Bitter Sweet Ride
Critics panned the SC for echoes of the Ferrari 400 and 412. That's exactly why I like it.
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Erick Bitter, a former race car driver, founded Erich Bitter Automobil GmbH in 1971. He's partnered with Opel ever since to create premium, unique, and timeless automobiles.
My favorite is the SC. Based on the Opel Senator. Launched in 1979, it remained in production until 1989.
The Bitter cars were supposed to give GM a dog in the fight with BMW, however, the Opel platform was perceived as an entry level brand; and rebodying vehicles had become unpopular
The few imported to the US were mostly sold through Buick dealers in metro New York City.
Critics panned the SC for echoes of the Ferrari 400 and 412. That's exactly why I like it.
All in all, 461 Coupes, 22 Convertibles and 5 Sedans were built.
But it was the Bitter CD that started it all. Bitter didn't have the funds to set up his own production facility. He collaborated with Baur GmbH to produce the car.
The CD found success at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show. Erich Bitter took 176 orders for the CD. Unfortunately, the 1973 oil crisis led to the cancellation of most of them.
Despite this setback, production began with a target of 200 units per year going forward. However, Bitter only sold 395 units in total.
The lessons from this Maverick speak to collaboration, grit, and capitalizing on relationships to achieve your dreams.
