Model Page
Volkswagen Scirocco MK1
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Production Run: |
504,153 |
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Production Date: |
1974-1981 |
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Engine: |
1.1ltr ~ 1.7ltr |
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Built: |
Osnabruck, Germany |
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0-60: |
GTI - 8.8 secs |
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Max Speed: |
GTI - 115mph |
Scirocco MK1 1974
The Scirocco was a direct replacement for the aging Karmann Ghia coupe. The car was styled by the Italian car designer ‘Giorgetto Giugiaro’, who has designed many well known cars such as the Golf Mk 1, the Delorean DMC-12 and the Lotus Esprit S1. Volkswagen wanted a car with much more sporting characteristics than that of the Golf or Jetta. The Scirocco went on sale in Europe in 1974 and a year later went on sale in North America. The Scirocco utilised Volkswagen’s A1 chassis and was launched 6 months prior to the Golf in order to resolve any issues before the high volume golf was launched. The car was only available as a 3 door coupe. Customers were pleased as the Scirocco offered the practicality of a hatchback car while still looking, feeling and driving like a coupe. The car sold beyond expectations resulting in a mk2 version being launched in 1981.
1.5 ltr Carburettor
The car featured five engine sizes including a 1.1, 1.3, 1.5 ltr, 1.6 ltr and for the American market a 1.7 ltr. All engines were fitted with a single camshaft and an 8 valve head mounted on a 4 cylinder block. All engine featured a carburettor until the introduction on the GTi in 1980 which featured fuel injection. The Scirocco was launched with a 4 speed manual or a 3 speed automatic gearbox. The 1974 TS model sported 13” alloy wheels, quadruple halogen headlamps, two speed wipers, rear heated window and reclining front seats as standard. For mainland Europe the Scirocco was offered with the smaller 1.1 ltr and 1.3 ltr engines. These vehicles were fitted with 13” steel wheels and could be easily distinguished by their larger square headlamps as opposed to the quad circular design.
1975 Interior
The Scirocco did not change a great deal over it’s 8 year production span. In 1975 air conditioning was added to the options list. In 1977 the conventional double windscreen wiper blade arrangement was replaced by a single wiper blade. The TS model was replaced by the GLS which has identical engines and running gear however the interior was updated with vinyl and cord upholstery. Doors featured carpeted cards the windscreen was laminated and the steering wheel and ventilation system was altered. External difference was minimal. The GLS simply featured a plastic front spoiler.
In 1978 wrap around orange lens indicators were added. Additional exterior changes took place in 1978 the chrome bumpers were replaced with a plastic single piece wrap around bumper.
There were numerous special variants namely Sidewinder, Sidewinder 2, Champagne Edition 2, Storm, Gli, GTi and the ‘S’. In 1978, a fuel injected version of the Scirocco was released and made available to the UK as a left hand drive import until 1979 which saw the arrival of a right hand drive version. The GLi 1588cc fuel injected engine is the same engine that can be found in the Golf GTi. The Gli would reach a top speed of 118 mph and could reach 60 mph in around 9 seconds. Volkswagen released a special edition Scirocco Storm for the UK. This car featured full leather interior, new carpeting throughout and a black instrument panel. External changes to the Storm were minimal most notably being the flatter version of the GLS alloys wrapped in 175/70 HR 13. Additionally the Storm incorporated a large front fibreglass airdam. The GLi and Storm sported ventilated front discs however the rear drums remained. Cloth adorned the seats in the GLS model and featured new patterns.
The GLi later became known as the GTi in 1980. The GTi came with a 5 speed gearbox and featured 9 spoke alloy wheels as found on the Golf GTi. The Mk1 was replaced in 1981 by the MK2.
