Take a look at this wonderful example of Volkswagen’s first generation Scirocco, found here on eBay, currently in Madison, WI after spending most of its life in CA according to the seller. It’s a virtually rust free, well-maintained example with a great looking interior and engine bay clean enough to eat out of.
When faced with what model to replace the lagging sales of the Karman Ghia with, Volkswagens answer was the 1974 Scirocco – a sporty hatchback created to be the sister speedster on the showroom floor when the mass appeal and cheaper Golf was introduced. It rolled into U.S. dealers in 1975, after minor changes to the headlights to pass our D.O.T laws – where VW simply added 4 round headlights (2 for low beam, 2 more for high beam) instead of the European 2 square version.
Very little changed in this generation until a new body style was offered in 1982. Personally, I grew up with Gen 1, and still prefer its sharp edges and profile compared to the ten-year run of the second style, or even the re-introduction of the Scirocco in 2008 after a 14-year hiatus. The third generation to me just looked like a squat, slightly elongated version of the Golf, but it had a good run with production lasting until just last year – then falling victim of the massive changes after diesel-gate, and VW’s focus on electric and hybrids in the future.
This model is an “S” which featured blacked out chrome trim, Recaro designed seats, sports strips and a standard five-speed transmission. The 1981 “S” only came in Cosmos Silver Metallic, Cirrus Gray Metallic and Mars Red, which the seller correctly identifies for this survivor. I’ve never had the joy of driving a Scirocco, but if there was one in the world that I’d like to take for a spin – you’re looking at it!
I remember these being rather nice to drive, although I was never tempted to buy one (including now).
Back in 1975, I did a road test on the then-new US-spec VW Rabbit (Golf) for a now-defunct magazine. Compared to the Beetle, it was a lively performer, but seemed completely devoid of any sort of personality. Interestingly, the press car had four-wheel drum brakes.
Beatnik,
What color was the Rabbit?
Ahh the car I learned to drive a standard on. Most people started neglecting these as the A2 chassis cars came out and few survived unless someone really took the time to keep it going. Nice flashback here. I have to say I liked the Dasher and Quantum too but they didn’t have the aftermarket support the sporty cars got.
UK spec 1978/79 with round headlamps … owned one in mettalic green … great car if a little dull …aka safe and boring …but still bags of personality unlike modern ones
My family has had over a dozen VWs, air and water cooled, and they’ve left me with a real love-hate feeling. I feel like they’ve all had tons of personality…when they ran. I learned to drive on a ’79 Rabbit with an automatic and later had an ’82 Rabbit with a 4 speed; the main differences between the Rabbit and the Scirocco were the external shape and the remoteness of possibility of fitting grownups in the back seat. It’s hard to believe today that 80HP and under-a-ton weight made these cars run away from American subcompacts, but they were pretty peppy for their day and place in the market. Again, when they ran. This one is in unbelievable condition–I never see Rabbits or pickups with gas engines anymore, and I can’t imagine a diesel Scirocco.
I had a ‘77 for years, only problem I ever had was a fuel pump.
I have owned over a dozen VW’s (two air-cooled, the rest water-cooled) since 1979, and while I have had some problems, they have all been utterly reliable. I am sorry that you have experienced otherwise – but why you wound up with a batch of lemons I have no idea, as the odds are against it.
I had a ’78 bought it in ’84 for $2K and sold (I regret now, but don’t we all) for $1.8K in ’89. Drove all through college, but the Chicago winters were tough on the body. Great car but power was a bit lacking. Had great memories and drove it many miles with no major issues. Always like the styling of the first generation and the quad headlight front end was a good look. Have not seen one of these in years.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the U.S.-spec Scirocco S come with a front air dam like the Euro version that Scott Tait posted? I seem to recall that it did. If so, can it be easily sourced, or is it like the OEM BMW E36 M3 front strut bar, which costs more than a very nice higher mileage example?
Granted, that ain’t saying much given the value of an E36 M3 but it’s something to definitely take into account if you’re a purist about to pay top dollar for this. I’d at least want to know the cost to make it 100% true. Other than that great Scirocco!
Yes on the U.S. model airdam, the car for sale is missing it. Here is a shot of my ’81 S in Cosmos Silver bought new in Gilroy, CA in February 1982.
