Ultra rare Bitter SC review: Would I swap my Jaguar XJS for it?

[@fhwolthuis]

Surely the Jag xk 4.2 or the Ford Fairmont AU have a bigger 6 cilinder? 😉

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I can’t believe I didn’t think of the XK 4.2! I even used to own one. I worry myself sometimes 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@adamhickford5502]

And the 4 litre six in the Jeep Cherokee.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@adamhickford5502 OK now I’m just going to curl up in a corner for a while - I owned one of those too (actually a Wrangler but same engine).

[@adamhickford5502]

@@GrandThriftAuto what straight sixes have the Romans ever made for us? 😁

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@adamhickford5502 😂😂😂

[@memorimusic420]

My granddad owned a Bitter SC 3.0 (still have the brochure). These are so interesting and I'd love the find the one he had (number 13) and restore it.

[@nicholaskemp2246]

I had the pleasure of meeting the one and only Terry Wogan who rolled up in one to where I worked in Marlow. After a good old chin wag with him, he offered to take me round the block in it. How lucky was I? I’ll never forget the smoothness and easy power this car had. God bless you Terry.

[@gastramp]

Always fancied one of these. Very Ferrari 400 without the price tag. Rare car indeed.

[@Bamsebrakar2011]

Exactly, and prettier than the 365/400 too

[@automotivegrace]

Sadly, Erich Bitter passed away in July this year (2023) aged 90. I had the pleasure of meeting him in 2016. A very interesting chap. An incredible achievement starting his own car company and bringing his automotive dreams to reality. Great video.

[@JAY61ish]

Very pretty car . love the styling .. It's got a Lagonda look about it...

[@drewsimpson5967]

Really good review. Bitter seemed to have all the right ingredients and really should have taken off in the 80s. Possibly brand snobbery held them back like it did the Opels that provided the mechanicals. Very interesting channel, well presented.

[@deanprosser5224]

Love these cars, my dads friend is quite established in the Bitter community in the UK and was once (may still be) the UK importer. I think that he still has a couple sat on his drive. Thanks for the vid'

[@adamhickford5502]

Really enjoyed this - I'm loving the interesting and unusual cars you're covering that seem to be ignored in most places. That wobbly pop-up lamp was marvellously Italian.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks!! That’s exactly what I’m trying to do 😊 I love that it winks like that. Presumably aimed at girls on the pavement. (Different era.)

[@tinplategeek1058]

The Bitter SC was used in the US TV sitcom "The Goldbergs" where it was described on screen as the "Austrian Ferrari". The show writer's parents bought a Bitter SC in the 80's and given the show is loosely based around his childhood, the car makes an appearance in 1 epsisode.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

🧐 It’s not very Austrian and even less Ferrari! I might have to seek that out though…

[@nickyboy.]

When I was a teenager I worked as a petrol pump attendant at he BMW dealership in my village. They had the Bitter franchise on the same premises for a few years in the early 1980's. The Mechanics used to jokingly say Bitter means that they are made up from a bit of this car and a bit of another car. The dealership was called G Eric Hunt - tag line on the BMW rear windscreen sticker was "Join the Hunt" They also had the Hartge franchise which was performance products for BMW. There was always some very nice cars in the showroom.

[@kevinbray9550]

Very professionally put together. 10/10 !

[@MontyGriffsGarage]

...sharing the inner fight we all struggle with each day. Thank you for bringing that 'Top Trump' car to the screen, and sharing the interior and driving experience of the German 'mini-Lagonda'.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I like ‘mini-Lagonda’!

[@fugawiaus]

Us aussies had various sized engines in our commodore ranging from a 4cyl, the 3.3 (202)six, a 4.2 (253) v8 and a 5.0 (308) v8. The 4 banger was dropped pretty quick making the 3.3 the little engine. The old 202 as it was known in australia was put in everything Holden made. We even dropped it in your Vauxhall viva, known in Australia as the Torana. Our version of your monza, our later Torana, had up to a 5.0 v8 but still came with the 3.3 six. Ford Australia had a 4.1 straight six from the 70s which evolved into the 4.0 eco tech and finally into the 4.0 “barra”.

[@markwgoldsmith]

My first "outside a car show" SC experience was one which, I think, was owned by a Britannia Airways pilot in the early eighties. The registration, iirc, was "PRnnnn". I've always loved them, frankly nothing you could say would change that!

[@AdamAus85]

Those door handles looked instantly familiar. Commodoreee

[@nickmoore2301]

Great video, fantastic looking car and the best bit of man maths I have ever heard at the end 👍

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks! It really is a great car, I'm so happy and grateful I got to try it out. I'm quite good at man maths at times, it's how I ended up with a dozen or so old cars. I'm trying to cut down but it really isn't easy!

