If you are new to the automotive scene, haven’t taken the opportunity to look under your hood, or simply want to know more about what makes your vehicle ‘vroom’- the engine options available for your luxury car can be daunting. In our first installment of Engines 101: A Technical Overview of Luxury Autos, we will take a quick look at the basic terms you need to know to make your next automotive purchasing experience easy to understand inside and out.
Often, one of the first descriptions that you will hear of a vehicle will be the type of engine it has. This is usually described by the number of cylinders in the engine and their configuration. A cylinder is simply a circular tube that contains the combustion process (when fuel, air, and heat combine to make power; more on that in a later post). Inside the cylinder, a piston moves up and down to transfer power to the rest of the drivetrain. The cylinders’ configuration could be “Inline”, a “V” formation, or often in the case of one of our popular brands, Porsche, a “Boxer” configuration. There is even a “W” configuration if you are courageous enough to wield it.
Inline-Four Engine
Inline-4 Engine
Starting with one of the most common engine layouts today, the inline-4 engine is lightweight, efficient, and compact. With 4 cylinders arranged in a straight line, usually across the car’s engine bay, this configuration allows great fuel economy in a small package, cutting down on expense in more ways than one, and allowing for more room in the vehicle to be dedicated to creature comforts. These days, you will frequently find the inline-4 paired with a turbocharger option, which allows more power to be made from a smaller engine, making this a more attractive configuration than ever before. You will find this engine configuration in many Park Place vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz C 300 and GLC 300, the Lexus IS and NX, the Jaguar XE and XF, and even the new Volvo XC60 to name just a few.
“V” Configuration
V-Shaped Engine
Next up, we’ll discuss the “V” configuration. This is usually used to denote an engine with 6 or 8 cylinders, but there are also road-going cars produced with even 10 and 12-cylinder variants of this configuration. The “V” formation is produced by angling opposing banks of cylinders away from each other. In the case of a V6, this means that there are 3 cylinders on the right, and 3 cylinders on the left, forming a “V” shape. Arranging cylinders in this fashion allow you to pack more power into a shorter engine block. If you attempted to make an 8-cylinder engine in an inline formation, the length of the engine would make it impractical. You will often find these powerplants in mid-sized and larger vehicles, where drivers can use some extra power to maneuver a more spacious car or SUV. This larger engine is also frequently an upgrade option in vehicles that come standard with a 4-cylinder, but drivers may opt for a more powerful experience. Examples of some automobiles with this engine configuration are the Lexus GS and RX 350, the Jaguar XJ, the Porsche Macan GTS, and several AMG performance versions of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. You’ll find a V12 engine powering such commanding vehicles as the Rolls-Royce Wraith and Phantom.
Flat Configuration
Four Cylinder Flat Engine
The Boxer or Flat configuration is unique, in that rather than a “V”, two banks of cylinders sit directly opposed from one another. Think of pumping your fists directly out to your sides, and you’ll have an idea of how the Boxer configuration works. The manufacturer most notable for this configuration is Porsche, who specialize in high-performance vehicles with a low center of gravity. The Boxer configuration excels in this area because arranging cylinders to the sides produces a very flat engine package, which makes sense when you learn that the “Boxer” is also known as a “Flat” configuration. You will find a “Flat-6” in cars like the incredible Porsche 911 and a turbocharged 4-cylinder Boxer in cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster.
“W” Configuration
VW W-12 Engine
Last, but certainly not least, the almighty “W”, which might as well stand for win. In reality, the “W” configuration is tough to explain without visual aids (see image to understand why). Available in 12 and 16-cylinder offerings, the “W” is like taking 2 “V” motors and stacking their cylinders on top of each other, producing enough power to make even the most experienced adrenaline-junkie’s heart race. You will find a twin-turbocharged W12 powering the new Bentley Continental, and topping out the list with the world’s fastest production road-car, the Bugatti Chiron boasts a quad-turbocharged W16 engine.
We hope this overview has equipped you with more helpful knowledge the next time you start talking ‘powerplants’ for your next set of wheels. The best thing about Park Place is that we are always here to help you get the most out of your purchasing experience. If you have any questions about your engine options, or any other option available in the car of your dreams, just reach out to your nearest Park Place Dealership and our Sales Experience Managers will be happy to answer any question you can think of.
The Inaugural Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase and Park Place’s 30-year celebration is over, yet we cannot help but smile with gratitude for the accomplishments and memories created on September 9th. 2,750 ladies and gentleman of all ages dressed to the nines in their take on ‘concours casual’ wear, accenting the rolling hills of the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas with brilliant hues, statement hats, and luxurious fabrics.
