Wednesday 1st August 2012

Spotted: Bitter SC 3.0

If you appreciate the unappreciated then this rare slice of 80s luxury could be worth a punt

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If you have to ask why you probably don't understand. Then again, the Bitter SC is so leftfield it just about sneaks right around the back and joins the near-right.

Ferrari-inspired looks, Opel running gear

The knowledgeable among you will know all about former racer Erich Bitter and his car manufacturing business which, briefly in 1984, would stand as a premium brand at the head of the GM model range in the United States. Not many were sold.

The SC is basically a homage to the Ferrari 400i, using Opel Senator running gear. That sounds desperately uninspiring, but the Senator was a cracking car and, with its 180hp straight-six, it gave performance which, in 1982, was above adequate.

Initially, the SC body was built by OCRA, but poor quality meant Herr Bitter switched to Maggiore in 1982. His website says OCRA built 79 shells - this being a 1982 car, it would probably be wise to check who made it. Mind you, if it was made from recycled Lancia Betas, it would probably be red dust by now.

The smell of luxury, according to Harris

I was always captivated by the luscious interiors on these cars. A friend of a friend's dad had one back in the day - it didn't really impress anyone apart from me because it confirmed the existence of a manufacturer I assumed had been dreamed up by the Top Trumps team. The thing smelt so expensive inside - of course you were far better off with a 635 CSi, but then no one stopped to ask you what it was you were driving in a familiar-looking BMW coupe.

The interest in the Bitter comes not from the way it drives, more in the way it looks and what it signifies - a time when it was possible to do this kind of thing. A time before crazy legislation and Euro-control.

On reflection, it would make the perfect car for a CAMRA roadshow.

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BITTER SC 3.0
Engine: 2,968cc 6-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 180@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 182lb ft@4,800rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1982
Recorded mileage: 62,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £6,000

See the original advert here.

 

 

[thewheelman]

It has very similar styling cues to many other cars from that era, a flop of a car then, & it hasn't improved with age either.

[kyleecob]

CAMRA; Campaign for real ale?

[Klassiekerrally]

thewheelman said:

It has very similar styling cues to many other cars from that era, a flop of a car then, & it hasn't improved with age either.

Although I think the Bitter CD is better looking, I don't agree with you. I still think this is a beautiful car. Gorgeous looks, technical components readily available from your Opel/Vauxhall specialist. Not a bad combination.

[deltashad]

kyleecob said:

CAMRA; Campaign for real ale?

Haha.... nice cars just wish it had more poke

[aizvara]

kyleecob said:

CAMRA; Campaign for real ale?

Think of the name of the manufacturer.



I really quite like that car. Similar thoughts about Top Trumps; I've never seen a Bitter outside of that.

[thewheelman]

Klassiekerrally said:

thewheelman said:

It has very similar styling cues to many other cars from that era, a flop of a car then, & it hasn't improved with age either.

Although I think the Bitter CD is better looking, I don't agree with you. I still think this is a beautiful car. Gorgeous looks, technical components readily available from your Opel/Vauxhall specialist. Not a bad combination.

My dad took one of these as a p/ex back in the 80's. Two things I remember about it, one it breaking down on the way back from Portsmouth, & secondly how long it took to sell.

Edit: the car he had after this, a Matra Bagheera was pretty cool though.

Edited by thewheelman on Wednesday 1st August 11:38

[Skater12]

I saw either this car, or one VERY similar to it a year or so ago.
I'd like to think I know enough about obscure makes and models to be able to identify what it was at the time, but was stumped, and kept thinking it must have been some sort of Pininfarina one-off, given it's resemblance to the 400.
Looking at these pictures I thinks it's actually the better looking.
£6k, hmmm, almost tempted!

[Twoshoe]

Klassiekerrally said:

Although I think the Bitter CD is better looking, I don't agree with you. I still think this is a beautiful car. Gorgeous looks, technical components readily available from your Opel/Vauxhall specialist. Not a bad combination.

+1 I think the years have been pretty kind to it tbh

[rev-erend]

Looks like a Ferrari 400i which is good, reliable Vauxhall engine.

How could you / Bitter go wrong ?

[300bhp/ton]

Wow I think that looks GREAT!! Don't think I've ever seen one in person though.

[V8 FOU]

Sooo cool. And it has pop-up headlamps! (Says a man with an Esprit and toyota Supra...)
Very cool and good wafting car. Sumptuous leather, what's not to like?

[80quattro]

These things used to sell at a far higher price than these not so long ago. I like it, but not enough over my E28.

[Luca Brasi]

I rather like these

Never saw one in the flesh though.

[Parabola]

Love slightly oddball classics like this car.

I think £6K is a bargain for a motor that would sit proudly in a row of 80's Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes & Moteveridi.

There's always a tidy 2-3 car Bitter stand at the NEC Classic Motorshow if you want to see them in the flesh.

[Klassiekerrally]

I have to admit I'm a little bit biased: My uncle was the importer for The Netherlands.
Although I really dislike Opel and everything it stands for, I think this is a very acceptable compromise

[thewheelman]

Parabola said:

Love slightly oddball classics like this car.

I think £6K is a bargain for a motor that would sit proudly in a row of 80's Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes & Moteveridi.

There's always a tidy 2-3 car Bitter stand at the NEC Classic Motorshow if you want to see them in the flesh.

This would look out of place next to the cars you mention, it looks too much like a poor copy of the least desirable Ferrari of that era.

If I had to pick a rare 80's coupe, it would have to be the De Tomaso Longchamp.

[365daytonafan]

Very cool car although I like the unicorn rare four door version (5 made)even more http://www.quattro-porte.com/?p=63

[Toffer]

I reckon a better "Stealth Vauxhall" is the Lotus Carlton...more money but IMHO well worth it and also rather a rare sight these days?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4074131.htm

[Klassiekerrally]

The first batch of these cars were a few inches longer on one side than on the other side. Can't find any proof of that on the internet, but a member of the German Bitter Club confirmed this to me at the Techno Classica in Essen, a couple of years ago.

[Klassiekerrally]

thewheelman said:

This would look out of place next to the cars you mention

Not if it's in top condition, with the original grill instead of the one this SC has.

By the way: It's introduction was as a pace car for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. Erich Bitter knew how to get attention...