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VW Scirocco - unreasonableness of the seventies

Name: VW Scirocco 1974
Brand: VW

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Created on March 26, 2011

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Volkswagen Archiv / Werk

Bruno von Rotz

Volkswagen

Archiv Italdesign/Giugiaro

Volkswagen AG

Archiv

Volkswagen Archiv / Werk

Bruno von Rotz

Volkswagen

Archiv Italdesign/Giugiaro

Volkswagen AG

Archiv

VW Scirocco (1977) - a GT model with 1600 cc engine

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VW Scirocco (1975) - an early automatic model photographed around 1979

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VW Scirocco (1977) - the twin headlights were reserved for the more expensive models

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VW Scirocco (1975) - in picturesque surroundings

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VW Scirocco (1977) - Designer Giugiaro did a good job

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VW Scirocco (1975) - the famous double headlamp face

Bild von Partner Porsche AMAG Mai Foto-Galerie 2026

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VW Scirocco (1977) - the front shows some family resemblance to the K70 and Passat

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VW Karmann Ghia (1974) - the actual forerunner of the Scirocco

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VW Scirocco (1974) - pretty sporty for a Volkswagen, TS model variant

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VW Scirocco (1974) - initially the fastest variant, 85 hp for the TS

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VW Scirocco (1974) - the simple version had large rectangular headlights

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VW Scirocco (1974) - the simpler model with the rectangular headlights

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VW Scirocco (1975) - sporty appearance of the S model

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VW Scirocco (1974) - S and L model with different front headlights

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VW Scirocco (1974) - Rear view of the Scirocco S

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VW Scirocco (1975) - compact coupé shape

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VW Scirocco (1974) - a tailgate opens the way to the variable luggage compartment

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VW Scirocco (1975) - rear view with open and closed tailgate

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VW Scirocco (1974) - Interior of an early Scirocco with automatic transmission

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VW Scirocco (1975) - The Scirocco is positioned as a leisure vehicle

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VW Scirocco (1974) - View of the new coupé

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VW Scirocco (1977) - The Scirocco is somewhat flatter and more aerodynamic than its Golf GTI brother

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VW Scirocco (1977) - Rear view of the fast GTI

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VW Scirocco (1976) - Interior of the Scirocco GTI

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Karmann Pik Ass (1973) - study by Giugiaro, a kind of preliminary study for the VW Scirocco, already shown at the IAA Frankfurt in 1973 - Geneva Motor Show 1975

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VW Scirocco LS - pretty shape by Giugiaro - at the Geneva Motor Show 1974

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VW Scirocco LS - premiere as Karmann-Ghia successor in Geneva - at the Geneva Motor Show 1974

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VW Scirocco TS - presented for the first time, designed by Giorgio Giugiaro - at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show

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VW Scirocco TS - view of the beautifully appointed interior, priced at 14,040 francs as an LS and 14,800 francs as a TS - at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show

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VW Scirocco (1976) - Willi Bergmeister on the road for Jägermeister

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VW Scirocco (1973) - model year 1974 with chassis number 1, 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 51 kW/70 hp, 3-speed automatic transmission, color diamond silver metallic

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VW Scirocco (1974) - twin headlights were available for the better equipment variants

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VW Scirocco (1974) - came before the Golf and before the Alfasud Sprint, which it looked quite similar to

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VW Scirocco (1975) - the entry-level version with rectangular headlights

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VW Scirocco (1976) - with injection engine as GTI with 110 hp

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VW Scirocco (1978) - with new bumpers and front indicators extending around the corners

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VW Scirocco (1978) - The GTI is no different in appearance from its peers

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VW Scirocco (1979) - Model update of the Scirocco with new design of the bumpers and indicators

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VW Scirocco (1977) - Interior of the Scirocco GL

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VW Scirocco (1978) - Colors without metallic pigments

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VW Scirocco (1978) - Upholstery covers and colors

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VW Scirocco GTI (1976) - Part-load consumption curve better than for weaker model despite high output

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VW Scirocco (1977) - Design by Giorgetto Giugiaro for the Scirocco 2 - not realized in this form

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VW Scirocco - World premiere of the Scirocco at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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VW Scirocco - World premiere at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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VW Scirocco - World premiere of the Scirocco II at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show

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VW Scirocco (2013) - Special model to celebrate one million Sciroccos

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VW Scirocco (1976) - at the Techno Classica 2014

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Eberhard Kittler presents the Scirocco with chassis number 1 to designers Giorgio Giugiaro and Paolo Tumminelli.

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VW Scirocco L (1977) - an early entry-level coupé from Wolfsburg - Retro Classics Bavaria 2016

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VW Scirocco (1975) - ein frühes Automatikmodell fotografiert um 1979 herum

VW Scirocco (1977) - die Doppelscheinwerfer waren den teureren Modellen vorbehalten

VW Scirocco (1975) - in malerischer Umgebung

VW Scirocco (1977) - Designer Giugiaro hat gute Arbeit geleistet

VW Scirocco (1975) - das berühmte Doppelscheinerwerfer-Gsicht

VW Scirocco (1977) - die Front weist einige Familienähnlichkeit mit K70 und Passat auf

Summary

The VW Scirocco was also an indirect successor to the Karmann Ghia and the forerunner of the modern Volkswagen. Technically identical in construction to the VW Golf, the Scirocco was very successful with over 500,000 units built over 7 years. This was due not least to Giugiaro's design, but also to its good driving performance, safe handling and low fuel consumption.

This article contains the following chapters

Giugiaro and Karmann
Technical forerunner
Drives almost like a Golf
A real sports car with GTI power
The red danger
Difficult to find unmodified
Test reports, vehicle presentations, technical data

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Anyone who bought a coupé in the seventies could hardly justify it objectively. Less space, lower interior height, less storage space and a higher purchase price spoke - neutrally speaking - for the typically related saloon and not for the more compact coupé. But if design, appearance and a sporty driving experience were important enough, the coupé was chosen anyway. The VW Scirocco appeared on the market in 1974, shortly before the Golf, to which it actually owed its technology. It replaced the Karmann-Ghia, which never became a real sports car and was still built with Beetle technology - an air-cooled rear engine - until 1974. Like its predecessor, the Scirocco, named after a desert wind, was also built by Karmann.

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