It's been a while since I've really been active on here so here's a little update.

2023 will mark my 13th year with my 2006 SS. The last time I did anything significant to the car was back in 2019 and this year I have a few things upcoming.

First, back in July 2022 someone backed into the front of the car while it was parked, doing slight damage to the hood, front bumper cover and upper grille. The SS front bumper cover specifically was a pain in the butt to find however I now have all parts in hand. That said, I have the repairs to be done which will include a brand new hood, front bumper cover and upper grille (all OEMs) and I figured since we'll be in there it's a perfect time to replace the energy absorber (the original is cracked where the headlight retainers lock in) and the lower grille (the original is chipped up and showing its age). SS front bumper covers are basically non-existent (new or used) so I ended up going with an LS front bumper cover - it's exactly the same as the SS cover but doesn't have the slots along the bottom for the SS's lower valence extension so the shop will cut those in and nobody will ever know. The shop I'm having do these repairs and paint is the same shop I had repaint the front clip back in 2012 - the same people are even there still including the guy who painted it back in 2012 (he's doing the work this time too).

I also have the following brand new replacement parts - new hood support strut, new trunk lid support struts (all are weakening from age) and a pair of backup lights (all OEMs). The original backup lights were smoked by me back in 2011 so they're showing their age, plus the driver side housing is cracked in multiple places. I am going to have my new pair of backup lights professionally smoked before they go on the car.

2022 was kind of a light year for me event-wise (I believe I only did 4 shows) but I did pickup "Best LS4" at the W-Body/3800 Gathering. I do have at least 6 shows planned for 2023.

Now for new pics. I officially got the car back out for this season on March 26. This past weekend, I took it out for what turned into a 50-mile cruise around the Ann Arbor area. The below pics are from that outing. I've put about 100 miles on the car so far this year - it currently has 101,290 miles.

 

You Monte always looks great. And I have seen it in person many times, it is as close as I think you can get for a driven car to look factory new. And your attention to detail shows in the effort YOU (not a shop) put in to hunt down NOS OEM parts to repair it. Hopefully it will soon be an old memory you can forget and get back to enjoying the car.
I have not gotten my Montes out yet. Both are waiting on some things and I hope the wait ends soon.

 

That is a beautiful ride!
You always seem to have a great backdrop for each photo and that is what keeps it interesting.

I have some shows planned for this year I want to try some new things this year. I wish that the Nats were closer I would enjoy that.
Maybe explore some different categories that the car would fit into.
Last year I was disappointed in the Judging at some of the shows I went to.
At one I saw the Judge going around and I was chatting with a spectator I asked him to check out my details board ( he told me they were one judge short and he didn't have time to do that. He wasn't a judge just a guy checking off boxes. Ex gov. worker no doubt Lol

 

Thanks guys, much appreciated

 

Looks like a beast!

Found out why it also looks different.. no front license plate. The stance is on point.

 

Thank you Can't believe it's been 11 years since I lowered it.

 

Always like seeing your car, only wish mine was that nice. 😎