[@Lot76CARS]

Excellent, can't be too many of these even in the UK and even fewer that have been reviewed, thanks for bringing it to us.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

You’re welcome, it was definitely my pleasure! There were around 26 built for the UK and the owner of this one is gradually finding other UK owners. But you’re right, there aren’t many 😊

[@Lot76CARS]

@@GrandThriftAuto only a slightly less glamorous note more than pleased to do a back to back with my Merc 190E and your Audi 80E / 3 Series

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@Lot76CARS I’d love to do that! The Audi still needs me to finish replacing the brakes and also to source and fit a windscreen first. They’re on the list…

[@androo4519]

I remember this from my first ever Observers book of Automobiles when I was a kid. I knew that book off by heart! I’ve never seen one in the flesh, nor any reference to one since then. Very interesting video.

[@Piotrek4500]

9:20 There was a special version of opel senator b, it was irmscher senator and it has 4 liter inline 6 engine.

[@julianlangdon3456]

Superb! Known of the marque for a long time but first time I've ever seen a review. Can't help wondering whether its priceless or worthless....

[@gt40mk1]

Another very enjoyable video Martin.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks! It’s a real privilege for me when I get to have an away day like this so I’m happy if it makes good watching 😊

[@eujeniu8527]

2 variants more variants appear in the memory: Toyota Prado has 4 liter v6 and Irmscher made 4 liter inline six Senator

[@g-man8705]

Great review of an interesting car. I'm pretty sure I saw a Bitter SC at the NEC show in '85 too (red?). I think the styling is wonderful from the front and side but the rear end screams "kit car" - kills it for me I'm afraid.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I quite like the chunky quirkiness of the rear view, to me it looks late-70s Italian rather than kit - but I do know what you mean.

[@BanjoLuke1]

On film, this exudes strong 365 GT4 2+2 vibes, although in the metal it does not. It is hard to pin down quite what the aura is. I have seen perhaps three or four in various places in my entire life... Probably all sightings were pre-1991. I think the strongest cue it gives is of relative anonymity. First, you barely notice it... and then when you do, you are not 100% sure what it is. That is a hard nail to hit squarely on the head: Bespoke but subtle. I think Bitter did that better than almost anyone. Maybe better than anyone. Even the choice of the "base car" (not an entirely fair description) was inspired. Those lazy, larger 6-cylinder Opels were always better then their status in the marketplace would suggest.

[@jonathandowman2770]

this has got me hooked! thanks!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I can only apologise 😉

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

nice to see Gaby Sabatini in a car show. Two of my favourite things

[@zzuave2666]

Great video. Have adored Bitter since I was a youth. Regarding bigger 6cyl.machines, many Jags, including the X300 XJR I owned/loved for several years and the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ (which I had for around 7 years), or the earlier ZJ,or the 'XJ ' (etc) Cherokees. Just subscribed after watching your Princess video. Rgds.from The Isle of Skye.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊 You’re right about the bigger sixes of course. I’ve even owned both an XJ6 4.2 and a 4.0 TJ Wrangler myself (you have excellent taste!) so I don’t know how I managed to forget them.

[@zzuave2666]

@@GrandThriftAuto Thank you kind sir ;) . Aye, we all have occasional brain blips! :) out of interest I had a "google" today and it seems, certainly post WW2, the Hudson Hornet was the largest 6cy. at 5,047cc in the form of a flat-head straight 6. have a fine festive time. All the best from my current daily driver (Grand Cherokee WK 3.0crd overland) and I.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@zzuave2666 Oooh that’s good digging, I didn’t know that about the Hudson Hornet 😊 Every day’s a school day…except when it’s Christmas of course, so compliments of the season to you too.

[@gregharvie3896]

Hi from Sydney, Australia. HDT (holden dealer team) Gm Holden Aust racing team had a variety of road cars sold to the public that has been enhanced with the racing "stuff" by selling these cars the race cars were homologated for all types of racing. Years ago, at one-point they looked at having Bitter shells built as rhd and shipped to Australia for completion to stop huge import tariffs. At 2 motor shows both a 2 door & a 4 door car were on display they were very smart and well-trimmed and a definite hit with the public for unknown reasons this project did not proceed. The 2 door would have been a sales success. The 4 door would have sold very well too. What played out was a bigger variety of 4 door Holden Commodore bodied cars, plus instead of the 4 door Bitter HDT-Holden made 275 examples of the big 17foot long Holden Statesman the HDT one being called a "Magnum". On a different note, re 6-cylinder engines. Late in 1984 Holden released the VK series Commodores, available in both inline 6 cylinder 3.3litre & 8-cylinder 5.0 litre v8's. The most powerful engine was the new creation injected 3.3 with basically 20% more power that the v8. People were shocked, how could this be?? The induction pipes are like no other car, strangely shaped and bent and in odd different lengths, it was a brilliant engine it sipped fuel like its carburetor equipped sibling but gave lively performance. However, it was costly to build and after the VK series, GM USA management said to the Australians, just buy a 3 litre 6-cylinder engine from Nissan for the following VL series. Now a RHD HDT 2 door Bitter coupe with the 3.3litre fuel injected "black" engine would have been truly exceptional.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