Of course, the star (or should we say stars) of the show were the 134 vehicles, valued at roughly 50 million dollars, on display from Collectors and our own Park Place Dealerships. At this years event, there were four categories: vintage, classic, contemporary, and exotic/supercar. 100 vehicles and their Collectors were competing to see if their days, hours, and years of hard work and dedication would win them the distinction of either Best in Class, Chairman’s Choice, Salesmanship Club Award, and Best in Show in the showcase’s inaugural year.
The 2017 Collector’s Showcase winners include: Best In Show
1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
John Wampler (with his dog Lady Jane):
Chairman’s Choice Award
John Ridings Lee – 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante Salesmanship Club Choice Award
Corky Helstrom – 1952 MG Roadster Best In Class – VINTAGE
Jeff Wildin – 1933 MG Magna L-Type Racer Best In Class – CLASSIC
Michael Mann – 1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo Best In Class – CONTEMPORARY
Paul Grussendorf – 2009 Aston Martin DBS Best In Class – EXOTIC/SUPERCAR
Eddie Lee – 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR
Park Place also featured some of their very own showroom vehicles, allowing show-goers the rare opportunity to interact with some of the most powerful, reliable, and show stopping vehicles in the world from brands such as Lotus, Bentley, Mercedes, Volvo, Porsche, Range Rover, Lexus, and Bugatti. The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase attendees received an exclusive look at the 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom, which made Dallas,TX, its priority stop after unveiling at Pebble Beach the week before. The McLaren 720s Velocity, featuring a 100% bespoke design and MSO paint job, also made a bold statement with its two pearlescent hues of red and carbon fiber parts amongst the ranks of its high-performance counterparts.
As attendees made their way to the Porsche Pavilion to enjoy sensational bites from Cool River Café, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, and Outlaw Taproom, they were met face to face with the grill of the rare 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante that escaped demolition during Mussolini’s war effort by being smuggled across the border in boxes under the cover of darkness. John Ridings Lee, winner of the Chairman’s Choice Award, and owner of this piece of history shared his story – telling us that he found the boxes and dedicated years of his life to personally restore this piece of automotive history. Sitting next to its vintage ancestor, was the powerful Bugatti Veyron, and the newest member of the family, the three million dollar, Chiron, was based across the Concours with the rest of the supercar line up from the Park Place Premier Collection.
PC: Michael Ainsworth
Highlighting the private collection cars was a 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, ’54 Jaguar Xk120SE, ’57 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, ’71 DeTomaso Pantera, a one of a kind ’99 BMW M Roadster, and 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR which hosted the attention of showgoers and fellow collectors alike. The rolling hills adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas were transformed into a spectacle of timeless luxury for the 2,750 attendees of this first-time event.
In 1987, Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships– and 30 years later, we celebrated success, heritage, and our commitment community with an unparalleled lineup of super luxury vehicles and a $30,000 donation to the Momentous Institute of Dallas. Owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, the Momentous Institute is committed to repairing and building social, emotional health for all children so that they can achieve their full potential.
The expectations were high, and Park Place Dealerships in accordance with the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas Las Colinas, delivered what some young enthusiasts dubbed a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ not like any other in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We are pleased to share that plans for a 2018 show are underway, and collectors, vendors, and Park Place members could not be more excited to have the to opportunity cruise down the Luxury & Supercar Showcase road once again.
‘Best in’ Awards created by Brad Oldham (PC: Michael Ainsworth)Ken Schnitzer, Chairman and Founder of Park Place Dealerships, with Brad Oldham, Sculptor and Designer of the 2017 ‘Best in” awards. (PC: Michael Ainsworth)
Thank you for sharing in the experience, and for taking part in an exceptional memory 30 years in the making.
The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase attracted 2,750 car and luxury lifestyle enthusiasts from around the country. From the Kid Concours featuring a show case of mini, battery powered McLarens and Bentleys, luxurious bites and drink, to the rows of collector’s showcasing their vintage, classic, modern, and exotic vehicles, the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase was an event for all ages to enjoy.
PC: Michael Ainsworth
The inaugural event was also an opportunity for the various generations of car enthusiasts to converse and exchange ideas, stories, tips, and of course, luxury car ownership dreams. For some, this was an opportunity to see a bounty of pretty awesome vehicles in one location, for others- especially our pint-sized car enthusiasts- the Luxury & Supercar showcase was an opportunity to interact with cars they’ve only seen on TV, featured in a movie, or written about in an article, and further rev their inspiration to one day purchase and drive their very own.
Prior to the showcase, Park Place Dealerships requested clients and others who have had a Park Place experience to share why Park Place was their place, for an opportunity to attend the inaugural event. The winning story, shared by Robert Green of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, read:
“My son loves cars. We drove down for his birthday just to see your cars. He loved every minute of it and thank you for making his day.”
