The Bitter CD was the first and most iconic car produced by Bitter Cars, a boutique German automaker founded by Erich Bitter. Built from 1973 to 1979, the CD was a luxurious grand tourer that combined Italian-inspired design with American V8 power and German engineering. Only 395 Bitter CDs were produced, making it extremely rare.
Design & Styling
- “CD” stands for Coupé Diplomat.
- Exterior styling was influenced by show cars from Frua and Opel’s CD concept from 1969.
- Long, low fastback profile with flush glass and clean surfaces.
- Interior featured full leather trim, wood accents, and advanced instrumentation for its time.
Development & Production
- Based on the Opel Diplomat B luxury sedan, which shared many GM components.
- Final assembly and coachwork were handled by Baur (also known for BMW convertibles).
- Bitter leveraged Opel’s parts bin for reliability and servicing ease.
- Despite strong press reviews, sales were limited due to high pricing (near Ferrari levels) and the oil crisis of the 1970s.
Bitter CD (1973–1979)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bitter GmbH (Germany) |
| Designer | Erich Bitter, with inspiration from Frua and Pininfarina |
| Assembly | Baur (Stuttgart, Germany) |
| Platform | Opel Diplomat B |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR) |
| Production | Approx. 395 units |
| Body Style | 2-door fastback coupe |
Mechanical Specifications
| Component | Specs |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.4L Chevrolet V8 (327 cu in) |
| Power Output | Approx. 230 PS (227 hp / 169 kW) |
| Transmission | 3-speed GM automatic (Turbo-Hydramatic 400) |
| Chassis | Based on Opel Diplomat B |
| Suspension | Independent all around |
| Brakes | 4-wheel disc brakes |
| Top Speed | ~210 km/h (130 mph) |
| 0–100 km/h | ~9 seconds |
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