Upon graduating from high school in the spring of 1985, I eagerly anticipated getting my first car. But not the Mustang II my mother had held onto for me after she’d gone yuppie and bought a BMW. I made it clear I didn’t want such a slothful reminder of 70s malaise. As a go-go Reagan 80s teenager, I had higher aspirations.
What did I want? A 928 (though a 635CSi would do in a pinch). I also wanted Christie Brinkley to be my girlfriend. Disappointedly acknowledging reality, I turned my gaze to gen 1 Sciroccos. My mother grumbled but acquiesced because, with my graduation money and the proceeds from selling the ‘Stang, I’d be able to cover the cost on my own.
I soon found a single-owner 1979 model nearby. It looked good and drove well. The silver exterior was clean and, other than the ubiquitous VW dashboard crack, the black interior was similarly well-preserved. The seller noted his diligent maintenance, presenting me with a pile of service records, That should have clued me in to the high cost of ownership, but the heart wanted what the heart wanted.
And initially, I was quite happy with the purchase. Though it may not have been what Tom Cruise fished out of Lake Michigan, the car was a lot of fun to drive. It wasn’t exactly fast but was very hoonable. While trying to learn its (and my) limits, I took an 85 degree turn near my high school at around 50, hopped the curb and, possessed by some moonshiner’s ghost, somehow managed to pilot the car between two stands of trees until I found an opening where I could bounce back onto the road. Very invigorating! Once we resumed a more normal pace, my front seat passenger literally dug his fingernails out of the dashboard – more cracks! My backseat passenger demanded to be let out of the car, swearing he’d never ride with me again. (He hasn’t.)
At the end of an otherwise uneventful summer, I took the long drive from Atlanta to Virginia to start college. A few hours into the trip, in northeast Tennessee, the steering wheel started jerking in my hands and a rhythmic slapping sound emanated from the front of the car. It turned out my curb-hopping excursion had warped the front driver’s side wheel. (I hadn’t noticed before because I’d driven only locally, at low speeds, over the previous couple of months.) On top of that, the tire was bulging, ready to burst. I pulled off at the next exit, where there was a conveniently located auto salvage yard – and even more conveniently, the remains of a couple of wrecked Sciroccos. After an unnervingly tense negotiation with the attendants, I was able to pull an undamaged wheel, mount the spare and get back on the highway.
Not long after classes started, the Scirocco started showing its age. Though I was disappointed, I wasn’t surprised, fatalistically recalling the voluminous service records the previous owner compiled. First, the sunroof started leaking. Not a big deal. Then the gas cap lock disintegrated. Also not a big deal. Then the exhaust and muffler needed replacing – a pretty big expense for a college freshman. The head unit died next, which by then I couldn’t afford to replace. No more cruising with INXS in the cassette player for me. Shortly thereafter, the car developed an annoying habit of conking out when I engaged the turn signal. The problem was intermittent and I was able to restart the car when it happened, but it led me to stop signaling turns, like a jerk.
Things soon got worse. I’d agreed to take a couple of guys who also were from Atlanta home for Thanksgiving. We loaded up the hatch in front of their dorm and then … nothing. The car wouldn’t start. But I’d recently replaced the battery (yet another unwelcome expense). One of the guys called AAA. A tow truck soon arrived. A gangly, 6’ 6” hillbilly leapt from the cab, loudly inquiring, “You need a jump?”
“I don’t think that’s the problem,” I replied. “But we can try.”
The driver hooked up jumper cables and squeezed himself into the Scirocco, spilling out of it like a giant praying mantis. As other students walked by, some looking on sympathetically, some smirking, he turned the ignition. Nothing happened. He tried again. Again, nothing. He tried a third time. Once more, silence. Extricating himself from the car, he exclaimed, “Well I’ll be damned. Japanese piece of shit!” Biting our lips to keep from laughing, the three of us clambered into his cab and had a memorably absurd ride to a VW shop that made up for the day’s inconvenience. As we drove through campus and into town, the driver attempted to run bicyclists off the road while regaling us with graphic descriptions of what he’d like to do with (or rather, to) passing co-eds.
Fortunately, the shop was able to get us on the road within about an hour by replacing the fuse box. Another unwelcome expense – but at least the car was operable.
