RE: Bitter

Wednesday 31st July 2002

Bitter

But not twisted. German GTs from the 70s and 80s


Author
Discussion

simpo one

Original Poster:

85,149 posts

264 months

Sunday 11th August 2002
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I saw one of these in Nottingham, early 1980s, near Broad Marsh bus station. I think I was on a bus (was a student so have an excuse!) and remember squinting to read the name. For some reason the name stuck in my mind - must have one of those 'Where were you when' moments.

Dazren

22,612 posts

260 months

Sunday 11th August 2002
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There used to be one in the Clifton area if Bristol 5 or 6 years ago. Looked like a Ferrari 400/412. The owner had a personalised plate which I recently saw on a late 80s merc SL, so he probably sold it.

Distinctive......Nice.....

DAZ

Nacnud

2,190 posts

268 months

Sunday 11th August 2002
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I know a guy who has one of these and what sticks in my mind is the size of the doors. They are based on the already large Opel Monza doors, but with an extra foot or so tacked on.

In the flesh - they make Cerbera doors look quite reserved.

Podie

46,630 posts

274 months

Wednesday 14th August 2002
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Spotted one for sale... www.petersmithsportscars.com/idxus.htm

£5995 - a 3.9 Auto...

owenemyr

287 posts

259 months

Monday 26th August 2002
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I almost bought one in 1990, but bought a Jag v12 cabriolet instead.
There 's one in Southern Classics in Manchester for a lot more.
ps wish i had bought the Bitter!

chaos

45 posts

262 months

Tuesday 27th August 2002
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I used to do summer work for a camera company in the Croydon area, late 80s, early 90s. The Chief exec there had a Bitter. Sounded great and judging from the look of sheer terror on the face of the marketing director when he had a lift one day, it must gone pretty well too

Never seen one since though.

klassiekerrally

2,543 posts

254 months

Tuesday 10th May 2005
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A (very) late reaction...
An uncle of mine was the Bitter dealer for The Netherlands.
IMHO the CD is a nicer car to see than the SC. The CD reminds me a bit of a Maser Ghibli.
A friend of mine has a CD which he is planning to restore in the next couple of years. Check out my website for pictures of that.

Great cars. Over here they're getting more and more expensive. A good investment?

Tog

4,517 posts

227 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
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Another late update from a lost thread. (Google to blame...)

simpo one said:
I saw one of these in Nottingham, early 1980s, near Broad Marsh bus station. I think I was on a bus (was a student so have an excuse!) and remember squinting to read the name. For some reason the name stuck in my mind - must have one of those 'Where were you when' moments.


One of the early UK dealers IIRC was Chic Wheelhouse in Nottingham.

dazren said:
There used to be one in the Clifton area of Bristol 5 or 6 years ago. Looked like a Ferrari 400/412. The owner had a personalised plate which I recently saw on a late 80s merc SL, so he probably sold it.


The one I've just bought used to live in Bristol, and was on a private plate, so probably the same one! Great car, now my daily driver. There are I think between 25-30 in the country and I've yet to see another on the road. I have rarely even met people who have heard of them...

Twincam16

27,646 posts

257 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
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I do like them, especially the SC with the manual gearbox. If I ever see one, it's mine!

Balmoral Green

40,660 posts

247 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
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Being an old fart, I have had experience of these cars in the eighties, I dont rate them. Bloody awfull GM parts bin mix with poor bodywork and yukky interiors. A bit like a 4dr Lotus Excel, except worse.

Probably better now as an enthusiasts car rather than a 'new' proposition when compared to other more mainstream fayre.

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Monday 23 May 19:55

Twincam16

27,646 posts

257 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
quotequote all
Balmoral Green said:
Being an old fart, I have had experience of these cars in the eighties, I dont rate them. Bloody awfull GM parts bin mix with poor bodywork and yukky interiors. A bit like a 4dr Lotus Excel, except worse.


??? The four-door was a one-off though.

Tog

4,517 posts

227 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
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Twincam16 said:
I do like them, especially the SC with the manual gearbox. If I ever see one, it's mine!


Err, only one RHD manual 3.9 made I'm afraid, and it's mine!

There are some 3.0 manuals about, and a couple converted from auto to manual, but only about 10% of production was manual overall.

Balmoral Green

40,660 posts

247 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
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Twincam16 said:

??? The four-door was a one-off though.

Was it, well, i'm getting on a bit now I do remember a motor trader friend of mine running one (not a 4dr, it was a burgundy 2 dr) and he said it was rubbish, he traded it to another trader who couldnt shift it either, nobody seemed to like it. Too specialist I guess. But as I said up above, probabaly a better bet now as a classic than a serious contender to its more bread & butter contemporaries.

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Monday 23 May 20:01

Balmoral Green

40,660 posts

247 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
quotequote all
Got any pics of your car Tog?

Ignore my derogatory comments above, I am trying to recall my memories of these cars through an alcohol induced fug

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Monday 23 May 20:06

Tog

4,517 posts

227 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
quotequote all
Balmoral Green said:
Being an old fart, I have had experience of these cars in the eighties, I dont rate them. Bloody awfull GM parts bin mix with poor bodywork and yukky interiors. A bit like a 4dr Lotus Excel, except worse.


There were I think only five four door cars made. However you're right about the bodywork - the early ones were made in Italy from recycled steel which didn't help, but they all rot like good'uns anyway. Mine needed a complete body resto when it was only 10 years old! As for the interior - red leather on every suface, even inside the armrest cubby and glovebox! With matt gold faced instruments! OTT 80's cheesiness at it's best!

Tog

4,517 posts

227 months

Monday 23rd May 2005
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Balmoral Green said:
Got any pics of your car Tog?

Ignore my derogatory comments above, I am trying to recall my memories of these cars through an alcohol induced fug

>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Monday 23 May 20:06


No worries. You're right about some bits anyway! I love it though - as I say it is a daily runner, and went to Barcelona last month too.

I'll get some photos up soon.

mustard

6,992 posts

244 months

Monday 19th December 2005
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One popped up in the Classifieds

www.pistonheads.com/sales/59548.htm

as Dazren commented very Ferrari 400/412.... with a touch of Mondial thrown in?

>> Edited by mustard on Monday 19th December 16:43