The Iconic 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco 16 Valve: A Journey into Automotive Nostalgia

In this episode of Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno takes a deep dive into the world of the 1987 Volkswagen Scirocco 16 Valve. He brings in Jason Cammisa, a self-proclaimed expert on this particular model, to shed some light on its history and significance. Now, I must admit, the Scirocco was never a car that caught my eye back in the day. I was too busy ogling over Italian exotics and American muscle. But Jay, being the curious car enthusiast that he is, wants to fill in the gap in his automotive knowledge, and what better way to do it than with a car that has a cult following?

As Jay and Jason chat, it becomes clear that the Scirocco was a car for the common people. It was affordable and accessible, unlike the flashy and expensive cars that were capturing everyone's attention. Jason, who has owned his Scirocco for a whopping 26 years, explains that it was love at first drive for him. Despite being a German car fan, he had never experienced a Scirocco until he stumbled upon one for sale in Florida. From that moment on, he was hooked. He describes the Scirocco as a lightweight, front-wheel drive car that loves to handle sideways. It's a car that brings a smile to his face every time he gets behind the wheel.

The Scirocco's design is a topic of discussion, with Jay pointing out the similarities between its rear window kink and the iconic Hoffmeister Kink found on BMWs. Jason reveals that the designer of the Scirocco, Giorgetto Giugiaro, also worked on the Golf and Jetta, all of which shared the same A1 platform. The Scirocco, being the second generation of the car, was a step up for Volkswagen, featuring power steering and four-wheel disc brakes. Jason has made some modifications to his Scirocco, including increasing its horsepower with a 2.0L engine and adding aftermarket strut bars for improved structure.

Throughout their conversation, it becomes evident that the Scirocco has a dedicated and passionate community of owners. While it may not be a common sight on the roads today, those who own a Scirocco cherish it deeply. Jay and Jason both express their love for the car, with Jay even admitting that it holds a special place in his heart. It's a car that brings back memories and evokes a sense of joy and laughter. In a world filled with flashy supercars and high-performance machines, the humble Scirocco stands tall as a reminder that sometimes, it's the simple, affordable cars that capture our hearts the most.