Unfortunately, electrical gremlins returned within a few weeks. Back in Atlanta over Christmas break, I attempted what should have been a routine merger onto I-75. I indicated I was turning left and the car died. As I coasted down the merge lane, powerless and down to about 35 mph, a semi loomed larger and larger in my rearview mirror. I was only a few feet away from being flipped onto the embankment. After several frantic attempts, I was able to restart the car, unclench my buttocks, and get the hell out of the way.
By this time, I really had to battle to keep the Scirocco roadworthy. I figured out that whacking the steering column near the base of the turn signal enabled me to quickly restart the car when the ignition short-circuited. But after a few days of that, the dashboard lights flickered out – for good. Then various interior pieces started coming off. Then the brakes went. By the end of winter, the never-ending repair bills made me conclude I had to get rid of the car.
Despite its shortcomings, I recall the Scirocco with more fondness than regret. Even though it ultimately was a letdown, it gave me Fahrvergsümthin’. It was nimble, looked sharp, had good ergonomics, and thanks to the hatch, was surprisingly practical. Even better, it provided me some truly memorable experiences. However, I can’t say it was a good car. By the time I got it, its components and systems were clapped out and the electricals in particular seemed irreparable. In April 1986, after not quite eleven months of ownership, I wound up trading it in on an even ricketier gen 2 Scirocco. But that’s a story for the next installment.
Related CC reading:
VW Scirocco MK1 – Irreplaceable, Though VW Keeps Trying
Vintage Review: 1975 Volkswagen Scirocco – “A Truly Remarkable New Small GT”
Vintage Review: Volkswagen Scirocco 5-Speed
I always look forward to reading a new COAL series, as the first car often makes for the most colorful story. But you apparently jumped out of the frying pan into the fire Now that’s some serious brand loyalty. I’m looking forward to that. And wondering if car #3 will be an actual “Japanese POS”.
Nicely told, and welcome to the COAL mines.
As numb-nuttedly stupid as I could be in my adolescence, I would have preferred something better for car #2. But there were extenuating circumstances, which I’ll explain in the next installment.
Glad to be able to a CC contributor. I’ve been following the site since its inception – before, actually, way back to when you contributed to TTAC.
Very enjoyable read. My father owned a first-year (1975) Scirocco that he bought new. It pretty much emptied his bank account too, with lots of little frustrations, electrical, mechanical, and build quality. Yet somehow, he loved that car, and like you, he looked back on it with fondness. He kept the Scirocco for five years, after which time he said he’d never buy another Volkswagen, yet he bought a used Corrado about 15 years later, and had a similar experience. And later still bought a Passat and had a similar experience.
I seem to remember from my mechanic days those cars and Rabbits and other front engine VWs had a habit of the bottom corners of the windshields leaking which dripped water directly onto the fuse block
yes and sometimes they would short and spontaneously start the engine. I don’t think any Toyota’s or Datsun’s were doing that sort of thing at the time.
I’ve known several people who had one of these first generation Sciroccos, and thier experiences led me to believe that Fahrvergnugen is German for “Can you give me a lift to work?”.
While these were awesome cars to drive when functional, they were problematic when new and only got worse as they aged.
By the mid/late ’80s they were pretty much extinct in these parts. Rust and persistent electrical issues seemed to be the cause of death for most of them.
A high school buddy had one, and he had a similar off road excursion except he didn’t miss the tree. Spent most of grade 12 in a wheelchair, and when he could drive again he bought another one!
For years, I recall seeing one of these parked at my high school auto shop. I believe it had been a donation from a local, and it was meant to be a competency car. In the three years I took auto shop, it never once moved, and our shop teacher only acknowledged its existence once, when another student decided to jump on the poor thing and walk over it.
The tow truck driver reminds me of that student. He drove a series of dilapidated 70s and 80s Chevy trucks, and spouted Reagan-era Truisms about Japanese cars, even when the situation did not call for them. He was very entertaining to listen to. Talking to him was a different matter.
Very interesting first car. I can relate to the constant and unending gremlins, given my own proclivity towards German cars.
Aah yes, VW Scirocco fuse boxes and general electrical issues. Replacing the fuse box and the ignition switch on my then-three-year-old ‘77 solved most of those problems for nine months I continued to keep the car, but other mechanical issues kept me busy. Wonderful to drive, not to own.
Around 1977 my uncle bought a brand new Triumph TR-7. He came to my parents’ house to visit and show off his new car. When he went to leave, the Triumph wouldn’t start. Unattended in our driveway, the wiring harness had a complete literal meltdown. I’m talking about a car with under 1000 miles. He had it towed back to the Triumph dealer and demanded his money back, then went and bought a brand new Scirocco. Even new, it was full of problems like you describe, but it was better than the Triumph!
