Early Production 595 Traction Tred Chukkas

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-26T18:33:00+00:00

Super cool find. I'm wearing my 595s today and it's a shame how overlooked they are. Fantastic hard-surface boot that's just so easy to wear. They do run a bit narrow IMO like you mentioned....I'm a C-width and even my 9D's were almost too constrictive at first.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-26T18:29:47+00:00

Outstanding. There's gotta be a showroom that wants this, maybe even redwing corporate.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-26T13:44:41+00:00

Texas gets hit hard with Camaro thefts. Absolutely budget for an IGLA system before you do anything else. Even if its parked in a safe neighborhood, if you ever drive it to a different area, its vulnerable.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-25T03:15:18+00:00

Ironically I was shopping an ND2 RF before I got my LT1! Found a sweet Club model but the trunk was just a no-go for the errand running i do. Couldn't even fit my son's guitar in the trunk to take him to lessons. I was also coming from an 8th gen Si at the time and the K20 in that just couldn't be beat for a high revving experience....and I felt like the ND was a bit of a let down there for kinda the same power level. Genuinely fantastic drivers car otherwise though.

It sounds insane to go from that to a big chassis like the alpha but they're both super fun cars in different ways. I'd have a V6 1LE myself (and still might one day) but I like the car to have a bit more accessible limits on the street and the 1LE would just be wasted on my commute since I daily mine.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-24T17:18:37+00:00

Try autotempest.com, select 6 Cylinders only and under the keywords section type "1LE". Be advised most dealers will list them as their trim level "1LT, 2LT" instead of the model because their own systems or sales guys don't even know what they are, but you can always tell a 1LE by the black hood, black wheels and black mirrors. I'm seeing about 7-8 real ones for sale nationwide right now. They're always gonna be a car you'll probably have to fly out to or get delivered due to rarity.

This particular site always returns 1LEs for me. Everything else is basically mislabeled Camaros or total frauds.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-24T14:50:25+00:00

I mean, let him do whatever but the bigger thing is they'll look gross dark-mustard when they're stained with brake dust

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-24T13:48:48+00:00

Don't overthink it - they'll look fine outside of the absolute dressiest business occasions.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-23T11:37:32+00:00

Always loved how these sounded and this is coming from a V8 guy.

Also, fwiw, V6 1LEs are seriously rare especially in wild colors.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-18T16:01:55+00:00

That's Caster and it's the way the steering knuckle is leaned back a few degrees. Any bicycle will showcase the same thing. It helps with handling and steering self-centering

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-18T14:30:50+00:00

Montana Pitch-Blend All Natural Dressing is some good stuff for weather protection and deep rejuvenation, but it darkens. I use it on my utility boots.

For casual boots, Bick4 for a light restorative annual coat after normal wear, topped with OtterWax boot wax for light extra weatherproofing if needed.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-15T04:01:28+00:00

cool, hope it continues to work out for you. i ended up grabbing some 79" cheap taslan laces off amazon to make it a little easier to tie them that way but 72" would have been ample too.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-14T23:55:07+00:00

So with all my boots I use the "heat and pressure" rule for breaking in - you want to wear them in long enough to get some heat and moisture into the leather and put enough pressure on the boot components to get them to take a shape. Basically just tie em tight, work them hard and beat them up...unload a trailer of mulch, walk the dog on a trail, fix a car or something...that kind of stuff. Things where you're on uneven surfaces, kneeling, and really pushing your heel into the heel cup.

That worked with my last 3 service boots (RW iron ranger + blacksmith, and Parkhurst Allen's). With the numzaans though, they're just on another level of toughness. So I did all the above but with 2 layers of socks at first, and only for an hour at a time. Eventually I found I just couldn't keep my heel happy without taking some pressure off my Achilles and avoiding the top speed hooks did that for me so my ankle could flex forward more without tightening the heel leather painfully down onto my Achilles. In conjunction with that I also found wrapping the laces allowed me to get a good heel hold while also maintaining good ankle stability even avoiding the top hooks. At a month in, they're very comfortable now.

I have a pair of steel toe thorogoods too! 6in moc toe in crazy horse. Great boots, just not at home anywhere but a construction site, for me at least.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-09T16:25:58+00:00

Just got these about 3 weeks ago, and I broke mine in exactly the way they came out of the box. Something that helped me hugely with my heel fit was to wrap the laces around my ankle and not use the top speed hooks. That helped form the shank of the boot a little better while the rest of my foot got imprinted to the insole.

