The Matte Black Masterpiece: How Ken Block's Iconic Mercedes CLS55 AMG Revolutionized Car Culture

Before Ken Block became a household name in the world of extreme sports and automotive stunts, he was a rising star in the world of rally driving. But it was his unique vision for a Mercedes CLS55 AMG that would cement his legacy as a true innovator in the automotive industry.

Transforming the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

The Inspiration Behind the Matte Black Masterpiece

In the mid-2000s, Ken Block, a co-founder of the popular skate brand DC Shoes, had an idea that would forever change the way we perceive car customization. Inspired by an off-the-rack racing helmet, Block teamed up with the renowned automotive atelier Ai Design to bring his vision to life. The result was a Mercedes CLS55 AMG that would become a true icon of the automotive world.

Pushing the Boundaries of Car Customization

The CLS55 AMG had just been released, and its sleek, modern design was a departure from the traditional luxury sedan. Block saw an opportunity to take this car to the next level, and with the help of Ai Design, he set out to create something truly unique. The idea was to completely black out the car, but not in a traditional glossy finish. Instead, they opted for a matte black paint that was unlike anything seen on the market at the time.

Overcoming the Challenges of Matte Paint

Achieving the perfect matte black finish was no easy task. According to Matt Figliola of Ai Design, the team had to experiment with several different paint formulas before landing on the perfect solution. The Spies Hecker Rally Black paint they ultimately used was a single-stage paint, meaning the clear coat was integrated into the color itself. This made the paint more durable and resistant to weathering, but it also presented unique challenges when it came to application and maintenance.

Unveiling the Matte Black Masterpiece

When the car made its debut at the 2006 SEMA Show, it was an instant sensation. "No one had ever seen anything like it," recalls Brian Scotto, Ken Block's partner at Hoonigan Industries. The matte black finish was a true head-turner, and the car quickly became the center of attention. However, this was not the reaction Block had anticipated. "It didn't work at all," Scotto says with a chuckle. "The matte-black car got so much attention everywhere it went."

The Lasting Impact of Ken Block's Matte Black CLS55 AMG

Despite the unexpected attention, Ken Block's matte black CLS55 AMG had a profound impact on the automotive industry. Within a few years, matte finishes started to become more common as factory options from various manufacturers. While these finishes were impressive in their own right, Figliola notes that none have quite matched the depth and richness of the original matte black paint used on Block's car.

The Rise and Fall of the Matte Trend

The matte black trend that Ken Block's car helped to popularize has since come and gone. "It's funny how matte is actually, like, not cool anymore," Scotto says. "Blame all of those wrapped Teslas. As soon as you start seeing regular pedestrian sedans with matte wraps, it makes the real matte paint way less special. Certainly not something that feels custom, anyway."

The Legacy of Ken Block's Automotive Innovations

While the matte black CLS55 AMG may no longer be considered cutting-edge, its impact on the automotive industry is undeniable. "He actually did a lot of things that didn't seem like a big deal at the time," Scotto says. "It was just Ken being creative and having fun. But you don't realize the impact he had on automotive cultural trends until years later, when you watch where the waves he made ended up."