Had a vague, indirect, connection to a guy driving a “78-9ish, Sirocco”, in the early “80’s”. It looked reasonably, well. Gold, plaid interior.(brown)
Recall some bubbling, paint under the doors.
I was fascinated with these back in the day. I still love the great Giugiaro styling. When I finally got to drive one I thought it drove very well. But I had to set the seat height adjustment at its lowest setting and then still had to recline the seatback a bit to fit in it, and I’m only 6′ 0″ tall. A couple of years later I bought a then new CRX and I fit in it just fine. I haven’t seen a Scirocco of this vintage on the road in years.
I was around numerous Golf I and Sciroccos in my shady used car days. The culprit for the electrical gremlins is the radio antenna. The rubber gasket decays and allows water to drip directly on the fuse block.
You fail to mention the mileage on your car. My direct experience off these cars is that they were designed to last 150,000 km, because that’s when major problems started.
This. At the time it was speculated that the antenna was added at the port or dealer and it was a while before Engineering in Germany figured it out. On mine the actual failure was corrosion on the printed circuit board interconnect inside the fuse box.
That might explain the diametric opinions of these things either side of the Pond.
Whilst the reputation of the modern ones is based upon ancient history, back then they were regarded as pretty good – until the Japanese learned to make really good cars.
I don’t remember what mileage was. I don’t think it was especially high because I wouldn’t have bought it otherwise. I think age was at least as important a factor in the car’s decline. Parts and components weren’t just very robust.
An enjoyable first installment that has me looking for more!
You make me feel particularly good about myself today. 1985 was the year I jumped into Fahrvergnugen with a brand new Golf GTI. I, too amassed that thick service folder, but it was all on VW’s Deutchmark and I decided to move on. I have often wondered about the experience of the young buyer who was upgrading out of a worn 76-ish Cutlass. Probably something like yours (although I hope not).
Love the car and your 80’s references. It was a very well – told story, and I look forward to the next installment!
Sold it and jumped into a gen 2.
Now that’s what we would refer to as a glutton for punishment. haha. Anyhow, fun read and it was all the more interesting because I also graduated in 1985!!
My first car was a basic (and I mean zero frills) 1979 Toyota Corolla Deluxe liftback. Silver with black vinyl seat, A/C and a one speaker AM/FM radio. It was a good car, but nearing 110,000 miles, so dad decided it was time to go before things started going out. What I don’t know because there was nothing to go out. Maybe the auto trans? Anyhow, a friend of dad’s had just gotten a Renault Alliance sedan and was bragging about it to dad. So off to the Renault dealer we went since the new car was for me. They wouldn’t even look at me let alone answer my questions. So I got mad and told dad I was going across the street to the Chevy dealer to see what they had. When I came back, I told dad that I found the car I wanted: a 1985 Chevy Cavalier RS coupe. Well, I kind of won as we ordered a brand new 1985 Cavalier CS sedan. That was a great car and I’ve stayed (mostly) with Chevy since. Although I have purchased 2 VW’s over the years and both gave me issues. Back to GM I went.
When I bought my 1981 Scirocco new some of the bugs had perhaps been worked out, but by no means all. Since it was as much a love object as a car it was serviced conscientiously, but there were still CV joints, wiring harness, head gasket, fuel system issues, etc., to deal with on what seemed like a regular basis.
At some point I started working much closer to home, and annual odometer increases slowed dramatically. When it was stolen in 1998 it had only about 160 000 km on it and, in Vancouver’s benign climate, no visible rust.
I sometimes wonder how long I would have kept it if it hadn’t disappeared from the street that night. ‘Cars Of A Lifetime’ might have taken on a whole new meaning.
“I wonder if anybody ever opted for green and red”
Here in my neck of the woods, that medium metallic green was the most frequently chosen paint option for the Scirocco Mk I – aside silver, of course. Brazil brown metallic was frequent, too.
A sharp & sporty looking car .
When new I didn’t care for the looks and that darned leaky radio aerial caused many to start and drive forward into whatever had been parked in front of it, same deal with the A1 Rabbit’s/Golfs .
The dashboard is truly a vintage set piece .
-Nate
I guess there is some truth to the saying there is nothing more expensive than a cheap German car.
