24 Jun 08
There was nothing else quite like the Scirocco in the 70s and early 80s.
While Italian rivals may have looked more exotic, the Scirocco was far more dependable and practical on a day-to-day basis. Renault's Fuego came nowhere near close in either driving dynamics or build quality, and there was nothing British offering any threat. Only the emergence of the Japanese sports cars - the Toyota Celica, Honda CRX - posed any real challenge.
Though by the 80s feeling very dated, the Scirocco was loved enough that it continued on sale in some markets (including Germany) right up until 1992, despite the launch of the all-new Corrado (based on the Mk2 Golf underpinnings) in 1988.
The more expensive, more performance-oriented and high-specification Corrado never took off to the same degree, and lasted only until 1995.
Some 795,650 Mk1 and Mk2 Sciroccos were built - not bad for a 'niche' product - and good early examples are now collectable, practical classics. The Scirocco was the right car, at the right time - and its time is coming around again.
Review: Volkswagen Scirocco (2008)
