This is the sleek-looking 1991 Bitter Tasco concept (also known as the Baltic), a unique mid-engined design that definitely deserves some more attention in the automotive world. Speaking of design, multiple stylists contributed to this project including American automobile designer, Tom Tjaarda, who is responsible for various design work with some very well-known vehicles such as the De Tomaso Pantera, Ferrari 365 California. Also involved were designers Stephen Harper and Lawson Swinfield of MGA Developments. The interior design concept was crafted by Tony Peat. This group worked with Erich Bitter Automobil GmbH (Bitter), which is a premium sports-luxury automobile marque that produced vehicles initially in Germany and later in Austria. Bitter was founded in 1971 by Erich Bitter, a former racing driver who later turned into an importer, tuner, and designer as well. The Tasco was developed in collaboration with a company named MGA Developments (Coventry, United Kingdom) and while it certainly looks pretty, the project unfortunately never made it further than the full-scale model stage. The Tasco was planned to incorporate an 8.0L Viper V10 (although it was designed to fit anywhere from a V8-V12), and also a luxurious interior, allowing for both a road-car and race-car combination. The singular Tasco was simply a rolling chassis with no running gear or functional interior, and is reportedly kept in the Coventry Transport Museum. The Tasco started its life painted in a blue-ish/green-ish hue, but has since been repainted to a more traditional blue color, and has received some minimal cosmetic changes on top of that. It’s said that a second incomplete body and chassis was purchased by a private party who had hopes to create a functional Tasco, however, it’s publicly unknown what the status of that project is.
How many made? 1 of 1 (a 2nd unfinished body & chassis was also sold privately in period)
Engine: N/A
Debut: 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show
Top Speed: N/A
0-60: N/A
Photo Credit: @motorshowphotos.co.uk
Research: @rarecarsonly