Which Is the history of the car in the picture, recently purchased 81 Scirocco S looks like a the picture car in Ensenada México, the last registration Is under name of the lady in Hollywood
Went with a lady friend of mine to help her shop for a new car; she wanted a guy around because the salesmen would not talk to her like she had a brain. We, or rather I, drove one of these and aside from being a nice car with some real pep that single windshield wiper was something a remember, I had never seen one of those before. I was driving an MGB with three wipers and I thought that was strange but that single wiper was a hoot.
I worked at a VW dealership from 1974 to 1982 and saw lots of new product in those years, not always the best of things.
The Scirocco was one of the best, even though it sort of suffered from VW’s quality issues. Fun to drive, nice to look at.
Beautiful cars, almost bought one when they came out in ’75, I had a two year old ’73 Super Beetle at the time. This car was a screamer compared to the Beetle. Never did care for it after the first generation.
If I may toss 2 cents in: Owned a 79 and an 87. Enjoyed the heck out of both of them. Both had clutches and both suffered the indignity of Buffalo NY winters and a steady diet of salt. Sheet metal long gone before any serious mechanical issues and both went over 100,000 miles. Still don’t understand the Corrado experiment.
I had a ‘79 “Champagne Edition.” One day at a busy intersection it just stopped. Motor would turn over but not catch. Had it towed to the dealer who fixed it for free. Some months later in a parking lot, same problem. Fortunately for me another Scirocco owner came over and said “you’ve blown a fuel pump fuse – I have the same problem and carry extras!” From that day on I carried extra fuses (needed ‘em, too!).
I had two friends who had black scirocco S.
I bought a new 1976 Ancona Blue. Installed Bilstein shocks, cut the springs to lower it about 1.5″ and installed 6″ ATS wheels with 205/60-13 Goodyears. Won every auto cross and Ice race (13×4.5″ Fox wheels with Goodyear F32 ice tires) entered and took a second in a hill climb in Peoria Il. ( when you did these suspension things and had the correct tire pressures, the car actually had minor oversteer. An absolute blast on a front wheel drive car!) Loved that car. It got “T”boned by a Nova at 60 mph. Bought a 1975 and built a Pro-Rally car. And did very well including an overall win in a divisional rally. Bought another 1975 did all the same suspension stuff and install nitrous. Turbo-charged my bosses 1977 and kept my bin’s ex Scirocco/Bilstein Cup running. I love these cars and wish I still had one.
By lowering the car, stiffening up the shocks and using the correct tire pressures. The car will actually have minor oversteer. Which is an absolute blast in a front wheel drive car.
Only the basic models had the rectangular headlamps,(as on the Passat and Audi 80) of the time in Europe.These were the 1.1 and 1.3s. In practice this meant that, worldwide, almost all Sciroccos have the quad light set up, making the rectangular light versions quite rare now.
One thing’s for sure, Giorgietto Guigiario is a genius
I bought one of these between 2002’s (‘69 & ‘76) thinking it might be a less expensive alternative. I guess I expected “bug like” quality but it always seemed to me to be rather flimsy feeling. Was reliable though. I also seem to remember that they became rust buckets and that and the car’s lack of cachet, has meant very few have survived. Which makes this pristine example very remarkable. I’d seriously consider buying this one as a fun daily driver
Bought one that was a wreck, rebuilt it as a daily driver. 1 1/2 years of fun, drove it through an Ontario winter, snow, ice, salt, always worked.
Or course, I replaced the engine, trans, most of the braking system, gas tank, fuel lines, etc etc etc.
Total cost of the car was $800 to buy, the engine was $50, the trans came with it, I think the new paint cost more than all the parts.
Should not have winter driven it, or sold it.
Strangest problem I had, the oil pump pressure relief valve stuck, I had 60 psi oil pressure at idle, and more pressure than the mechanics gauge could handle at 2000 rpm. The oil pump drive is on the jack shaft that connects to the distributor, so my timing kept jumping, even with a new timing belt and tensioner..
Need this!! Really like the VW design of the whole range around this period, even if it’s breaks there’s plenty of repowering options from the VAG family
How much? I always wanted one of these growing up. Probably sold already. 81 same year got out of high school.