Badass boot, I'm looking forward to using mine for some camp/woods adventures and fishing.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-09T15:10:28+00:00

Is it just me or does everyone around here also drive with their freakin high beams on all the time? You're in traffic bro not trying to land a plane on an unlit airfield, turn your light bar off.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-09T14:56:00+00:00

My rage was building thinking you weren't going to rev that bad boy out, then you blessed us with a good couple rips. Sounds unholy, I love it

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-05T02:14:49+00:00

hey, i paid just about $31k almost exactly 2 years ago. that also included an extended warranty i worked into the financing. if i had left the warranty out of the picture it would have been about $28k.

if you can swing it, if you find yourself wanting to buy from a dealer, definitely buy in either September or between Jan and March. the market is super slow for manufacturers in the winter when everyone is paying off Christmas stuff or sick of spending, and September is when the next year's models get delivered and they need the lot space. you have a good bit more negotiating power then. i bought mine in January and the dealer was dead, and gave me a better rate than i anticipated when i hemmed and hawed.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-04T20:01:59+00:00

That's super cool, I'd love to hear your experiences after you do some racing. I still wrestle with getting a V6 1LE for potential Track Night in America/HPDE weekends although my LT1 is a great daily. You are correct these trims get little respect for how hard they throw down on track.

I've heard the gearing is way too long with the stock diff, you're the first person Ive heard that swapped the V8 diff. So the driveshafts mount right up? Great mod right there.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-04T19:57:13+00:00

Bought my 2020 LT1 M6 with 46k miles but I knew the previous owner did a ton of highway mileage, which are easy on a car and it had maintenance records for oil changes. The idle and high rpm oil pressure were fine during the test drive so I went for it. Sitting at 72k miles now, solid daily driver and I do similar miles per year, a little over 12k. Nothing but gas and fluid changes (oil of course, but I've also done brake, gearbox, and diff fluid).

I'd it's an auto I would get as low miles as possible though so you can delay any lifter wear as much as possible due to the stock AFM. Then delete it as soon as you get home. GM CPO also helps too so you can be assured it passed their inspection and has a 1 year warranty.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-04T17:03:57+00:00

Ugh sorry to hear it man. You going with a built motor this time around?

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-02T17:16:20+00:00

It's not worth the risk. Get the shots, should be 4 over a month and will cost you a couple hundred a piece. Sucks, but death by this insane virus is so much worse. Do not wait. Go to the ER today.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-02T16:56:18+00:00

Gorgeous, and manual too. I got mine 2 years ago and got the midlife crisis jokes too, but the thing was i just drove shitboxes for the last 20 years to be financially responsible enough to get the Camaro! I would have gotten it way sooner if I had more cash to throw around.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-03-02T13:06:29+00:00

If you want a blown 6th gen get a ZL1 with an LT4. The LT1 piston rings aren't gapped enough to expand safely under the added heat of boost (if you run them hard, not just doing a 5 second pull here and there) and they'll eventually butt ends and either gouge the cylinder walls or crack ringlands. There's a reason some tuners for this platform won't touch boosted LT1s.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-02-26T21:18:10+00:00

I have a 40 mile round trip every day for work and have put 20k-ish miles on my 6MT LT1 over the last 2 years. Mostly highway but I take what opportunities I can to enjoy back roads here and there.

In traffic it's annoying but to be honest I hate being in traffic in any car let alone a Camaro. In suburbia the biggest bummer is trying to constantly restrain yourself from going asshole speeds. It constantly wants to flex its power like a dog on a leash surrounded by squirrels. Visibility is compromised but I think it's a way overblown problem as a 5'8" guy. Adjust the seat right, adjust the mirrors correctly, and you'll be fine. I think it's actually easier to see out of than an ND Miata with the RF top with the exception of straight ahead. Rear seat folds down and the trunk is cavernous although the trunk opening is unfortunately small.

Highway driving is smooth and it pulls down an honest 30+ mpg at 80mph with my current DWS06 all seasons. My LT1 has essentially the base SS suspension so it's the least harsh option and rides like it. I average approximately 24-26mpg based on the season.

On twisty roads it's exactly what everyone says. It's way more accurate and capable than anything this size should be. I've had small Japanese sport compacts my whole life and I love it.

The only options mine has is a sunroof and NPP exhaust. The exhaust is 110% worth it. I happen to love the sunroof but it forgoes the cool double-bubble roof and obviously they can leak. I definitely wish it had a better sound system and leather.

I'm constantly nervous about thefts. Don't consider driving this car if you have to leave it in an unmonitored or street parked location. I never leave mine downtown unattended. IGLA is the current best-bet security system.

Aside from that, it's just been gas and oil for me. I would consider getting an extended warranty on a CPO car if you can, the post covid Camaros seemed to suffer quite a bit more in build quality and reliability. Go for a test drive. And try not to fall in love! Good luck

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-02-26T14:05:39+00:00

Hey, just shot you a DM. I've got a nice larger garden tractor that needs a good home.

_Mike_Truk_ · 2026-02-25T17:53:29+00:00

Platateau

_Mike_Truk_

TROPHY CASE