[JimGnitecki]

Today, I drove 675 miles from Canada into Wyoming, in 11 hours, including all gas and bathroom stops, and it was almost all better than expected:

- No issues with the seats despite being in the driver's seat most of that time. Yes, I had the dealer add aftermarket lipstick red leather upholstery to replace the OEM gray, but I don't think changing the upholstery affected the comfort or support.

- PLENTY of power for passing on 2-lane segments, and yet very smooth and not loud unless I pressed the throttle with some vigor. I had my Magnuson 2650 kit installed by Davenport Motorpsorts, the Canadian distributor, and to my knowledge, the tune is the same one everyone else gets for an unmodified Camaro. I am mightily impressed with that everyday & toruing friendly tune, especially its tolerance for what fuel it is fed. I normally fill the tank with Mobil 94 (recently introduced into Alberta maybe 3 or 4 months ago). But in Montana and Wyoming, the best gas I could find was Exxon 91 octane, so I had to use that. The engine did not complain or feel different in this touring role with htis 91 ocatne fuel, and still responded like a rocket in 2-lane passing. (See also my fuel mileage comments below)

- because of applicable speed limits and 2 to 3 mph overages on average, the Alberta (Canada) segment was driven at 71 mph, while Montana and Wyoming, where speed limits are mostly 80 and 75, were mostly at 83, with some short segments at 78. The only problem with these speeds in the LT1 is that strong crosswinds (strong enough to extend flags FULLY) made the interior notably noisy. Headwinds or tailwinds hardly noisy at all. But, because the car is so LOW in overall height, crosswinds did NOT affect the handling at all.

- Despite the high speeds in these deserted areas, the fuel mileage AVERAGE was a bit over 25 MPG! I think that's pretty superb for a 650 crank hp hot rod.

- The suspension, which on my LT1 is bone stock, is a bit bouncy on pavement/concrete joints, and transmits a LOT of unwanted movement on pavement irregularities. Mind you, I am running the OEM Run-Flats in front, and 275 wide Nitto street drag radials in the rear, and neither these front or rear tires are anywhere near "touring" in their demeanor, so this may be something "that should be expected" when pushed into a touring role.

- While the trunk is small, and the trunk lid is ridiculously tiny, there was plenty of room for everything I could pissibly need or want for an 8-day vacation, AND there was enough room left over for my adult son to add his stuff when I pick him up tomorrow at Denver Airport for our vacation together. For a "sports car" I consider this adequate.

- Summers in western states result in bugs coating the front end of any car. The Camaro was no exception, and I had to wash off plenty of bugs today. BUT, that nicely sloped and not very high windshield

- It was over 90 degrees F outside in MT and WY today, but I was totally unaware of that until I got OUT of the car at gas and bathroom stops. The AC in the Camaro is VERY capable.

So overall, I was impressed by the car's behaviour today. I bought it for use primarily as a short-drive-at-a-time personal hot rod. But it passed my touring test just fine.

Oh, by the way, I am 72-1/2 years of age, so when I say the car was comfortable for a sports car, that REALLY means something. I am definitely not an "athletic, in-shape, limber bodied individual" at my age,

Jim G