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!

Well, Ive been holding off on sharing this until I knew everything was in order, but I think that time has come, so here we go...

GM is buying the car back from me.

It went in for the final inspection in April, before I went to Bahrain, where a GM engineer allegedly went over the whole car and could find nothing wrong with it. I got it back and immediately noticed something new wrong with it - a developing exhaust leak because it was missing header bolts, which probably traces back to the original engine replacement. I also noticed another issue - only 2 bolts out of about 10 to 12 are holding the undertray on.

I called GM and explained these issues that their engineer didn't catch, further reinforcing my belief that the repair work was shoddy and I have no faith in this vehicle and believe I will continue ro uncover more problems. I had an attorney online and we were planning to go to arbitration, but GM decided to come through with an offer to take the car back. And the best part is, because of Virginias aggressive lemon laws, they will refund 100% less about $200 to adjust for mileage on the car.

So all the paperwork is in place, just waiting on GM to wire the money and give me instructions on which bridge to push this thing off where to turn it in.

I haven't given a replacement much thought yet. I've got a lot going on between this, work travel, and getting ready to change jobs. I figure Ill give it a few months to let the dust settle while I think about it.

... and in my heart.

The Camaro went back to the dealership today to be re-released into the wild. If anyone on here ends up looking at a blue 1SS 1LE, let me know the VIN so you can make sure you don't buy my old headache.

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.

My dad works in construction and earlier this year he was involved in a full kitchen tear out / remodel and was able to score me a bunch of cabinets. Well today he came over and we hung them, and I gotta say, they look great! The big pantry cabinet needs a support base built underneath which I will do myself, but the hard work is done.

I also got the air compressor mounted on its isolators. I need to shim it up, its a bit crooked, and then get my regulator mounted on the wall. But I gotta say, I'm pleased and the garage is coming together nicely.

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 don't play golf, so I had no idea this was a thing. But it was kind of fun.

The Awali Golf Club!

Stuck between oil fields...

And a military air base!

Check out that perfect form!

Instead of greens they have browns.. sand packed with some kind of... Stuff? We think it's some kind of petroleum byproduct.

The interesting thing about desert golf is the sand can be packed or loose, you never really know. Sometimes you'll hit a crappy drive but it will hit hard pack sand and roll forever, other times you smash an amazing drive and it stops dead in soft sand.
We only played 9 holes before it got too dark. Finding balls, even neon ones, takes up a lot of time.

Finally, to make this good Oppo, here's a car I saw in the parking lot leaving the course.

@milky

@veearrrsix I went to UMD, and UA provides gear (for free) to the major sports teams. We asked for shirts for our Formula SAE team and were told to piss up a rope.

Also, I took a business class to fulfill an out of major elective. Kevin was going to come speak at UMD and the prof made it a requirement to attend. All he did was talk about all the celebrity athletes he hangs out with. It was obnoxious.

@veearrrsix you get a begrudging upvote. I strongly dislike Kevin Planck and UA. But that was pretty funny.

@gibbsemphasis @davesaddiction wasabi snacks AND coffee were a staple at my last job when we were out doing trials. 12 hour shifts and 16 hour days are pretty tiring and the best way to stay awake was a multi-pronged effort.

One of the upshots of coming back to Groton is a chance to hit my favorite italian joint outside of Italy, Paul's Pasta. What are you all having for dinner?

@snakesm13 Thank you for sharing this. I have an enclosure Id like to add a Bluetooth speaker to and was going to solicit Oppo for suggestions for kits. But you've saved me the trouble.

That looks like an awesome build and I bet it bumps.

@krustywantout said in The National Guard: Five Mornings and Five Afternoons A Week:

@snuze Kids won't get out of the car.

Touche.

That made me legitimately LOL.

@krustywantout no, I don't. But have your kids ever gotten out of the car in the middle of the drivethru and taken a leak in the middle of the parking lot for all to see?

@grindintosecond said in Oppo parenting:

I would have mouthed off and been in trouble before I got there.

Those issuess tend to get worked out really quickly. I remember a girl in my in processing group said something smartass... she had 6 RDCs (Navy drill sergeants) on her before she could blink. I don't think she spoke another word the rest of basic.

@ttyymmnn I used to have to drive the duty van full of drunk sailors. This can't be too much worse...

@gmporschenut-also-a-fan-of-hondas
E-tool is also a good option to keep in the car as it folds up extremely compact.