This 1984 Bitter SC is an exceedingly rare example of a car model and company that had the best of intentions, but never managed to catch a break in the U.S. market. It’s a shame, because unlike other rebadged European-market vehicles, the Bitter actually seemed like a half-decent attempt to create a viable alternative to other luxury imports. This SC has some engine issues to sort out and is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,500.
The Bitter SC was the brainchild of Erich Bitter, and his limited model range was based on the Opel CD and Senator offerings. Obviously, the bodywork was given an overhaul, and the interiors were quite luxurious. There’s no denying the looks were attempting to evoke a replica of a four-seater Ferrari model like the 365 or 400i; whether anyone was compelled to buy one on the basis of its looks around is a data point buried in some obscure focus group archive.
The interior gives off vibes of Maserati BiTurbo, which isn’t exactly the spirit you want to be channeling. Despite the Italian vibes, the Bitter was sold new at select Buick dealerships as part of a partnership agreement with GM. It didn’t take off, as dealers didn’t sign up en masse for the chance to sell this obscure, limited-production highline car. I can’t say I blame your typical GM sales rep for not salivating at the chance to sell his conventional new car buyer on buying something called a “Bitter” this time around.
Engines were limited to 3.0 or 3.9L inline-six. Power output wasn’t bad for the era, ringing in at 177 b.h.p. or 207 b.h.p., respectively, but it likely didn’t feel all that quick given the emphasis on luxury. The seller’s car looks largely complete, which has to be one of the bigger challenges with restoring an oddball like this – where do you find spares of any discernable value? With a suspected cracked head, this SC will need attention under the hood before the interior or any bodywork is tackled, so I’d join a Bitter owners group immediately if a car like this is on your radar. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ken P. for the find.
I think I would rather own a Maserati. There are many ways to make a purchase decision that would make one Bitter no sense buying a car named Bitter.
148k miles, and engine not running, parts car.
Started reading the article and thought “hmmmm- kinda does look like a Ferrari 400i, not bad”. And then I saw the picture of the rearend. Yowza. It looks like half of the rearend is missing. I subscribed to every major car magazine back then and never heard of a Bitter, must not have sold very many of them.
I remember reading about it in Road & Track. And my friend has Car & Driver, I think I remember it in that as well.
What? Where are the Bitter puns?
I like these, but would way prefer the fastback model. This one’s a bank account drainer. Parts only.
Mike, I would comment on that but I’m afraid it would be a bitter disappointment.
Ahoi
I remember such a Bitter SC in the town where I came from – in Bavaria Germany, the land of BMW…
Well, perhaps only a parts car, I don`t know.
But, you have the place t store it – buy it and wait.
Or buy it and bring it to Germany – you will make money…
And yes, I know that car-shipping cost money…
Not good condition, but very fair price!!!
Best regards,
Till J.
These are rebodied Opel Senators, and as such there was once a supply of mechanical components. I watched a show today where they were recycling 2019 cars in a Europe that is flushing its middle class before anyone can figure out it happened, so it probably isn’t as easy to find support for older cars as it used to be when working class Europeans and Brits were permitted to own them.
Huh??
He’s just spewing more political crap. Some people listen to too much talk radio.
very well restored ones bring real nice money in Hemmings. This car, with an Illinois license plate, located in South Carolina, I would be more concerned with the structural aspects of it. It is rusting above the back bumper, so where else is it rusting, and yes, there are parts of South Carolina that can be humid. I’m thinking that the 6 cylinder may share some parts with the Chevrolet inline 6, but don’t remember. In any case purchaser is looking at serious money to bring back to drivable condition. Just my opinion.
The engines are from Opel.
Mmm. Those seats look inviting…not. This thing is lawn art.
The featured vehicle in an episode of “The Goldbergs”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UCQWs_IiXk
I have owned and restored more than a few exotics both American and European over the years. It is not widely known that all these exotics use a very large number of the parts on these cars are common to mass produced cars. Ferrari, Maserati all use a huge number of parts from the much lower cost Alfa Romeos. The same it true from Aston Martin and the Bitter is no exception. The engine, transmission is from the mass produced as are most of the chassis parts.
The most critical parts are the glass. You either have the proper glass or you don’t. You can fix metal or fiberglass but not vision glass. Even the interior can be fixed with relative ease. As for rust I am not certain that is rust or just dirt. Hard to tell with the near awful photos provided.
I have seen a few articles of this car compared to the Ferrari 400 series. While not a powerful it was lighter and handled better. For a Grand Touring car this would be a nice car to travel in as the visibility is near perfect.
I have seen only one of these in real life and it was a very dark blue metallic with a gray interior. It is a far more elegant designed car than these photos show. I would suggest that the seller show photos of the front grille parts to assure a buyer that they are there.
To me this is tempting, very tempting. If a BMW M3 or M5 Engine fell into the engine compartment This could be an amazing drive by then having the power that would match the looks with about the same weight on the front wheels.
I am lucky as I am in the middle of a restoration now. If I had a place to store this one I would be seriously tempted to make this an additional project.
I totally agree with your sentiments Bruce. When you consider the prices that are asked for some of the basket cases we see this one seems like it’s viable proposition.
I.m not sure that an engine swap is quite the way to go, rather I would seriously try and resurrect the original or at least replace like with like.
After a proper restoration you would be left with something really nice.
The big question mark is rust but there doesn’t seem to be too much – particularly in the places you would expect to see it.
Murray Goldberg wishing his Bitter still ran.
Lol I’ve been trying to remember the car from that show and couldn’t til I saw this posting.
Yeah, it was pretty obscure. Actually, the first time I saw it was of a shot on the backyard – there was a red sporty car just sitting in the background. I watched the shows out of order so I didn’t know the story behind the car he bought and it broke down right away.
The curse of us car guys – I had to know what it was so Googled something like Goldbergs sports car and it turns out that his real father actually bought a Bitter as a mid-life crisis fun car.
Kinda looks like it curbed his enthusiasm.