That’s really interesting, thanks!

[@mindblast3901]

Nice one I remember those Vauxhall Royales cool cars

[@fhwolthuis]

Amazing car, I always have been a fan of this design 👍👍

[@DavidDavid-kl4ru]

According to Stuart Bladon's "New" Observers Book Of Automobiles from 1984, the 3 litre was very over square. I imagine the stroked 3.9 was a decent upgrade.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I haven’t driven the 3 litre CIH engine, only the 2.8, but it’s a big step up from that. (And the 2.8 isn’t bad - smooth and quite torquey.)

[@benhooper1956]

A very interesting video on a very interesting car. I must say of the Bitter catalogue I do prefer the earlier CD, however I love the rear design of this car, the high boot and the sloped rear window are nice touches. The interior reminded me of the 480, mostly down to the windscreen angle giving a relatively small view out. It is interesting because as 1980s GTs go it strikes a middle ground between the Opulence of the XJS and the Theatre of the quattro. A very interesting car

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I suspect that the Quattro is objectively a better car in more or less every regard except exclusivity (not that the Quattro isn't rare and special), but let's not go there! The Bitter is a lot wider than the Volvo 480 inside and out so they don't feel as similar in real life as they look in the film, though you're right about them having a similar rake to the windscreen and (limited) view down the bonnet.

[@benhooper1956]

@@GrandThriftAuto Interesting, on a side note I have always wanted a Monza GSE (with the digidash and a manual box) so I imagine this is a similar experience (didn't it have an uprated engine in relation to the Royale?)

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@benhooper1956 Monza GSEs are lovely and yes, 3.0 injection rather than the 2.8 carb in my Royale. The Bitter is another step ahead again though with the 3.9 and assorted other enhancements giving a lot more torque and *that* noise.

[@benhooper1956]

@@GrandThriftAuto Sounds very nice, look forward to seeing what comes next!!

[@Rjhs001]

Well, that's a new one on me. What a handsome car, certainly looks a tad more practical than the XJS but I think I'd still plump for the Jaaag given the choice.

[@h7pubg]

most definitely reminds me of a 400i, we had one (400i) here in the US for sale with a very well done manual chevy swap for $25k but only with a bill of sale and not a title, made me suspicious of it having been a stolen car years ago.

[@dandandan389]

Such a muscular looking car without being over the top, lovely.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

That’s a very good description of it 😊

[@adriaandeleeuw8339]

The underpinnings of the Australian Commodore are most definitely not the same as the Opel, neither the agricultural Australian Overhead valve six nor its V8 engines either maybe the rarer 1900cc four cylinder version of the Commodore might be classed that way, but they were not at all common at least not where I live. As for your comment about the 3.9 litre six the Australian Ford falcons had several iterations of a 4.1 litre six and until they stopped making them the 4.0 litre Barra engine was used in Falcons as well!

[@willwelch5700]

The 4 door version looks sensational 😍👍🏻

[@GrandThriftAuto]

It really does, doesn’t it? Only five made though 😳

[@willwelch5700]

@@GrandThriftAuto shame about that because it's sensational! I'd love a bank balance to afford one of these 👌🏻👌🏻

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@willwelch5700 They went through the usual phase of being worth peanuts a few years ago, but they’ve picked up again now. Still relatively good value in the £10-20k range considering what some mass-produced stuff costs now, but that’s not Grand Thrift money sadly.

[@willwelch5700]

@@GrandThriftAuto ha ha exactly! wow! I suppose it's like most things now where cars of 20 to 30 years ago are now gathering a mass following and driving up prices. There are a couple on car and classic, but not looked anywhere else. Something a lotto win would sort 😂😂

[@Piotrek4500]

Opel senator could have also 4.0 liter inline 6 and 272 horse power. That was irmscher senator version, ultra ultra rare

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Didn't know about that one!

