Bitter SC Coupé

SC Coupe SC Cabriolet SC Sedan

1981
1982
1983


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1984
1985
1986


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1979 Prototype - Technical drawing - 1984 Pricelist

Mechanically the SC retained the Senator's engine and running gear with only minor modifications. A Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system feeding the 3 litre single overhead camshaft in-line six provided the power for the earlier cars, pushing out a peak of 180 bhp at 5800 rpm and 182 lbs ft of torque at 4800 rpm. Erich Bitter realised early in the SC's life that his new car was lacking the performance its image and price suggested it had. In 1983 Erich Bitter approached the German tuning company of Manzel who also carried out work for Porsche. Leaving the 3 litre's 95 mm bore untouched, Manzel extended the crankshaft from 69,8 mm to 90,5 mm. He also modified the con rods, pistons, inlet and outlet valves and the cylinder head. Stroked out to 3848 cc the Manzel engine produced 210 bhp at 5100 rpm and a torque of 257 lb ft at 3400 rpm. When the 3.9 litre engine was introduced in summer 1984 it was an option but it was so desirable that almost every SC from late 1984 onwards was specified with this very successful upgrade.

Coupled to either the 3 litre or 3.9 litre was a five speed Getrag gearbox or a GM three speed automatic which was a no-cost option. The Getrag unit, as fitted to the large BMW's, offered short, crisp changes with the minimum of effort. The ratios were well spaced and the clutch was surprisingly light in operation. The three speed automatic gearbox was reputed to be almost indestructible and could comfortably take the torque of the 3.9 litre engine. Only 10% of SC's were specified with the five speed Getrag manual gearbox.

SC's were available with a Ferguson Formula four wheel drive, pioneered on the Jensen FF in the late sixties. Only two cars, both from the U.K., were converted.

During its lifetime the SC received several minor interior and body styling changes, although the bodyshell remained unchanged. Areas that have received changes are door frames and side window frames painting, bumpers, grille, front Bitter badge, rear Bitter badge, front lights, rear fog lights, wing mirrors, front and rear wing reflectors, instrument binnacle, centre console, interior trim, method of opening the boot.

At the end of production Bitter produced 462 SC Coupés, 433 LHD and 29 RHD.


ENGINE
3.0
3.9
ConfigurationL6L6L6L6
Displacement181 cu in2968 cc235 cu in3848 cc
Bore x Stroke3.74 in x 2.75 in95,0 mm x 69,8 mm3.74 in x 3.56 in95,0 mm x 90,5 mm
Compression ratio9.4 : 19,4 : 19.4 : 19,4 : 1
Fuel deliveryBosch L-Jetronic injectionBosch L-Jetronic injectionBosch L-Jetronic injectionBosch L-Jetronic injection
Horsepower180 hp at 5800 rpm180 hp at 5800 rpm210 hp at 5100 rpm210 hp at 5100 rpm
Torque182 lb ft at 4800 rpm248 Nm at 4800 rpm257 lb ft at 3400 rpm327 Nm at 3400 rpm
DIMENSIONS
Narrow profile bumpers
American specification bumpers
Length190.9 in4850 mm193.3 in4910 mm
Width71.7 in1820 mm71.7 in1820 mm
Height53.1 in1350 mm53.1 in1350 mm
Weight (aut./man.)3380 lbs / 3336 lbs1535 kg / 1515 kg3439 lbs / 3395 lbs1560 kg / 1540 kg
Wheelbase105.6 in2683 mm105.6 in2683 mm
Track (front/rear)57.8 in / 59.6 in1467 mm / 1514 mm58 in / 60 in1473 mm / 1524 mm
Wheels (front/rear)7 J 15 / 8 J 157 J 15 / 8 J 157 J 15 / 8 J 157 J 15 / 8 J 15
Tires (front/rear)215-60 VR 15 / 235-55 VR 15 215-60 VR 15 / 235-55 VR 15 215-60 VR 15 / 235-55 VR 15 215-60 VR 15 / 235-55 VR 15
PERFORMANCE
Top speed (aut./man.)130 mph / 133 mph210 km/h / 215 km/h137 mph / 142 mph220 km/h / 230 km/h
Acceleration (aut./man.)0 - 60 mph : 9.4 sec / 8.4 sec0-100 km/h : 9,6 sec / 8,6 sec0 - 60 mph : 8.4 sec / 7.4 sec0-100 km/h : 8,6 sec / 7,6 sec