Wednesday 31st July 2002
Bitter
But not twisted. German GTs from the 70s and 80s
Discussion
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.
Never seen one since though.
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?
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?
Another late update from a lost thread. (Google to blame...)
One of the early UK dealers IIRC was Chic Wheelhouse in Nottingham.
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...
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...
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
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 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.
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 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!
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.
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
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
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