Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II – The Time Is Now

7

Dale Vinten

We’ve all been standing idly by and watching helplessly as Golf GTi prices have skyrocketed over the past few years, with top examples fetching upwards of £25,000 in today’s market which, quite frankly, is prohibitively pricey for most of us. At the time of writing there’s a Mk I for sale via the Car & Classic classifieds for just shy of £38K! Well fear not, dear reader, because there is a way for you to own one for a fraction of that price, just so long as you’re willing to embrace a more streamlined, coupé body in place of that original boxy aesthetic. That’s right, we’re talking about the Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II.

Scirocco Mk I

Like the original Mk I before it, the Scirocco Mk II was built upon the Golf’s A1 floorpan, albeit with a slightly larger footprint due to a complete redesign and an increase in interior space. The original Scirocco was more compact and penned by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro. It was VW’s replacement for the pretty but ageing Karmann Ghia and actually hit the streets a full six months ahead of the Golf. It was a huge success for Volkswagen, successfully paving the way for the Mk II’s arrival in ’81.

Volkswagen, VW, Scirocco, Volkswagen Scirocco, Mk2, MK II, coupé, Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II, motoring, automotive, modern classic, sports car, car and classic, carandclassic.co.uk, performance car, car, cars, '80s car, retro

Production of the Mk II continued for eleven years, with nearly 300,000 being built and while these numbers are lower than those of the Golf GTi, making it a more exclusive proposition, the Scirocco’s following pales in comparison to that of its hot hatch brethren. The upshot of this is that prices have remained low, at least compared to the Golf and so there are bargains to be had. But people are catching on to the Scirocco’s retro appeal, its adept handling and its sleek lines, and prices are creeping up. Equally as reliable and arguably just as much fun to drive the time is most definitely now to pick up one of these sporty ’80s coupés.

An Introduction to the Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II

Volkswagen, VW, Scirocco, Volkswagen Scirocco, Mk2, MK II, coupé, Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II, motoring, automotive, modern classic, sports car, car and classic, carandclassic.co.uk, performance car, car, cars, '80s car, retro

Instead of using a renowned Italian design studio as they had previously with the Mk I, Volkswagen decided to keep development of the Mk II in-house. The second iteration of the Scirocco was a complete redesign but kept a similar aesthetic to its predecessor, albeit with a longer body and reduced drag co-efficient, and the influence of that initial Giugiaro design can clearly be seen. The new two-door coupé also retained the front-engine, rear wheel-drive layout of both the Golf and Mk I Scirocco and was offered with a host of four-cylinder engines. Buyers could choose from a lowly 1.3-litre, 70bhp lump right through to the top-spec 138bhp, 16-valve 1.8 that was released a few years later in the GTX model in ’85 – the same engine that was fitted to the Mk II Golf GTi.

Volkswagen, VW, Scirocco, Volkswagen Scirocco, Mk2, MK II, coupé, Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II, motoring, automotive, modern classic, sports car, car and classic, carandclassic.co.uk, performance car, car, cars, '80s car, retro

There were also myriad trim levels to choose from, along with various special edition models and the list of letters used on the various badges can be somewhat confusing but for the most part changes were limited to interior and exterior tweaks as well as the various engines equipped. As far as transmission options go there was either a three-speed auto or a choice of four and five-speed manual gearboxes while suspension was essentially the same across the board – Macpherson struts with wishbones at the front and trailing arms at the rear.

With its flared arches and rear spoiler the Mk II certainly had a more muscular look, creating a dynamism and intent that would draw people in who were looking for a sporting coupé in the image-concious ’80s. And it worked. Sales were strong and buyers praised the Scirocco’s taut handling and zesty performance. With more cabin and boot space than the original it was a practical car too and thanks to those Golf underpinnings it was reliable. The Mk II was perfect for a B-road blast and hardy enough to be driven every day.

