![Patrick Darnes’ VW Scirocco Mk2 GTX Classic & Sports Car - Your classic: Volkswagen Scirocco Mk2 GTX](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2022-07/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Your%20classic%20%E2%80%93%20VW%20Scirocco%20Mk2%20GTX%20%E2%80%93%2003.png?itok=aAgSt-Mm)
My dad was always keen on cars: I remember his Renault Dauphine in the 1960s, and how it suffered from front-end lift and brake fade.
He later moved to Volkswagens, first with Beetles, then a Type 3 Fastback, a first-generation Passat, an Audi 80GL and finally a 1988 Scirocco GTX – quite a rare model.
It is basically a coupé version of the Mk2 Golf GTI, with the same 1.8-litre fuel-injected motor and a very swish set of alloy wheels.
![The VW Scirocco Mk2 GTX is a coupé version of the Mk2 Golf GTI Classic & Sports Car - Your classic: Volkswagen Scirocco Mk2 GTX](/sites/default/files/2022-07/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Your%20classic%20%E2%80%93%20VW%20Scirocco%20Mk2%20GTX%20%E2%80%93%2002.png)
This VW Scirocco has been enjoyed by three generations of the same family
He purchased it in 1990 from a colleague, with 30,000 recorded miles, and kept the car until his death in 2006, by which time it had covered 92,000 miles.
Mum and Dad enjoyed holidays in Scotland, Devon and many day trips to Norfolk in it.
Early on, he had Koni dampers and shorter springs fitted, and I recall that the car was taut and handled well.
In later years, Mum complained about the hard ride so the original springs were refitted.
The only other non-standard feature is a stainless-steel sports exhaust system, which is rather noisy – but in a good way.
![VW Scirocco Mk2 GTX cabin Classic & Sports Car - Your classic: Volkswagen Scirocco Mk2 GTX](/sites/default/files/2022-07/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Your%20classic%20%E2%80%93%20VW%20Scirocco%20Mk2%20GTX%20%E2%80%93%2007.png)
The VW Scirocco GTX’s tartan seats are similar to those in a contemporary Golf GTI