Bitter CD – 1977
Marca : Bitter
Modello : CD
Anno : 1977
Telaio N. : —
Motore N. : —
Esemplari prodotti : 395
Designer : pietro frua
Motore : 8 cilindri a V di 90°
Cilindrata : 5.354 cc
Distribuzione : OHV
Valvole Cilindro : 2
Alimentazione : 1 carb. Holley
Potenza : 230 CV a 4.700 giri/min
Top speed Km/h : 210
Images courtesy of Thiesen
The CD was first shown in prototype form on 9 September 1969 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, as the Opel Coupé Diplomat (“CD”) derived from the sedan version. It was designed by Charles M. “Chuck” Jordan (Opel's Design boss between 1967-1971 and later vice-president of General Motors (GM)) with the assistance of George A. Gallion, David Holls, Herbert Killmer and Hideo Kodama, as well as Erhard Fast (Director of the Opel Designstudios 3 for Advanced Design from 1964). The tail was inspired on a proposal by Erhard Fast's for the 1969 Opel Aero GT.
Thanks to the positive reaction to the CD prototype, Opel considered developing a production models. The doors would adopt a conventional opening system and the bumper bar, windshield wipers and other parts would be derived from the Opel Diplomat in order to facilitate production and maintain costs. Robert “Bob” Lutz, who was the Head of Opel at the time and was keen to produce the car, commissioned Pietro Frua to advance the concept and produce two road-going prototypes
In 1971, it was David R. “Dave” Holls (Opel design boss since 7/1971; previously assistant to Charles M. “Chuck” Jordan) who encouraged Erich Bitter to build the Bitter CD. As a result, Bitter GMBH was formed in 1971 to market the CD. He based his company on a 1-acre (4,000 m2) site in his home town of Schwelm, Germany.