[@phwodehouse]

bentley mk vi has a 4.5 litre engine extended to 4.9 on the continental

[@timbitscat8933]

Mine seems to have the steering wheel on the wrong side, or maybe its just the drivers seat was installed wrong. I drove my 86 from Canada down to Mexico a few years back, ran it in the Targa Baha, was fun, but definity not as quick as my 635csi.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

That’s quite a run! I can imagine the BMW being sportier all round. What a choice to have though 😊

[@Andy-sh9eq]

Chrysler jeeps have 4litre straight six engines,as do some Australian ford models with the Bara engines

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Yup, I forgot the Jeep 4.0 and the Jag XK 4.2 and AJ6 4.0. Am embarrassed.

[@Mike-br8zt]

Interesting - I have a book about Bitter. It was written by an English owner.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Is that the one by Paul Griffith? I've borrowed it from the owner of the featured car - I haven't had a chance to read it properly yet. Weekend reading 🙂

[@Mike-br8zt]

@@GrandThriftAuto yes, I think there is also a German language book available by a different author.

[@sammythewhammy69]

That is an awesome looking machine, it bears a resemblance to the Ferrari 400i

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Agreed on both counts! You can definitely tell what brochures were on Erich's coffee table when he was thinking up his designs. Pretty though the 365/400 is, I rather like the Bitter's extra chunkiness -- and in any case it's amazing how well it stands up to the comparison with one of Pininfarina's finest.

[@jandlnicholsonashcroft2488]

I came across the bitter cd whilst I was searching the classic car guide looking for things I could get instead of an Elite. Mega beautiful cars but I decided they like the matra simca are too rare and not sporty enough. Then I found the monterverdi hai and I realised it was the Mangusta I'd never known about. Then I realised the price and went back to looking for Elite's 😂

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Brilliant! Obviously the Elite is the answer to more or less any sporting car question 😉

[@notroll1279]

I can understand a comparison between Bitter and Monteverdi (high end cars built on refined large mass built mechanics) and one between a Matra Simca and Lotus (sporty cars, affordable when new BUT....). However, there is quite a gap between those two pairs...

[@jandlnicholsonashcroft2488]

@@notroll1279 not necessarily comparing them on driving experience, more on visual impact and rarity. For instance right now I'm debating a 6 series, Jag XJ and a citroen C6. They're all quite rare, and interesting to look at but driving experience, cost and build quality differ.

[@fugutty5418]

At least you're not Bitter having met your hero..

[@GrandThriftAuto]

🤦🏼‍♂️

[@deanstevenson6527]

498 th like.🥝✔️ 3,0, 4.0, 4,1 Ford Falcon/Fairmont/ Fairlane/LTD, DBS Aston Martin 4.0, 4.1 litre Chevrolet Commodore/ Opala, 4.2 Jag, 4.2 and 4.7 litre AMC Jeep in US or Mexico, 4.2 FJ40/55 LandCruiser, 4.3 litre Chrysler Hemi 6 from Australia 4.5 litre DOHC 6 LandCruiser are bigger in line sixes. Have a great day, love the stuff you do

[@109-w7v]

Beautiful. Porsche 911 has a 4l six.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Ah, does it? I lost track at 3.6 a while ago 😬 Thanks!

[@benhooper1956]

Can't believe you managed to drive one of these, I had no idea. You could say I am Bitter about it Sorry I it is a No-Pun zone from here on...

[@GrandThriftAuto]

😂

[@OCCUPIEDNATION]

Perhaps what I really need is a straight six BMW engined Ferrari 250 California Replica, in Baby Blue....

[@geneva760]

Just to clarify - the Holden Commodore did not use the Opel 6. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Hello Australia! Yes, agreed - same platform, different engines, sorry if I implied otherwise.

[@workshop_deluxe2493]

Honestly? I'd even think of swapping one of my XJ-S' for a Bitter. Well, maybe for a CD... Oh, almost forgot: great video.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

If I had two XJSs I’d definitely swap one! 😉

[@workshop_deluxe2493]

😉😉😉 No way...

[@Andy-sh9eq]

It looks a bit like a huge Lotus Excel

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I see what you mean, especially in the picture I used for the thumbnail. An Excel in XXL? And with a boot.

[@milksheihk]

Jaguar straight sixes came in 4.2litres, Australian ford straight sixes have been most commonly 3.9, 4.0 or 4.1 litres for close to 50 years.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I’m kicking myself for forgetting the Jaguar 4.2 as I even used to own one - although it didn’t sound as good as the Bitter. I was being kind of European-centric there - I dare say there are some big US sixes (someone else can do the cubic inch conversion 😉) and I guess I’m not surprised to learn about Australia. Thanks!

