VW's evaluation code for the VW Scirocco was EA 398. The Golf was actually planned to be
announced as the "Scirocco", the 53 would have been called "Scirocco Coupe". As you know,
VW changed this! The VW Scirocco (designated internally by VW as the Type 53) was
announced at the Geneva show in March 1974 - pre-dating by several months the announcement
of the other most significant VW of that decade - the Golf. The Scirocco filled the spot in VW's
model lineup vacated by the elegantly styled Karmann Ghia. The Scirocco's design was penned
primarily by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design, then refined in VW's wind tunnel at Wolfsburg.
The 1974 model was available with a 1.1 liter motor (Scirocco, Scirocco L), a or a 1.5 liter
powerplant in various configurations (up to 85hp). Apparently, for 1974 only all models came
with the large two rectangular headlights except for the TS model, which came with the quad
headlamps that were used on all models from 1975 to 1981.
In 1976, VW unveiled the Scirocco GTi to Europe. This was a true performance car when
measured against it's peers. The Scirocco GTi was equiped with front & rear sway bars, vented
front discs, and a high compression, fuel injected engine.
Model year milestones:
1975:
- Introduced to North American market.
1976:
- Introduction of mono wiper on front windshield.
- Fuel Injection introduced.
- Scirocco GTi unveiled.
1978:
- Wrap around front turn signals introduced.
- Black plastic bumpers replace previous metal or chrome surfaced bumpers.
1979:
- 5 Speed transmission introduced.
|
|
DATE
|
PUBLICATION
|
MARKET
|
MODEL TESTED
|
FUEL DELIV.
|
ENGINE
|
HP
|
WEIGHT (UNLADEN)
|
0-60 MPH
|
|
April 1974
|
Wheels
|
Europe
|
1974 TS
|
Carb.
|
1471
|
85
|
1710 lbs
|
11.0
|
|
Feb 1975
|
Road & Track
|
United States
|
1975
|
Carb.
|
1471
|
70
|
1930 lbs
|
12.7
|
|
Dec 1976
|
Road Test
|
United States
|
1976.5
|
FI
|
1588
|
76
|
1920 lbs
|
10.5
|
|
Dec 31, 1977
|
Autotest
|
U.K.
|
1977 Gti
|
FI
|
1588
|
110
|
1960 lbs
|
8.8
|
|
Feb 1978
|
Road & Track
|
United States
|
1978
|
FI
|
1457
|
71
|
1950 lbs
|
10.4
|
|
Nov 1979
|
Road & Track
|
United States
|
1979 (5spd)
|
FI
|
1588
|
76 (Ca.)
|
2040 lbs
|
11.2
|
|
Feb 1981
|
Car
|
U.K.
|
1981 Gti (5sp)
|
FI
|
1588
|
110
|
1764 lbs
|
8.9
|
|
