This one’s nostalgic for me. When I was in college, one guy, let’s just call him WB III, had a car that none of the rest of us knew anything about. It was a late-70s to early-80s Volkswagen Scirocco, like the 1980 Scirocco Mk I for sale here on eBay. The color was even the same red as this little hatchback.
While this fellow was piloting his German sportscar and bragging about the handling, I was driving a 1975 Dart Sport, 225 slant six placed firmly between the fenders. It wasn’t fast, and it didn’t have power steering. That does not mean I was jealous of “Wally’s” (not his real name) VeeDub, because we all knew that sooner or later, that German car was going to give him headaches. Never happened. He drove it to Ontario from Wisconsin, and he would think nothing about driving it home and back for a three-day weekend, though what was this nonsense about front-wheel drive? The rest of us just marveled at his bravado. To us, a Volkswagen was a Beetle or Rabbit. We knew nothing about this exotic little beast. Had we done any research back then, we would have found out that Wally’s car was near the last of the first generation of Sciroccos, which were made from 1974-81.
Meanwhile, Wally used to sing a modified version of a song that I can’t quite place. The lyrics he used were, “My red Scirocco goes one-fifty-five,” or something like that. Nobody thought it was actually that fast, but it could certainly scoot. That makes it slightly tempting to go after this Scirocco, which has 117,000 miles on it and lives currently in Salem, Oregon. The reserve on this one is not met at $4600 bucks, with five days to go in the auction. I’m not sure it’s possible to import a 1980 car into Cali, where I ended up, because of smog rules, but if I could, I’d be sporting a 1.8-liter engine with a five-speed to back it up. One problem: neither is original, though the engine looks spotless.
Still, would this purchase be a good idea? I’d have to paint it, of course, because it’s noted as fading on the top surfaces. Plus, the seller notes some rust bubbles, and that’s scary. And it wouldn’t do to leave the interior in the condition it’s in—how does a rear passenger seat get that worn? Dog? The headliner also looks to need some attention. So in the end, buying this gets you a niche car which shows its age around the edges. Tough choice. I wonder if Wally’s out there wishing to relive the 80s, and those college days?
Went to Europe in ’74 just shortly after these car were introduced. They were everywhere. Something other than the staid sedans were welcomed and VW didn’t disappoint with the Scirocco and the GT cars. Prices were double what we paid in the US but that didn’t stop the buyers one bit. The cars are still popular as SCCA race cars as evidenced by the Scirocco and Cabriolet I have to contend with every time we go to the track. Nice car here.
“My Maserati goes 185. I lost my license and now I can’t drive.”
Joe Walsh
Every time I see a Maserati that song pops in my head.
“Life’s Been Good to Me So Far” for anyone who’s curious about the exact title
Ultimate Tossable Machine. Wunderbar!
I’ve owned many MK 1 Rabbit’s and Scriocco’s in the past, and they are wonderful cars, but I have the honesty to say that I don’t have the kahunas to ever take one 155 mph, even in a straight line. Yikes!
My dad had a 81 Scirocco S model in light blue. That was a nice car and his partner at work often drove it. I think they would top out at around 100 because Jay got pulled over while the pedal was buried. I don’t know how true his story was but when he got pulled over and the officer approached him and asked “sir, do know how hast you were going!” Jays reply was officer I was going so GD fast to was too afraid to look at the speedometer! The officer laughed at him and told him to get out of here. Apparently he was able get get a good laugh out of the officer. Don’t think that would happen in this day and age but it was a fun story of Jay flying in the Scirocco.
These were great cars penned by the famous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro like the Rabbit and is a timeless design. In America we got the 1600 engine with Bosch CIS injection in 77. That was the strongest running year. I think for 78 it was reduced to 1500 to skate under the EPA regs and was able to run without a Cat. 81 saw a displacement increase to 1.7L with a O2 sensor and a 3-way cat. Still not as quick as the 1600. This car is already over 5K in bids and I bet it brings close to 10K as these cars hardly come up for sale in good condition.
Back in the late 70,s I knew someone with a VW Scirocco that was modified. Headers with a Monza exhaust. Dual webers carbs nice intake and modify camshaft. That’s VW moved!! That was made for Lime Rock driving!! Don’t know what happened to it. Hey I was into American muscle cars!! Mopars!!! Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Great front end. Design by Karmann i beleive.
Bodies built by Karmann, design by Giugiaro.
Thx Sub good info.
I had a new ’75 Rabbit, it was the worst car I ever had, it would die on the freeway at every opportunity. Traded it for a new ’75 Dasher GT that ran better till my GF rolled it. Never had another VW.
The Rabbit was the worst car you ever had and then you bought a Dasher?? Car dealers dream about guys like you.
Do you think I wanted another VW? No other dealer wanted that POS either, it was the only way I could dump it. Ever heard the term “cutting your losses”? You? Probably not.
Still a sore spot since 1975? Sorry, man.
I’m sure that if you got a lemon that you’d keep driving it, not me, I like to be happy with what I drive and needed to get to work on time daily.
I know you’re sorry, now apologize.
Actually, the 155 isn’t much of a stretch. If he was from Ontario, that would be km/h which is about 95 mph or so.
My mum had a Golf GTi which I had a lot of fun with. Just shy of 110mph was the most that I remember (middle of the night, empty straight road).
I bought a brand new Scirocco in 1978. Gorgeous and fun to drive. It had a single wiper blade that parked on the passenger side; gave the parking lot guys fits. Mostly I remember that the very first time I took it to the VW dealer for service, it came back with a new sticker on the gas filler that read “Check Engine Oil”. I soon discovered that Rabbits and Sciroccos had a defect that VW refused to fix. I never had to change the oil because it consumed a quart every other tankful of gas; just changed the oil filter.
Valve stem seals. They wasted as much oil as the Exxon Valdez. And yes, VW refused to acknowledge the problem. They have a history of doing that.
‘I’m not sure it’s possible to import a 1980 car into Cali, where I ended up, because of smog rules,’
http://thesmogstop.com/california-smog-check/
It has to meet the Fed emissions rules it was sold under and not be missing any factory
smog equipment or show signs of tampering.
Good looking car, but I always thought the designer was a one trick pony and way over rated.
“The designer” was named “Designer of the Century” in 1999. Giorgetto Giugiaro. Italdesign
Esquire Magazine “How Giorgetto Giugiaro Became The Greatest Car Designer Of All Time
In a 60-year career, the maestro of motors has designed 200 models with sales of more than 60 million.” “One-trick pony” indeed.
I’ve heard it said that “everyone who got a Scirocco really wanted an Audi Ur-Quattro.” That can’t be true, as I knew Scirocco owners who never heard of or considered the Audis.
Of course, the VW loyalists will point out that the Scirocco predated the Audi Quattro by six years………
Best write up I’ve read in a long time. Good car. I had a 1981 Toyota Corolla sr5 hatchback with all the trimmings back then. It was a dream to drift and flog it’s 5 speed rear wheel drive over country roads racing my friend in his scirocco.
I bought one new in 1980 that was platinum gray with a red vinyl interior and 5 speed. I had a blast with that car. One of my all time favorite rides that I wish I still had.
Bid at $6,305 now (reserve not met).