Robert’s son, Gavin, could not have been more excited for the chance to see an even larger lineup of exotic vehicles first hand, choosing to sacrifice his first soccer game of the season to claim his ticket. Even his soccer coach was ecstatic for Cade to have this opportunity, providing his blessing to miss the first game of the season for what he declared a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”
After consulting with the Park Place team, Robert even took Cade shopping to find the perfect “concours casual” outfit, which was expertly fashioned head to toe. The morning of the event, this father and son pair arrived promptly to get the first look- and Cade’s enthusiasm was contagious. “He loves exotic cars, and dreams of owning one someday,” said Robert, “My favorite part of this whole experience was watching him smile and listening to him talk about all the cars how rare some of them are.”
The highlights of the show? Robert’s favorite feature vehicle was the Bugatti Veyron, which sat adjacent to a 1938 vintage Bugatti. As an added bonus, he was able to snap with Richard Rawlings, founder of Gas Monkey Garage and personality on the show Fast N’ Loud.
For Cade, his favorite memory was to see the McLaren 720 S up close and personal. As we look to the future of this event, it is no doubt this is not the last we have seen of Cade Green. Thanks to his passion for exotic autos, his father’s support, and fervent determination to fulfill his dream of owning his very own McLaren, there’s a good chance we might see Cade on the conours as a collector in the future.
Do you have a story from the Supercar Showcase you’d like to share? Visit us at www.YourParkPlace.com, and scroll to the bottom of the home page. Fill out the Your Story form and submit a photo for an opportunity to be featured on the website.
Whether it’s the Porsche 911, Mercedes AMG GT, Bentley Bentayga, Jaguar F-Type, or a Lexus LS, there is something about luxury vehicles that captures attention and demands a market.
The luxury vehicle market is expansive with base vehicle models starting around $40,000, making the opportunity to choose to cruise in a luxury vehicle a viable option for young and seasoned professionals alike. While 40k isn’t a modest sum in the least, the buyer can be confident that they are receiving a first-class machine in exchange for the price tag.
We understand that a vehicle is one of life’s most practical investments, and choosing to purchase a luxury brand is a bold statement of enhanced design, safety, and performance unchallenged by the affordable vehicle segment.
In this series, we will investigate the key differences between a luxury model and their affordable counterpart for our various brands including Volvo, Lexus, Porsche, and Jaguar, addressing the pros, cons, and frequently asked questions when a client is deciding whether or not to dip their toes into the luxury automobile segment. But first, why luxury?
Luxury brands offer enhanced performance within their entire line-up of cars.
Acceleration and fuel economy are continuously improving year over year among the luxury segment. From base models to bespoke, you as a consumer will have increased high performance options at your fingertips when purchasing a luxury vehicle. Looking at the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery, it has four models available ranging from base MSRPs of $49,990 to $73,950. Each ticket price allows the client to benefit from key features
The base SE model offers 340 hp, 19″ 5 split-spoke allow wheels, key less entry, leather seats, 10 speakers, an 8 inch color touchscreen, and rain sensing windshield wipers. The First Edition (base MSRP of $73,950) offers that and then some, including 21″ 10 split spoke alloy wheels, all terrain progress control, Windsor leather seats, a surround camera system, and a Meridian Sound System with 10 speakers, subwoofer, and 10 inch color touchscreen. The quality is consistent throughout, and a luxury vehicle consumer will receive more at the base model than some economy class counterparts.
Consistent quality throughout the entire hardware and software of the vehicle.
State of the Art equipment and safety features are standard among luxury vehicles. For example, the 2017 Lexus GS offers the Lexus Safety System+, fit with a Pre-Collision System, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Steer Assist, All-Speed Dynamic cruise control. These features are now standard across Lexus, increasing their brand’s value on the second-hand market and further distinguishing it among economy class options.
Certified Pre-Owned programs and manufacturer-backed maintenance are also perks of luxury ownership because you are not just a consumer or customer, you are a client and should be treated as such throughout your luxury new and pre-owned ownership experience.
Crisp design, beautiful contour, and insane comfort cohabitate peacefully in luxury models.
The manufacturer’s designers and engineers pay close attention to not only the overall aesthetic of the vehicle but also the fine print details of each element that makes up a luxury vehicle. The quality of materials used are just as important as the way they look when pieced together- an attention that can only be appreciated at the luxury level of vehicle ownership. For example, Bentley Motors offers a limitless spectrum of color so that Bentley clients have millions of possible color and trim combinations to make their luxury vehicle extraordinary. Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, offers the perfect solutions-like state-of-the art color recognition software-to attain the perfect hue for a truly bespoke creation.
