Erich Bitter Automobile GmbH (aka Bitter) focuses on producing high-end luxury automobiles in Europe with a performance bent. Erich was a retired race car driver who later began building his own cars using platforms from other manufacturers. Between 1981 and 1989, the SC was largely a sport coupe at 461 total copies, though 22 convertibles and five sedans were also assembled. The seller has a 1984 SC coupe which we’re told is in nice original condition. Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, the seller is still looking for a buyer here on Facebook Marketplace because this is a vehicle that appeals to a certain audience. The asking price is $28,000.
The SC borrowed from the Opel Senator, which was discontinued in the late 1980s, thus drying up the source for the SC. The appearance of the car gives a nod to the Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, which was produced in the 1970s. An Opel 3.0-liter inline-6 was first used in the SC, replaced later by a superior 3.9-liter motor that produced a lot more torque (which one is in the seller’s car?). We understand that the SC was not available in the U.S. until 1984, which would help explain why the seller’s car has left-hand drive.
Few details are offered by the seller on this rare automobile. That, coupled with choosing Facebook as the place to sell the car, may be why it’s been on the market for 14 weeks and counting. With just 461 coupes produced in total, few of these German/Austrian cars may be left anywhere in the world, much less the seller’s garage (and perhaps a warehouse given one of the pics).
We wish we knew more about this rare vehicle besides it being a “one of a kind” and it’s in “original nice condition.” For example, is the two-tone paint from the factory, as you don’t usually see one that looks this way? The odometer reads 39,000 miles, suggesting a gently used machine at 1,000 miles per year on average. Is a Bitter a car you would make room for in your collection? Our thanks go to “Wraith” for the tip!
All countries in Europe are left hand drive EXCEPT the UK
Ireland…..
Yes these look great, but i now know better and they leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
The Bitter was the featured car in an episode of “The Goldbergs” where the father decides to treat himself for once in his life and buy a rare exotic car that “looks like a Ferrari”. What could possibly go wrong?
https://youtu.be/_UCQWs_IiXk
The show’s producer, Adam Goldberg (the youngest brother in the show), wrote that episode after an actual event where his Dad bought a Bitter that immediately stopped running.
In later episodes of the show, you can spot the Bitter parked in the back yard – I thought that was a funny and realistic thing to do with a car that slowly becomes a yard ornament.
This is a hobby car for people with the time and money to enjoy its exclusivity – not for anyone needing a daily driver: think Lotus Elan, Eclat, Excel, etc.
I have a 1985 Bitter SC 3.9L. Mine was parked for several years, but I have it up and running again. The Opal Senator A platform that it was built on was a rock solid reliable car, from what I have heard. Now that I have revived mine, It seems to be a good one. Handles well, very responsive and fun to drive. There is no rust on mine either, but I do have some cosmetics to take care of. This one seems to be the 3.0L, which would make it not a peppy as mine. Still rare though, but I think that price is a little optimistic.
That is one hideous paint scheme..! These cars were intended to look upscale and classy, whoever ordered this repaint surely ruined all those aspirations.
I really like these, but if I were to buy this and show it to my wife, I’d have both Bitter and Angry staring back at me.
These were popular in Beverly Hills in the mid-80s. They had a dealership near Rolls-Royce & Maserati of Beverly Hills on Wilshire Blvd. When I would visit LA back then, I’d see them driving around. They were quite pretty on the streets of Beverly Hills
These weren’t better cars. Just Bitters.
Lovely looking car. For some reason this was never offered here in the USA, at least I’ve never seen one.
There was a Bitter dealership in Beverly Hills when this particular car was originally for sale
Every time a Bitter is posted, all the same puns come out of the woodwork.
I love yellow and like the bitter but this one looks really odd
I saw one of these years ago in front of the local Oldsmobile
dealership.I thought it was a really cool car.