What does "triple-black" mean in the context of car finishes?

October 5, 2008 3:34 PM

What does "triple-black" mean in the context of car finishes?

I watched this video from The New York Times about "black cars" and there was repeated mention of "triple-black" but it's never really explained how "triple-black" is different from regular black. What exactly is meant by "triple-black"?

posted by nohat to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

I've always understood it to mean black paint, black vinyl top (or convertible, black leather or fabric interior
posted by buggzzee23 at 3:39 PM on October 5, 2008

Google for "triple-black car"
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:40 PM on October 5, 2008

I meant to close the parentheses after "convertible"
posted by buggzzee23 at 3:41 PM on October 5, 2008

Black body, black wheels, black (leather) interior.
posted by birdherder at 3:44 PM on October 5, 2008

Wrong: black convertible roof, black interior, black body color.

Some convertibles have a different color tops from the body. Porsches were the first cars to be called "triple black" because they produced cabriolets with different colored tops.
posted by Zambrano at 5:19 PM on October 5, 2008

"also" after "they"
posted by Zambrano at 5:20 PM on October 5, 2008

Depending on context, it might also refer to blacked-out chrome, as on the grille, logos, rims, etc.
posted by box at 7:46 PM on October 5, 2008

A black on black 911 Coupe with black Fuchs wheels is called triple black, too. Birdherder is right.
posted by hwyengr at 8:40 PM on October 5, 2008