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.

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 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.

@ttyymmnn I LOVE THE SOUND OF JET NOISE! As much as I didn't care for Norfolk, I do miss seeing those bumper stickers.

@carbon-fiber-sasquatch and of these 3 companies, only one of them is doing it right.

@whoistheleader said in Bronco Merch: You're Doing It Wrong Edition:

But seriously, I can't think of a single good vehicle with II or 2 in the name

How about this bitchin' 1965 Chevy II Nova wagon?

@aestheticsinmotion Gib V70R!

Seriously, that thing looks nice, and the issues aren't insurmountable.

@just-jeepin I did it on the regular for a few years, so I'm good.

@Exage03040 @BicycleBuck Sailors, and in particular submariners, are both the best and worst people imaginable. Smart, dedicated, and also disgusting, horny bastards. I missed the integration of women on subs by a few years, but I worked in the surface fleet for a bit, which was already integrated, and lets just say that my experience was that my above statements hold true for both genders.

@mazda616 congratulations! Its been a while since Ive been in a framed up house. Kinda makes me miss doing electrical work.

@whoistheleader or you're a badass stunt pilot!

@whoistheleader but how else can you replicate the feeling of flying a Bf-109?

@dipodomysdeserti tell me more about this magical good chocate...

@whoistheleader said in Forever Sus:

And I never trust you, ever. But I believe Boin when he says it's him.

Well, at least we agree on those things.