Since cars like VW’s Scirocco are not seen as classics by many in the vintage car scene, they’re an unrecognized bargain. For some reason, Italian design plus simple German mechanicals do not add up to a usable classic car, yet at this point the Mark 1 cars are at least 34 years old. If you’re not convinced by age or design, how about the fact these Karmann-built cars rust with the best of them and can suffer electrical problems brought on by leaking windshield seals? Check out this 1978 VW Scirocco for sale for $2800 in Vancouver, WA.
This white car, which comes with original Scirocco alloys as well as a set of Ronal Turbo-looking wheels, looks to be in pretty good shape. The paint has a nice gloss (though this is not the original color for this champagne edition car), panels look straight, and while the actual miles are unknown, the car gives the impression of being well-kept. Squint your eyes the right way and you can see shared characteristics with the Dino 308 GT4, Lotus Esprit, and Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT, among others. You could argue this car will give you a lot less heart-ache with the same level of style, though at a performance sacrifice.
The interior looks great on this car – these were never meant to last 36 years, but this original, or original looking interior is pretty impressive. The dash mat is likely hiding all the cracks you’d expect in any car from this period, but it’s something you can live with. Of note, the two interior shots show a really tidy under-dahs area, so hopefully that’s a good indication the electrical system is in good shape. With a car of this age, though, it won’t hurt to spend a weekend with some wire brushes and contact cleaner to keep the smoke flowing efficiently.
And having mentioned a performance sacrifice, which you would have had with the original car’s 71hp, this particular Scirocco benefits from a later 1985 JH engine with GTI hydraulic lifter head, big bore Weber throttle body and a 4-speed from an early 1980s Rabbit, though the seller doesn’t quantify the benefits all those upgrades provide. While it has minor rust and overspray, it also has a new alternator and wiring, fuse box, ignition parts, valve cover gasket, tie rod ends and a front upper/lower Neuspeed anti-roll bar. One of the owners already installed an ah-ooga horn, which seems like an odd addition to a disco-era German car, but shouldn’t be hard to change out if you wish. So if you’re excited about the exotic styling cues of a Countach or Pantera, but afraid of the maintenance, or their inability to haul a bike in the trunk, how about this Scirocco?
Tags: a1, coupe, Feature, german, mk1, scirocco, volkswagen, vw
Rusty But Trusty 
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