NEW! Award 49: 1979 Volkswagen Scirocco – SOLD!

October 11th Update: While updating our Malaise Monday database, we confirmed the private seller of this ‘Volkswagen Scirroco we first featured one week earlier deleted their Craigslist ad, so we’re now able to call this one “Sold!”  We wonder how close to what we considered to be a very optimistic price the private seller agreed to.  This one may have got away, but if you have your heart set on something similar, email us the details of what you’re looking for or call Rudy directly at (908)295-7330.

Personal Luxury Two Doors may have dominated the sales charts of the late 1970s, but we would argue the growth of two-door hatchbacks during this period was a significant trend for consumers looking for something sportier to drive.  A prime example was the first generation Volkswagen Scirroco and a great survivor is this Brazil Brown 64K original mile example last listed on Craigslist in October 2020 in Newark, New Jersey, with an asking price of $15,000.  Oddly, Hagerty Insurance has not yet started providing values for these hatchbacks. However, comparing this price against the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool confirms that this private seller has his Scirocco priced nearly double the #1 “Excellent” estimate of $8,500.  Even worse, the NADA Guides Classic Car Valuation Tool still considers these first-gen Sciroccos used cars as their current “Low,” “Average,” and “High” retail value range of $825, $1,225, and $2,050, respectively, well below what the private seller currently expects. Based on these data points, we have no choice but to give the private seller our latest NEW! (short for “No Wffin Way!) Award for an optimistic price the market is not quite ready to bear.

The YouTube Channel Big Car provides a solid overview of the Volkswagen Scirocco in this video:

While this is a wonderful and growing increasingly rarer example of a first-gen Scirroco the seller has to come to grips with the fact that all but the most diehard Vdub fans still consider this hatchback a very old used car in great condition. If you feel otherwise, this appears to be a great time capsule that will likely get you comments just about everywhere you drive it.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Selling my rare and classic 79 vw scirocco in Brazil brown exterior color and caramel interior with original 1.6 engine, stick shift , this vehicle has been parked most of its life , well taking care of with 64,000 original miles pa working odo, comes with a bunch of records and original manual very clean inside out was resprayed at one point if it’s life , no rust ,negotiable but not much if you serious in buying it , this vehicle is hard to find in good condition and it’s going up in value over the years based on other similar cars sold on bring a trailer , this car will go there if I don’t sell it here , reason I’m selling is I saw another vehicle I want and I really need the space .very collectible vehicle“

Do you have a VW Scirocco story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!