[@milksheihk]

@@GrandThriftAuto I think the largest post war straight six car engine was the Hudson, 308ci, just over 5 litres, we built those in Aus back in the day too.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@milksheihk Wow, those are BIG cylinders 😳

[@milksheihk]

Australian Chrysler straight sixes got as large as 4.3 litres, & were the most powerful engine available in some of the cars they were used it, even ones that had a V8 option, in e49 charger the manufacturer's claim was 302bhp, but some owners allegedly got closer to 350bhp from unmodified engines.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

@@milksheihk I need to hang out with Australian car people more!

[@johndrake2729]

How is it that I have never heard of this car until now???

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Every day’s a school day, right? 😊 They’re very rare, with fewer than 500 built.

[@ultrafight4997]

That Car looks very similar to the Ferrari in the lotus esprit

[@alastairwatson3201]

I like Number 27. I really, really do. But Jack’s so damned cheery. You’re not. Thanks for that.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Lovely car.......but more importantly, not only do you have an XJS, a Gamma and a Vauxhall 2300S, but you have a Royale!!?..... you’re going to reveal next that you have a Lancia Beta HPE Volumex, aren’t you!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Ha! Sadly not, but an HPE VX is high on my want list - very much my sort of thing. I put down a deposit on a nice HPE 2000ie once but it turned out to be quite rotten underneath so I ran away. I do have are a few other old cars I haven’t filmed though…

[@richardw64]

Ford Falcon ( Austr.) was 4.1 and Chrysler Valiant ( Austr.) was 4.3 Now you know where i am in this video...lol

[@bryanmower2703]

Nissan Patrol 4.8 litre M-Fire straight 6 * pushes glasses back up bridge of nose

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Excellent pub quiz skills! Now that is a big six.

[@stevel9914]

Almost all Astons that had 6 cylinders ... the xjs 4.0 and of course Jaguar xj6. Not a lot in it though ... 300cc at best

[@stevel9914]

always fancied one myself .. like your work.

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I offer no excuses - I've even owned a 4.2 Jaguar and 4.0 Jeep myself! I was clearly having a bit of a moment. Thanks for not using the word 'idiot'.

[@stevel9914]

@@GrandThriftAuto best work has errors ... shows that it is individual/personal and has your dna in it.... otherwise we'd be robots

[@Jaxs2]

Now that's something else 👌👍

[@GrandThriftAuto]

I was properly star struck 😆 It's got to be the rarest car (when new) that I've driven.

[@huwevans781]

I’ve owned two Bitter SC models, a 3.0 manual and then a 3.9 litre auto. I now own a 1995 XJS 4.0 manual coupe. The Bitter is a very good car, I felt the 3.0 was underpowered but I enjoyed it’s manual transmission. The 3.9 has significantly more torque and I would describe it to friends as being similar to a 5.3 V12 XJ-S with automatic transmission. The 3.9 can be made to go fast but is essentially a lazy engine and it wants to waft around using it’s substantial torque. I think a 3.9 with the manual transmission would change the character of the car again. The Bitter does not give anything away in terms of build to the Jag, it is roomier and can seat 4 people. The Jag is more refined and I do like the cosy feel of it’s interior. I wouldn’t swap my XJS for the Bitter, but if I could have both that would be great!

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Thanks very much for this - wonderful to hear your experience of owning both. That’s pretty much the same view I came to: I was expecting to compare the Bitter to my Vauxhall Royale and find it similar but faster, but as soon as I drove the car it immediately reminded me much more of my XJ-S HE. As I said in the film, it’s a tough choice…I agree both would be ideal!

[@Bod8998]

Nice Renault model

[@stringer-ik1pc]

Is the passenger a 'mute' or did he die during the journey.??

[@GrandThriftAuto]

How ‘hilarious’. He preferred not to be filmed and I very much respect his choice. Since he was generous with his time and his car for our entertainment I’d appreciate it if you did too.

[@breitestermuskelmurkel865]

Oh yes,please gimme that pop up moment. O.o o.Ö the hell? Kill it before it lays eggs! Joke, of course not. Cool car .Grüße aus Deutschland

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Schöne Grüße! Die Pop-up Moments sind total wichtig - ich habe bei einem Honda Aerodeck Video die Scheinwerfer völlig vergessen und deswegen haben Leute geklagt 🤣 Seitdem, nie wieder!

[@darren1naudi]

When I grow up I want to become a V8....😶😉

[@GrandThriftAuto]

Ha! Fair, although a good six (like this one) is underrated in my view.

[@davestraight8219]

what the donkey said - 400i looks and opel deutschmarks spent - 20000 rpm were you going that quick :D bitter 1 xjs 0 - sorry martin

[@massimodelva5490]

Sadly not great car knowledge