This Week in Motoring: September 28, 2015

Summary: Heads continue to roll at VW AG, Buick brings a convertible back to the US, the Bloodhound SSC is officially unveiled and more.

On the Radar

The Latest in Motoring News

Normal Service Resumes

This weekend, it was back to the Silver Arrows domination that we’ve been accustomed to all season at Suzuka. Though it looked like Rosberg wasn’t even going to make the podium, a crafty pit strategy got him ahead of Vettel to take second place and make it a Mercedes 1-2 finish. Hamilton’s victory now puts him level with his hero Aryton Senna on the all-time wins list, a feat Vettel accomplished earlier in the year at Hungary.

And the Winner Is…

This year’s Jalopnik Film Festival featured a high-quality group of contestants, but it really is no surprise that Petrolicious won it outright with their entry, Building a Dream. It’s a beautifully shot and composed film about a man who wanted to experience what his heroes Juan Fangio and Wolfgang von Trips experienced when driving their ’59 Ferrari Testarossas. But since there’s only five in existence, and each is worth about $35,000,000, Peter Giacobbi built one, from scraps and a spare body shell.

The Saga Continues

As Das Auto Scandal continues to unfold, heads continue to roll. Since Winterkorn’s resignation, Matthias Mueller, the head of Porsche has been chosen as a successor. As resignations from all over the VW Auto Group pour in, the investigation has expanded to the VW’s European diesels as well as other German manufacturers outside of VW AG. This is only the beginning.

It’s Been a While

Next spring the Buick Cascada will end the company’s 25-year absence from the convertible market. If you can’t remember the last Buick convertible, don’t worry; it’s not worth the effort of googling. The Cascada will start at $33,990 and have a 200 horsepower four-cylinder and FWD. But essentially it’s a rebadged Opel.

Custom & Style Motorcycle Film Festival

The Custom & Style Motorcycle Film festival kicked off Wednesday in Brooklyn with an Easy Rider panel and discussion. Over the next four days, there were 35 movie screenings, art shows and evening concerts. Mark your calendars for next year.

Sick ‘Em

The buildup to the record run of the Bloodhound SSC has been a long one. But when you’re looking to break the 1,000 mph barrier, patience is a wise thing to have. The vessel itself was officially unveiled this week; almost a year to go until its record-attempting run next October.

Reviews and Buying Guides

Advice from the Crew

You Know You’ve Always Wanted a 4Runner, But Why?

The Toyota 4Runner has always been the cool car, for the cool kids. The newest Trail version is just as likable. Read the Story

Mazda’s CX-3 Stands Out in a Crowded Room

So maybe you have to succumb to buying a crossover. With the CX-3, that’s not all bad. Read the Review

The Find

What to Buy, Now

1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super

A “Buy It Now” price of $49,500 may seem steep for a tiny Italian four-door, but with the 2016 Alfa Giulia set to make a triumphant return next year, the ROI on this well-preserved ’68 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super may be worth it. And if the 49,000 miles on the clock doesn’t sweeten the deal, know that one or two Alfa collectors already had their sights set on this exact car.

Noteworthy Reads

Motoring Stories from Around the Web

Once you get past how much Chad McQueen looks just like his dad, Steve, hearing him talk about the heyday of Porsches while watching him whip around some backroads just doesn’t get any cooler.

You may never get to drive an actual IndyCar around a race track, so this POV video of Josef Newgarden setting some blistering hot laps around Road America may be the closest you get. (He sets some decent times — but we’ve seen better.)

Some Porsche faithful prefer the technologically advanced cars that Stuttgart is pumping out these days. But one family in Minnesota prefers to recreate and reimagine the old glory days.

Looking Ahead

What We’re Driving Now

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