Volkswagen, VW, Scirocco, Volkswagen Scirocco, Mk2, MK II, coupé, Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II, motoring, automotive, modern classic, sports car, car and classic, carandclassic.co.uk, performance car, car, cars, '80s car, retro

By the early ’90s however, tastes had moved on from the edgy lines of the Scirocco to more rounded designs epitomised by cars like the Vauxhall Calibra and Toyota MR2 Mk II. This was evidenced by VW’s own successor to the Scirocco: the Corrado. The Scirocco’s time was over and it’s still yet to have its Golf-like renaissance, but it’s coming. Trust us.

What Should I Look Out For?

While the Mk II Scirocco is much better at resisting the dreaded tin worm than its predecessor it can and will still perish if not properly looked after. The main problem areas to inspect are the rear wheel arches, sills and the seam where the sill and the floor panels meet. Door bottoms can also be susceptible and if the car is fitted with a sunroof check the condition of the seal and make sure the drain holes aren’t blocked. These are well-built cars but the long, heavy doors can drop so check the panel alignment too.

The engines are all tried and tested, robust units that are shared with other VAG cars. Having said that it’s still worth checking for evidence of regular oil changes. Every 5-6,000 miles is the norm. Cambelts should be replaced about every 60,000 miles too so check to see when it was last done. Bottom ends and cylinder heads are hard-wearing but valve-stem oil seals can fail leading to blue smoke from the exhaust. Parts are all readily available though so finding the bits you need for any repairs/rebuilds will be a doddle. It’s also worthwhile inspecting the cooling system for any evidence of overheating or headgasket issues – the usual checks apply here; mayo in the oil filler cap, disappearing coolant, etc..

Have a look at the suspension top mounts and bushes. If they appear hard and brittle and the ride feels harsh they will need replacing. Make sure the springs aren’t rusting or even worse, snapped and check the dampers for leaks.

Interiors are generally hardy but the dash can crack and if the seats are going to wear they will wear on the bolsters. Check the carpets for any evidence of water ingress and make sure that all of the electrics work, including the heater. Some trim pieces can be hard to locate but web sites like the Scirocco Register can help.

What Are Prices Like?

Volkswagen, VW, Scirocco, Volkswagen Scirocco, Mk2, MK II, coupé, Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II, motoring, automotive, modern classic, sports car, car and classic, carandclassic.co.uk, performance car, car, cars, '80s car, retro

Figures can vary wildly between base models and the higher spec cars, with special edition examples and the top of the range GTX models commanding the highest prices. A GT II is probably going to be your best bet and these can be picked up for as little as a few thousand quid but it’s best to buy on condition rather than engine spec or trim level. Bargain basement prices will mean dingy basement condition and if you only have a couple of grand to spend be prepared to put in some work. Budget around £5-7K for a decent example. Running costs remain low though thanks to great parts availability as well as that shared VAG platform. These are easy cars to work on too so if you have the time and the tools you should be able to carry out most jobs yourself.

Why Should I buy One?

Volkswagen, VW, Scirocco, Volkswagen Scirocco, Mk2, MK II, coupé, Volkswagen Scirocco Mk II, motoring, automotive, modern classic, sports car, car and classic, carandclassic.co.uk, performance car, car, cars, '80s car, retro

More than just hot air the Scirocco is a capable, engaging, well-built and affordable coupé that oozes style. The Mk II drives equally as good, if not better than the Golf upon which it is based. Not only that but it’s more exclusive, prettier and cheaper. That VW A1 platform is a peach and the Scirocco Mk II builds upon that recipe to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Less expensive than a Capri and a little fancier than the Japanese equivalents such as the Toyota Celica the Scirocco Mk II is a cool and sophisticated alternative to the plethora of hot hatches it was cutting about with in the ’80s. It still retains those characteristics to this day and while prices might not reach the heady heights of the Golf GTi they are certainly on the up. We wish we’d never sold ours.

If you’re lusting after a coupe like this, here’s where you can find a Volkswagen Scirocco for sale.

Enjoyed this article?

Sign up to our weekly newsletter to receive the latest articles, news, classic cars, auctions and events every Thursday - compiled expertly by the Car & Classic team