1985 Volkswagen Scirocco Storm review from UK and Ireland

Fuel Injection system mixture drifted out with time

Paintwork lost its lacquer

Fuel computer didn't work on mpg - I've never had a Scirocco where it does!!

The Storms were limited edition with full leather interior, electric windows etc and were only made for a year in two colour variants. They also had unique badging on the front with just art badging on the back - the original badging style for the prototype Corrados giving rise to the urban myth that the Corrado was designed to replace the Scirocco.

However, its wrong to think of Storms as a homogeneous group as the trim level did vary from good to very good with extra padding on steering wheels and all the normal VW options such as air-con, central locking etc. That said, I've never seen a Storm with all the options!

The engine was the very lively DX injection capable of 115bhp as standard, but easily upgradeable. It is the same engine as in all the later injection models (GTI, GTX, Scala) and replaced the GTI model that stopped in 1984 after only 2 years production. It was not as lively as the GTI I had probably because of the heavier body and it loses about 10 mph at the top-end on the GTI. However, 120mph was fast enough.!

The suspension had been done on this one and a Jetex exhaust fitted. Well worth the expense for the improvement in looks and performance. This baby cruised effortlessly on the motorway and growled its way around town. Turned heads wherever it went!

Reliability was absolutely superb and this is the most comfortable Scirroco I've ever driven. Ride is still hard, but its super-fun.

These are rare, but if you can get one, especially the blue leather variant, they are well worth restoring.

It was a day of some sadness when I sold it on at a pittance, but it went to a good enthusiasts home to get the paintwork restored which I couldn't really give the time to do.