Биттер: История немецкого спортивного автомобиля класса люкс.

German Premium sports luxury automobile marque. Erich Bitter Automobil GmbH (Bitter) is a premium sports luxury automobile marque produced in Germany and later Austria. Founder Erich Bitter (1933 2023), a then retired racing driver turned automobile tuner, importer and ultimately designer began crafting his own vehicles after business ventures with Italian manufacturer Intermeccanica ended. Bitter specialises in rebody ing other manufacturer's vehicles and its initial production was between 1973 and 1989, selling vehicles in Europe and the United States. Thereafter, several prototypes followed with possible future low volume production, but none arrived until the launch of the Bitter Vero in 2007.

The first SC model to be launched was the coupé, which was first shown in 1979 although sales did not start until the spring of 1981. It was followed by the convertible, first presented in 1981 at the Frankfurt Auto Show and going on sale in the spring of 1983. The final version to arrive was the sedan, shown in 1984 and becoming available in 1985. Like the CD, the SC was based on Opel's largest model at the time, the Opel Senator. It remained in production until 1989. Exterior styling design echoed that of the Pininfarina designed Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 first shown in 1972, and later marketed as the 400 (1976) and 412 (1979). Bitter originally considered using a V8 engine; the 2.5 liter V8 from the Lamborghini Urraco and a Holden V8 both underwent benchtesting. However, emissions levels, fuel consumption, and high costs precluded their installation. The SC was originally powered by a fuel injected Opel 3.0 Litre in line six cylinder engine of The power was acceptable but not quite sufficient for a car of its price class. Overheating concerns precluded fitting a turbocharger and instead Erich Bitter opted to add displacement. He had Opel tuners Mantzel drastically increase the stroke, from , creating a 3848 cc version. Referred to as a 3.9 litre (engine code M39E, the "M" for Mantzel), this version appeared in 1984 and produces while also offering fifty percent more torque. The bodywork on these early cars suffered from quality issues, in particular being very rust prone. The four wheel drive system was developed by Ferguson Research who also offered it for installation into the Opel Senator/Vauxhall Royale. Only a handful of these were built. In 1984, Bitter announced at the New York Auto Show that it would enter into a limited marketing agreement with GM to sell the coupé version in the United States, through participating Buick dealerships. By being able to offer a premium European product, GM had hoped to regain market share lost to BMW at the time. The option of importing Opel cars was dismissed on the basis that it was perceived to be an entry level brand, relative to BMW's premium status. Ultimately, fewer than a dozen Buick dealers (mostly in the metro New York City area) would bear the Bitter signage, resulting in minimal sales. Bitter's failure was based on its business model with costs increasing and car manufacture becoming ever more complex, the market for rebodying other manufacturers' vehicles had been diminishing for decades. 1984 model cars were made to meet federal emissions standards by an independent importer, but engine components were melting and the cars were not making advertised power. For 1985, Bitter received help from Porsche and the cars were fitted with an oxygen sensor and a catalytic converter from Porsche. The version cleaned by Porsche develops at 5100 rpm and at 2400 rpm. Relative to the donor car, the Vero features unique restyling claimed to have cost A$1 million, which took about a week to install. and was discontinued in 2012.

In 2009, Bitter unveiled a "Vero Sport" at the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike the regular Holden Caprice (WM) derived Vero, the Sport was directly based on the short wheelbase Holden Commodore (VE) SS sedan, also sold as the Pontiac G8 in the United States. Like the Vero, the Vero Sport was also discontinued in 2012.

Bitter produced a luxury version of the Opel Insignia OPC between 2010 and 2013 as the Bitter Insignia.

Bitter produced luxury versions of the Opel Adam, the Opel Cascada and Opel Mokka. The Bitter Adam (marketed as "Adam by Bitter") has been produced since 2013. Production of the Bitter Mokka (marketed as "Mokka by Bitter") began in 2016. The name was changed to Mokka X (marketed as "Mokka X by Bitter") in late 2016 along with a facelift, just like the Opel and Vauxhall versions.

In addition to the series models, Bitter continued to present studies, some of which were even ready for series production. Despite repeated attempts, some of which were promising, he never managed to go into serial production again.

The Bitter Blazer was a modification of the Chevrolet Blazer with a new, Europeanized front end, which was characterized by a horizontal radiator grille and light units from the Opel Admiral B. In addition, there was a refined interior. It followed the concept of the Monteverdi Safari The vehicle remained a one off.

The Super Aero was a compact two seat sports car based on the Opel Kadett C.

The Rallye GT was a compact two seat sports car based on the Opel Manta. The vehicle had a Targa style removable central roof panel and was developed by Bitter and Isdera Erich Bitter predicted a sales price of DM 40,000. However, he refrained from series production because the supply of technical components was not secured in the long term. Nothing came of the Type 3 beyond the five prototypes, two of which still exist today. The other three were destroyed in crash tests. but was rumoured to feature a V12 engine.