The body, we are told, will be this season's must-have fashion item. Halfords is selling a Raleigh Chopper. Annie Hall trousers and wedge shoes are reappearing while Madonna makes a video wearing a leotard and leg-warmers. And then, to complete the picture of 1970s and 1980s revivals, Volkswagen announces it is going to make another Scirocco, to be introduced in 2008.
Originally designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and manufactured by Karmann, the Scirocco was – especially in its Storm version with leather seats – the acme of desire for young drivers who came of age between 1974-1992. Based on the VW Golf GTI, but re-engineered in every facet, the Scirocco was as good a car as a single person on an average salary could buy. Cut low to the road and with highly tuned suspension, it cornered like a stone
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neil lyndon looks forward to the return of yet another 1970s motoring favourite |
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on the end of a length of string (as we used to say) and was built like a brick outhouse (ditto).
The Scirocco concept – the Iroc – will debut at next month's Paris Show. Based on the next version of the Golf and sharing some of the looks of the Eos convertible, the Scirocco is likely to be produced with a wide range of powerful engines, including a new 260bhp version of VW's 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI engine. Transmission will be through six-speed gearbox or VW's sumptuous DSG clutchless system.
Now, if Rod Stewart would just record again with The Faces, Liverpool could be league champions and Lancia reintroduced the Delta Integrale, we might feel that the best of a lost age had been fully restored to us. Just so long as nobody thinks it would be fun to bring Harold Wilson back. 
FIRST POSTED AUGUST 30, 2006
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