My cousin husband had the same car for years until in early 1990s he got a gen 1 of Lexus LS. He got the Scirocco after he got his PHD from USC . He kept the car even he became a chief executive of a Taiwan computer company in US Silicon Valley. His car was over 160k miles when he replaced with a new car
I had a 78 Scirocco from 87-89 but never had your level of trouble. There were several service bulletins around the fuse box and relays and I think both of my Sciroccos had replacement fuse boxes and updated fuel pump relays which prevented electrical gremlins. Mine did provide my first epic wrenching moment when a stud on the exhaust down pipe snapped and I ended up removing the head to fix it.
On the other hand mine came from Connecticut so rust was a problem and I ended up scrapping it when the front strut towers started looking dangerous. I still stuck with VWs until 1997
Also had a ’78 “Champagne Edition” I bought in 1981. It’s still “sentimentally” my favorite car, though I’m glad I was younger when I owned it as I’m no longer a scrambler and it was pretty low (though I just got back from a trip to Denver where an ex-co-worker owns an ’88 Pontiac Fiero, which is probably lower, but was amazed I didn’t have too much problem getting in and out of it…it seems the doors are hinged pretty far forward, which allows your legs to get in and out with less bending, which seemed to make a big difference to me.) I’m about a decade older than the author.
I’ve owned only VWs since then….I’m on my 3rd, a 2000 Golf I bought new. I had the ’78 until I bought an ’86 GTi which I sold in ’01 after I bought my current Golf. I didn’t have as many problems with the Scirocco as it seems you did but mine was younger when I owned it…though I did buy it in Massachusetts but brought it down to Texas. Mine didn’t have a sunroof, which I think helped with headroom, though I’m reasonably tall, my torso is short compared to my height. I still think the MK1 Scirocco is one of the best looking cars I’ve seen…mine didn’t have A/C, and though i could have had it added, it started to have some rust (including rear brake lines which were inside the passenger compartment and corroded under soggy carpeting probably from snow covered shoes when I had it in Mass). I had it 7 years, 5 of them in central Texas, which I’m sure I’d never get away with now (much more traffic; I was pretty sweaty on the way home from work even with windows down but I could take a shower and change after work) without A/C which of course I made sure my GTi had.
Didn’t have too many electrical issues save an alternator short that required I disconnect the battery when getting out of the car (otherwise it would drain the battery) till I got it rebuilt. It had those European fuses with the pointed ends and the fuse material outside (instead of inside a glass case). Had a bit of problem with the 5th injector, some starting problems. Mostly though I remember going through brakes….the rears in particular for some reason.
I bought it after my ’74 Datsun 710 went into a guardrail (really cable) after I hit some black ice outside of White River Junction, one Friday night on my way from my apartment in Massachusetts up I-89 going to Shelburne, Vt where my parents were living at the time. The 710 was a very simple car and I’d had it throughout my undergraduate days but being a lightweight rear wheel drive car it wasn’t good in bad traction situations. Well, I got the bodywork done and decided I wanted something with front wheel drive to increase my chances…maybe I should have just waited though, my parents moved to Central Texas the next year and I followed them soon after. Probablly should have traded A/C for the front wheel drive in my priorities should I’d known that I’d soon be moving, and that front wheel drive cars would soon become much more common (they weren’t quite yet that way in 1981).
I sold it myself probably in 1988 (did the same in 2001 for my ’86 GTi). All 3 VWs have NOT been trouble free, but considering how long I’ve owned them I guess I’m used to them. They seem to respond well to regular maintenance, seem more durable than reliable, which I guess is part of the “entertainment” cost, I enjoy driving them despite them not being the lowest cost of ownership, and dealing with them when something goes wrong. Which interestingly has been varied; the problems I’ve had with my ’00 Golf are NOT the ones I had with my ’86 GTi nor my ’78 Scirocco despite all of them being A bodies (A1, A2 and A4).
Still sometimes wonder what my car buying path would have been had I not bought the ’78 Scirocco….if my ’74 Datsun hadn’t convinced me to get it….would have moved to Texas with the Datsun and bought (something else) probably in 1983 (my Datsun lacked A/C as well). Front wheel drive wouldn’t have been an issue but wonder if I’d still put up without A/C in my car till 1986? Nah, probably not…In that parallel universe, I could see myself with a Dodge Mirada (my Dad had an ’80 Dodge Omni 024 which he bought up in Vermont…also front wheel drive without A/C…probably the inspiration for me buying the Scirocco in the first place). Any car psychologists hazard a guess?