Bitter CD (1973 – 1979) Review
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Bitter CD (1973 – 1979) At A Glance
Italianate styling, a proper 1970s GT car with old-school German build quality and reliability, Chevrolet engine and transmission easy to find parts for
Predictably heavy on fuel, and disappointingly unresistant to rust
The Bitter CD's passage into production was an interesting one. It started life as as a design concept by Opel, first shown at the 1969 Frankfurt motor show. It was swoopy and had lavish proportions, but under the skin, it was sensibly based on the company's GM-powered Diplomat.
The concept was so well received that the company considered putting the Diplomat CD into production, but didn't have he resources to do so. However, it was down to former racing driver Erich Bitter, who'd found himself captivated by the concept and looking for a way into car manufacture, to turn it into production reality. And by 1973 – just in time for the oil crisis - he'd managed to do so. Just like the Opel Diplomat base car, it was a great car to drive, with bags of power and torque, and capable of being an excellent long distance tourer. The Baur built bodies are prone to rusting, but survival rate is high thanks to an enthusiastic following.
