Bitter
CD

Why it matters

The CD was the car Erich Bitter founded his company to build: an Opel CD-derived fastback combining Italian-influenced styling with the proven running gear of the Opel Diplomat and a Chevrolet V8. Its 395-car run made Bitter a recognised small German grand-touring maker.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Bitter CD (Wikimedia Commons: Bitter CD)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Bitter CD (Wikimedia Commons: Bitter CD)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Bitter CD (Wikimedia Commons: Bitter CD)
  Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Bitter CD (Wikimedia Commons: Bitter CD)
  Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The design grew out of the 1969 Opel CD show car and Frua's 1970 interpretation, with Opel styling chief Dave Holls helping Bitter turn it into a production car. Bitter set up in Schwelm in 1971, and the CD drew 176 orders at the September 1973 Frankfurt show before the oil crisis cancelled most. Baur in Stuttgart built the bodies and assembled the cars on a shortened Diplomat chassis. About 100 were built by early 1975, and production ended in 1979 at 395.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

All CDs are left-hand drive with an automatic gearbox, built by Baur of Stuttgart on a shortened Opel Diplomat floorpan with the Chevrolet V8. Apart from small changes to wheels, badges, rear lights and interior trim, the cars did not change during production. Cabins carry individual VDO instruments with small Bitter logos, a GM T-bar selector and a semi-frameless glass tailgate. The Bitter register numbers early cars; one car is recorded as number ten, the earliest on the register.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Bittersweet: How Opel ensured its beloved CD concept became reality, albeit briefly Level B Hagerty Media

   • by the time the last example was made in 1979, the tally ran to just

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1974 Bitter CD | RM Sotheby’s Essen 2020 Level B

   • 395 built (99 for the 1974 model year)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   Bitter CD: Dream into action Level B Octane Magazine

   • Chevrolet's 327ci V8 (fully 5.3 litres), as used in the Diplomat
   • 5354cc OHV V8, Rochester Quadrajet carburettor (1974 Bitter CD specifications)
   • Three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (1974 Bitter CD specifications)
   • Front: unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers (1974 Bitter CD specifications)
   • Rear: de Dion axle, trailing arms, coil springs (1974 Bitter CD specifications)
   • Brakes Vented discs (1974 Bitter CD specifications)
   • Recirculating ball, power-assisted (1974 Bitter CD specifications)
   • Weight 1755kg (1974 Bitter CD specifications)
   • 0-60mph 9.4sec (1974 Bitter CD specifications)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   Bitter CD Level B Bitter Cars / Bitter Owners Club

   • V8, 327 cu in (5354 cc)
   • 327 cu in (5354 cc)
   • compression ratio 10.5:1
   • Rochester Quadrajet carburettor
   • 230 hp (169 kW) at 4700 rpm
   • at 4700 rpm
   • 314.6 lb ft (427 Nm) at 3000-3200 rpm
   • Wheelbase: 105.5 in (2680 mm)
   • 130 mph (210 km/h)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
5. 5
   1974 Bitter CD (The European Sale, lot 156) Level B RM Sotheby's

   • 327 cu. in. Chevrolet V-8 engine
   • automatic gearbox

   Accessed 2026-11-11
6. 6
   Bitter Owners Club: The Cars Level B Bitter Owners Club

   • built on an Opel Diplomat floorplan shortened by 10 cms and stiffened

   Accessed 2026-11-12