CD – that stands for Coupe Diplomat and gives an indication of the technical basis, the Diplomat B with a 230 hp 5.4 liter V8 engine, which Opel brought onto the market in the spring. However, the metallic red sports car with pop-up headlights is only 1.11 meters high and, at 4.57 meters, exactly 30 centimeters shorter than the Diplomat.
At its premiere, Opel described the vehicle as a “vision of the car of the space-faring generation”. After all, the lunar charge was only a few weeks ago. The Opel people don’t lack self-confidence when it comes to writing: “The Rüsselsheim ‘automobile couturiers’ show their skills when designing the exterior: the Opel CD combines power, elegance and race.”
At its premiere in 1969, Opel described the CD as a “vision of the car of the space-faring generation”.
The abbreviation CD stands for “Coupé Diplomat” and reveals the technical basis, the Diplomat B with a 5.4-liter V8 engine.
The so-called grid model makes the technical details visible.
Because no engine or gearbox was installed in the design model.
The leather seats are permanently installed and the driver pulls the steering wheel and pedals towards him.
The futuristic vision of a two-seater luxury coupé shines with its extreme wedge shape and the all-round, curved, huge complete glazing of the front and side windows without A-pillars, which can be folded up hydraulically like a fighter jet. Original sound from 1969: “A lady in an evening dress can get into the Opel CD casually and with grace.”
The body of the show car is one-piece and made of fiberglass. This also underlines the technological demands of German engineering. The seats are permanently installed and connected to the vehicle structure, the cockpit including pedals, steering wheel and instrument panel are movable and individually adjustable. Of course, details such as innovative automatic air conditioning and a car phone are not spared. The engine, transmission and steering are not installed in the design model for cost reasons. Ultimately, the aim was only to give an outlook on the future Opel design. Instead, a technology model is built that makes all the details visible to the knowledgeable trade fair visitor.
The designers Erhard Schnell and George Gallion as well as design boss Chuck Jordan (from left) are the fathers of the Opel CD.
The all-round curved glazing of the front and side windows can be folded up like on a fighter jet.
The body tailor Pietro Frua was commissioned to produce two ready-to-drive prototypes.
In 1973 the Bitter CD went into series production. The customers include footballers Jürgen Grabowski (left) and Bernd Hölzenbein (right).
“At present, Opel has no intention of putting the Opel CD into production,” Opel officially announced in 1969. Opel sales manager Bob Lutz, who took office in 1970, recognized the image-enhancing effect of a sports car in the style of the CD study and would prefer to market it under the name “Strada”. However, this cannot be implemented internally at Opel. The first external attempts with the Intermeccanica Indra, an Italian sports car with Opel mechanics, designed by Franco Scaglione and constructed by Erich Bitter, failed due to the quality.
Body cutter Frua then produces two roadworthy examples of a new coupé study for Opel. The implementation fails here due to the capacities for further development and series production. Bob Lutz remembers Erich Bitter, racing driver, Abarth dealer and tuner, who, as an importer of the Indra, has long been thinking about creating his own car. After four years of contract poker, the blessing of GM and Opel finally followed: the sports car with the name Bitter CD was allowed to go into series production in 1973. Exactly 396 pieces were produced and sold until 1979 – including Rosi Mittermaier, Udo Lattek, Paul Breitner, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Heino.
October 2024
Text from Opel Love, author Harald Hamprecht, published by Delius Klasing; Photos: Opel archive