noah van, similar to one I've been riding around in (when we're not using the Hiaces). Behind it, barely visible, is a WRX. Beyond that is an Alfa Romeo Mito and the small white car on the far right is a first generation Daihatsu Copen kei roadster.

Now the figurative part of going to the mountain top. Tonight, I went to Lemon Steak Salon. It's a little hole in the wall place in Sasebo, had seating for about 12. It's run by a husband and wife, and he's apparently a classically trained chef who has won many accolades. He cooks right in front of you and his wife helps and waits the one table and the bar.

I went all in and got a full set which included a creamy squash soup (not pictured), a salad that contained everything:

As well as a fabulous dessert of orange custard, raspberry sherbet and vanilla ice cream, and coffee:

And the most important part, 3/4 of a pound of Kobe steak!

This is one of, if not the, best steaks I've ever had in my life. It was soft, tender, perfectly cooked, and perfectly seasoned. I really can't say enough about how good this steak was. It's worth a trip to Sasebo just for this steak.

With that, I'm off to meat coma land.

At some point in their life, every human should be alone in Fukuoku airport, have their flight canceled, travel itenerary completely flipped upside down, rushed onto a flight to Haneda airport, and told they are flying out of Narita. And it's up to them to figure out how to get from Haneda across Tokyo to Narita.

It's a humbling experience.

I'm currently on the JR at Okachimachi, wherever that is. If you don't see me on here anymore, don't worry, I'm either dead in Tokyo or I will resurface in a few years as King of the Kei Cars!

Update: I made it to the airport and oh my god. It's dead. There's a few security guards wandering around and a gaggle of about 15 people at McDonalds because it's the only thing open. This feels like something out of an apocalypse or zombie movie. It's also eeriely quiet.

I counted on the board, there are 26 departing flights the rest of today, and 11 have been canceled. If my experience flying from From Chicago to Tokyo a month ago, or from Fuk to Haneda is anything to go by, there will be 30-50 people on a flight. That means this terminal will depart approximately 450 to 750 people the rest of today. Pre-COVID they were probably doing that every 10-15 minutes.

Welp, the 'Mero is getting a new bullet.

According to my service advisor, they found something in the oil pan. GM Techline wanted them to pull the motor and tear it down and check the crank and cam. My advisor pushed back and said they needed to get me my car back, not turn it into a science project. GM is going to send a new engine to the dealership, and they will send GM my current one to let them tear it down and diagnose further.

My advisor said I should be getting the car back around the end of next week.

I laughed at this way harder than I should have.
I spotted this in the Sasebo bus station. I just boarded the bus to Fukuoka where I will stay tonight and then fly home tomorrow. I will try to take some highway pictures and do more car spotting in Fuk. (It's pronounced "fook", btw)

I saw this sweet little Daihatsu Mira Gino on Minilites, and I have a mighty need! It's also probably a 1000, as it doesn't have kei plates. Yet another example of a car that is offered in both kei and non-kei variants.

I got it back from the shop Wednesday night, so far so good.

I put the winter wheels and tires on it, got the rears done last night and did the fronts this morning. My winters are 245 series, heres a shot of them next to one of my 305 rear tires!

Holy steam roller!

Last night I decided to be lazy and went to Family Mart and stocked up in snacks and grub. Behold this magnificent feast:

I got grapefruit chuhai, Craft Boss Latte, some kind of grape yogurt, a baumkuchen bun, a steamed pork dumpling, some spicy crispy rice and peanut snack, Meiji white & milk chocolate bars, some tuna and salmon onigiri, and a spicy cheesy Famichiki. Last night I ate the Famichiki and bun, and drank the chuhai, the rest was for breakfast and snacks. Let me tell you, the Famichiki is lit! It's basically a flat chicken breast with a slice of cheese wrapped around it, with spicy breading and then fried. The best part is its a legit chicken breast, not some reprocessed chopped up chicken mush formed into a patty. Oh, I also got 2 of those peanut butter creme choux buns.

Today I took my driving test and earned my license so I can now drive in Japan. I learned in this little Nissan Sylphy. It's the same as a Sentra but right-hand drive. Let me tell you, it's weird - gas and brake are normal, shifter remains in the center (it was an automagic - still weird selecting drive with the left hand), but turn signals and wipers are switched. Also driving on the left is weird and I almost messed up one time, swinging wide on a left turn, but I quickly caught and fixed my mistake. The instructor, however, caught my error but was kind and let me repeat the maneuver. But the important thing is I got it done.

I saw the little Suzuki kei van on my way back from work today, and I loved the wood trim on it. Then I saw the Honda on my walk to dinner and it caught my eye. Neither are anything special but I thought they were neat.

Speaking of dinner, I went to the famous Sasebo CB Burger and got their signature dish along with fries. It's a loaded burger with 2 patties, cheddar, fried egg, super thick pork belly, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, and pepper mayo. Delish!

I had a strong lemon & lime chuhai to wash it down and some Mister Donuts for dessert. The chocolate donut was super light and fluffy, but the chocolate frosting was a bit bland. But the old fashioned was on point. Easily one of the best I've had.

