1985 Bitter SC 3.9 Coupe, Rare RHD, Under 70,000 miles For Sale

- One of only 29 RHD Bitter SC's made
- Desirable Mantzel 3. 9L version of teh Opel 3. 0L straight six. Rebuilt only 8000 miles ago
- 3 Speed automatic with LSD
- Glass out body restoration and respray in 2018
- Subsequent circa £34, 000 mechanical restoration


Based on the Opel Senator A platform, Bitter employed the help of prolific Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti to oversee the exterior design concept of his second production car, the SC Coupe. With a complex production process covering multiple countries whereby early cars were manufactured in Italy, but had final assembly carried out by Bitter themselves back in Germany using the parts sourced from Opel. By the time this car was made production had moved to Steyr Daimler Puch in Austria ? with a corresponding increase in quality compared to the earlier Italian cars which were prone to extensive rust. And they were high quality, costing the equivalent today of some £120-130, 000.

These lovely cars are very rare in RHD and, being a later car, this one is fitted with the 3. 9 litre Mantzel Engine. Of the 461 Bitter SC Coupes made between 1979 and 1989 only 29 were right hand drive and only 2 had a sunroof, the other car being LHD.

This example is finished in silver over a black leather-trimmed interior and is powered by the desirable 3. 9 Mantzel tuned version of the Opel 3. 0-litre straight six. This has an estimated 210 bhp (up from 180bhp) and, as it is a long stroke conversion, has loads of torque which works really well with the 3 speed automatic transmission (plus a LSD). This particular engine enjoyed a full rebuild in 2019 (and only 8000 miles or so ago) costing around £8, 000.

It rides on a set of 15-inch Ronal five-spoke alloys which, though they look familiar from the Senator, are in fact sourced from the equally rare Opel Manta 400. They are in excellent condition with no kerbing and are shod in recent Continental EcoContact 6 tyres (dated late 2020).

The leather interior is supremely comfortable with light wooden inlay on the centre console, grey accents on the steering wheel, and champagne dials. As with all Bitters, every single inch of the interior has been covered in leather ? including the inside of the glovebox and the A-pillars for example. The headlining has been replaced with factory correct material which was sourced from Christian Lacroix and it sports a fine set of custom made Coco mats. The car is fitted with a 'retro' Blaupunkt stereo which provides Bluetooth music streaming, hands free phone and a DAB tuner.

Originally ordered new by an American gentleman who used the car when he visited the UK ? having 2 other Bitters in the US. It was therefore used very sparingly for 20 years or so and kept by all accounts in an underground garage in Hyde Park. Accompanying the car is a large file of invoices covering both recent and historic maintenance, photographs of the cars body restoration in 2018, some tools, a spare steering wheel, a parts booklet, as well as the original German documents, copies of the Bitter Owner?s Club magazine, and a selection of period brochures and advertisements. The car itself was featured in Classic and Sportscar in 2020 and a copy of the magazine is included. Finally, there is even a matching model.

The car benefitted from a glass-out bodywork restoration in 2018 which has photographic evidence. This was carried out by an Opel/ Bitter specialist who then sold the car in 2018 for some £24, 000. The bodywork still presents very well with only a few minor areas of deterioration.

The fourth owner then took what was a pretty sound base forwards between 2018 and 2022 when the car underwent an extensive mechanical and electrical restoration that cost a documented £34, 000 (both invoices and the full email trail being on file). This work included the aforementioned engine rebuild and electric work as well as attention to most other mechanical aspects and refurbishment of the sunroof. As a result, the car now drives extremely well.

The latest major service was carried out in 2021 at 64, 990 miles by Mercedes-Benz specialist Edward Hall. The work comprised of an engine oil and oil filter change, along with the replacement of the sunroof seal, sump gasket, idle air control valve, and fuel pipes, the steering box was also refurbished, and the wheels were realigned.

The most recent MOT test was conducted on 22 June 2023 at 69, 317 miles, resulting in a pass with no noted advisories. The car will be supplied serviced.

There are many more photographs available on the website. Delivery can be arranged