The Bitter Cars: A Sweet Slice of German Automotive History

When you think of German luxury cars, brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi may come to mind. But have you heard of Bitter? No, not the taste, but the brand of cars. Bitter Cars is a lesser-known German automaker that has been making waves since the 1970s. Let’s dive into the history and interesting facts about this sweet slice of German automotive history.

The Beginning of Bitter Cars

Erhard Melcher was the founder of Bitter Cars, a company that specialized in luxury cars. In 1969, he founded Bitter Engineering, which was primarily focused on manufacturing parts for Opel cars. However, Melcher had a passion for designing cars and had always wanted to build his own brand of luxury vehicles. In 1971, he finally got the opportunity to do so and founded Bitter Cars.

Bitter’s First Car: The CD

Bitter’s first car was the CD, which stood for Coupe Diplomat. The car was based on the Opel Diplomat, but Bitter made extensive modifications to the car’s body and interior. The CD was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1973, and it was an immediate hit. Its sleek design and luxurious features set it apart from other cars on the market, and it quickly gained a reputation as a car for the elite.

Bitter’s Later Models

After the success of the CD, Bitter continued to produce luxury cars. In 1979, the SC was introduced, which was based on the Opel Senator. The SC was a two-door coupe that had a more angular design than the CD. It was also more powerful and faster than its predecessor. Bitter continued to produce the SC until 1989.

In the 1980s, Bitter collaborated with Lotus to produce the Lotus Omega, which was based on the Opel Omega. The Lotus Omega had a top speed of 177 mph, making it one of the fastest sedans of its time.

Bitter’s most recent model is the Vero, which was introduced in 2020. The Vero is a four-door coupe that is based on the Holden Commodore, an Australian-made car. The Vero features a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 617 horsepower.

Interesting Facts About Bitter Cars

• Bitter Cars were never sold in the United States, as they did not meet U.S. safety standards.
• The CD was featured in the 1977 James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me.”
• Bitter also produced a convertible version of the CD, which was called the CD II.
• Bitter Cars were once known as “Opels on steroids” due to their extensive modifications of Opel cars.
• Erhard Melcher, the founder of Bitter Cars, was also a race car driver.

In Conclusion

Bitter Cars may not be a household name, but the brand has a rich history of producing luxurious and powerful cars. From the CD to the Vero, Bitter has shown a commitment to quality and innovation. With its unique blend of German engineering and Italian design, Bitter Cars will continue to be a sweet slice of German automotive history.