You all thought I was going to say car, didn't you? Well thats coming, soon.

But this is Blizzy, shes a 2 year old Husky/Shepherd cross. She might also be a little nuts. Shes had a very stressful day, she was literally going to be put to sleep tonight, but we offered to take her so she got wisked away, along with 10 rescue cats, in a 6 hour drive from North Carolina. She's stressed and not doing well with Ozzy, hence why she's in the box and we've blocked off some room for her. But I'm sitting vigil with her and we're just chillin right now, so things are good.

@CB How soon before I should offer her a potato?

ETA: She is a foster from the same rescue we got Ozzy from. So if anyone in the DC area wants to adopt this beautiful girl, lemme know!

I just asked my wife for this for Christmas. She said no.

Well, I made it. It wasn't easy, but I am in Japan. I just crossed onto Kyushu island in the "COVID Bus" which means I'm about 2 hours or so from my final destination.

Note there are no pictures because there hasn't been anything to take pictures of, or its been too dark.

To recap, my employer (US govt) needed some folks to go to Japan. Japan is having COVID mania right now and has made it all but impossible to get in the country. However due to being govt I was able to get an exemption, but it required jumping through a lot of hoops - COVID test within 72 hours prior to travel, working with the embassy to get a MOFA letter certifying Im on official business, filling out a metric shit-ton of paperwork. I seriously think an entire tree died to produce all the papers needed to get here.

One of Japan's COVID mitigation steps is only allowing travel into the country through Tokyo (either Narita or Haneda). Upon arrival I was required to take another COVID test - this time its a spit test. I don't drink a lot of fluids when I travel because I dont want to pee every 5 minutes, so I was a bit dehydrated and it took me a while to come up with enough saliva. Weird, I know.

Then I had to sign an affidavit that I would quarantine for 14 days, regardless of the test outcome. Part of that affidavit is refraining from public transport - no domestic flights, trains, public buses, etc. Now remember, we are in Tokyo, which is eastern central Honshu island, trying to go to the western part of Kyushu island and we can't take a train or plane. So, the sponsor arranged for a private charter bus to take us down to Sasebo, which is about 14 hours away.

The bus is pretty standard, aside from being right hand drive, but its really just like any other US motorcoach. It even has the blue seat fabric with the curly colored ribbon pattern.

But because any of us could be potentially infected, they have turned each seat into a safety coccon by covering it in plastic and draping a plastic curtain around it. I feel like I'm in a cheap sci-fi movie. We were joking when we got on board that they were going to put us into cryostasis for the trip. Fortunately it wasn't necessary, I slept for most of the last 12 hours on my own accord, only waking for snacks and bathroom breaks.

Speaking of snacks, if you are unaware, Japan is legendary for crazy snacks. Here are the things I've had so far:

• Honey BBQ Pork potato chips. These arent your typical Lays chips dusted in crappy BBQ sauce powder, they taste like legit BBQ pork!

• Rice triangles! Dont know the name, but its a palm sized, triangular shaped hunk of sricky rice filled with stuff - one was fish chips, one was garlic chicken and spicy mayo, and one was ginger salmon.

• Meat bun. Typical steamed pork bun, but it was tasty!

• Pork tray. Again, no idea what its called, but its a little tray about 6" long by 3" wide and 1" deep. It has a base layer of stick rice and on top are chopped seaweed, teryaki ground pork, and scrambled egg. So good!!!

• Canned coffee - Japan LOVES ice cold coffee. When I was in Yokosuka a few years ago there was a coffee vending machine on practically every street corner (not an exaggeration). I love this stuff and really need to limit myself around it. Im partial to BOSS Cafe Au Lait, but I like trying different ones.

• Yogurt drink! Had this in the airport and it was Weird But Tasty. Its basically a can of thinned, sweetened plain yogurt with some kind of, uh, solids in it. They were kind of like the bubbles in bubble tea, but smaller.

When I get to Sasebo I have to quarantine for 2 weeks, so don't expect much Japan content for a bit. Once quarantine is up I am moving from govt lodging to a hotel out in town. At that point I will be taking more pictures and posting more.

@hfv

@snakesm13 Looks fantastic! Congratulations!!!

Traction... I don't have it...

@facw @Future-Next-Gen-S2000-Owner I have the 3DMats USA mats in my Camaro and I like them quite a bit.

@silentbutnotreallydeadly But giving zero stars for lack of nannies seems rather disingenuous.

@EssExTee I think it would be better to compare this van to a similar size van from 25 years ago.

@samv8 @SilentbutnotreallyDeadly maybe they need 2 scores? A passive score that represents how the vehicle performs in a crash, and an active score that represents how many and what kind of safety nannies are present and how well the perform at preventing crashes.

@rallydarkstrike when I was up there it seemed like above 0 was shorts and t-shirt weather, 0 to -18 was jeans and hoodie weather, and below -18 was light jacket weather... for the locals anyways.

@dipodomysdeserti Hey! I resemble that remark!

@rallydarkstrike based on my experiece, that means it was actually light jacket weather! Pretty bundled up for those parts!

@ttyymmnn Yes!