[MDLSLK55]

Let's also not forget that the quality of the pictures will make a huge difference in the representation of the color. You absolutely cannot fully appreciate Caspian Blue (or, IMHO, the lines of an SLK in general) unless you see it in person.

 

[Duo-Art]

Even seeing one in person can be deceiving. In 2004 I attended a Mercedes event where they had a Caspian Blue SLK on display. The sky was quite overcast and I didn't think much of the car. Later in the event, the sun came out and I had to do a double take. I thought it was a different car. It looked great. Also, beware of looking at a car in a dealer's show room. The type of ceiling lights can greatly effect the appearance.

 

[garulys]

Hi everybody,
here are some pictures of my former SLK 350 I changed in august 2006 for a SLK55AMG Peformance Package, the one you saw probably on the video SLK350 vs 55AMG Pursuit :biglaugh:

Both are benitoïte blue (the name they give in Europe for Caspian blue)

The most changing colour I have ever seen :tu:

Hervé431's SLK280 and my 55

unique hand made persian carpets

Nürburgring sept 2007

Charade oct 2007 , but this one you know already

 

[alroumi]

What a beautiful car, Caspian blue is a very rich colour in texture and appeal.

 

[ir-ops]

beautiful, beautiful...

 

[Zut]

Thanks for all these great photos. I am so glad I went for this glorious colour!

BTW, as of this year, Canadian SLKs have European colour names. So, I bought a Caspian blue SLK and I now drive a Benitoite blue SLK! :Banane04::Banane04::Banane04:

 

[FishtailnZ]

GREAT pics garulys!

 

[jbanks15]

too bad that color is not available for 09

 

[garulys]

Thanks to all of you R)

 

[garulys]

Do you know what benitoite is ? (here we pronounce benito-it as many gems have names with tne end "ite" [calcite, pyrite, andradite, tanzanite, cubanite....])
The name of metalic colours chosen by MB for SLK is chosen among gemstones minerals.
The benitoite is a very rare blue silicate mineral you find only in one place in the world in San Benito County (California)
http://imageshack-france.com/out.php/i40766_Benitoite2.jpeg

 

[ir-ops]

thanks for explaining that, local ads pronounced it benit-ou-a, now we know better...

best
ir-ops

 

[Bernd js]

garulys,

thanks for this background information and the nice photographs.

 

[Zut]

The odd thing about benitoite is that it's colour has a violet (not green) hue. In fact, the colour of a real benitoite stone is much closer to Capri/Tanzanite blue. BTW, Tanzanite (or Tansanite) is also a very rare gem. It can only be found in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. I believe Caspian blue is a better name than Benitoite as far as the colour of the SLK is concerned. Caspian blue was used by Ford in the mid-sixties for the Thunderbird and the Mustang. It was a dark navy blue with a slightly greenish hue. It didn't have the nice metallic finish of "our" Caspian blue but it was in the same palette.

 

[garulys]

I also painted the grill and aerowings in the same colour. What do you think ?

 

[alroumi]

^

Looks great, thanks for sharing.

 

[Duo-Art]

Thanks for the photos. It's interesting how different the color looks depending on the lighting. I really like the painted aerowings and grills.

 

[FishtailnZ]

The odd thing about benitoite is that it's colour has a violet (not green) hue...

It does indeed have a violet flash to it in certain lighting, notable early morning/late evening when the sun is low in sky...here's a pic of mine that gives a hint of that aspect of the colour:

 

[alroumi]

Thanks for sharing Bill, what a great colour.

 

[ir-ops]

...beginning to seriously doubt my choice of black on black... :burnout:

ir-ops

 

[Duo-Art]

ir-ops, When you see your black beauty, any doubt will disappear.