Luxury vehicles can have a high resale value.
According to Forbes, new cars lose immediately about 20% of their value as soon as the new owner drives it off the lot. Fast forward five years later, and certain models will depreciate faster than others (some up to 80%). Since depreciation is the single largest cost to vehicle ownership, it’s important to choose a brand and model that’s been engineered to retain its value for years after it leaves the lot.
Say you decided to purchase a brand new 2017 Lexus GS at an MSRP of $52,590. Five years from date of purchase, you decide to sell. Odds are that the Lexus GS will depreciate less over 5 years than your budget friendly models and thus will result in a higher resale value. According to Kelly Blue Book’s 2017 Best Resale Value Awards, the 2017 Lexus GS will retain 42% of its value 36 months post purchase, and then 31% at 60 months- making it the winner of “Best Resale Value” in the luxury segment.
The available technology and safety features, fuel economy, and exceptional design of a model are also key to choosing what vehicle cost will give you the most cost benefit to fit your unique lifestyle.
This is not to say that there are no economy class vehicles that are fantastic on the road or provide their passengers with peace of mind in terms of safety, but there is an authenticity attached to luxury ownership that simply cannot be replicated. Exceptional engineering, precise attention to detail, and an authentic portrayal of a high performance lifestyle will not disappoint for any new or pre-owned client.
Amongst all the pros and cons that will be discussed in this series answering the question of “Why Luxury”, one thing is for certain, – “you get what you pay for.” Stay tuned as we continue this series with model to model comparisons in upcoming posts.
Park Place Dealerships Donates $30,000 to Momentous Institute
Ladies in stylish hats and gentlemen dressed in resort attire strolled the rolling hills of the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas September 9th amid some of the world’s most rare and beautiful automobiles.
Park Place Dealerships donated $30,000 to the Momentous Institute in celebration of their 30th anniversary. Owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, the Momentous Institute has been committed to building and repairing social and emotional health for all children so they can achieve their full potential. Each year, the organization directly serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services.
Guests at the inaugural Park Place Dealerships Luxury & Supercar Showcase were among the first in Texas to see the new 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom, arriving straight from Pebble Beach. They also had the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with an extraordinary 1500-horsepower, $3 million Bugatti Chiron, while comparing the modern supercar to its vintage ancestor: a rare 1938 Bugatti that escaped demolition during Mussolini’s war effort by being disassembled and smuggled across the border under cover of darkness. Guests also saw Bentley’s first luxury SUV – the Bentayga, supercharged McLarens, Maseratis, a Porsche 918 Spyder and 919 Hybrid, the new Lexus LC500, Jaguar F-Type SVR, a Mercedes-Benz-AMG GTC Roadster, Volvo XC90, Range Rover SVR and many more new vehicles.
More than 100 cars from private collectors competed in a juried Collector’s Showcase, including a 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra once owned by Carroll Shelby, a 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, a ‘54 Jaguar XK120SE, ‘57 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, ‘60 Porsche 356B Roadster, ‘61 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, ’71 DeTomaso Pantera, ‘72 Fiat Dino Spider, a one-of-a-kind ‘99 BMW M Roadster, 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR, 2010 Aston Martin DBS, 2015 Lamborghini Huracan, and many others.
The Collector’s Showcase winners included: Best In Show 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
John Wampler (with his dog Lady Jane)
Chairman’s Choice Award John Ridings Lee – 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante Salesmanship Club Choice Award Corky Helstrom – 1952 MG Roadster Best In Class – VINTAGE Jeff Wildin – 1933 MG Magna L-Type Racer Best In Class – CLASSIC Michael Mann – 1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo Best In Class – CONTEMPORARY Paul Grussendorf – 2009 Aston Martin DBS Best In Class – EXOTIC/SUPERCAR Eddie Lee – 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR
Guests also enjoyed live music, specialty boutiques with upscale offerings by Bachendorf’s, Niven Morgan, Sovaro, Mulberry, Montblanc, RIMOWA, Rebecca Taylor, and even a Kids Concours presented by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, featuring a special Hot Wheels interactive area, drinks from Pecos Pete’s All Natural Tea and Soda shop, freshly popped popcorn, and big yard games.
Partners included Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Hill & Wilkinson, Celebrity Cruises, Irving CVB and Chamber, Absolut Elyx, Perrier Jouët, Peroni Italy, Brad Oldham Sculpture, Bachendorf’s, The Trade Group, Fernic Building Maintenance, Lisa R. Daniels, Digital 3 Printing, D Magazine, NBC 5, Celebrity Cruises, LAW, OUTLAW Taproom, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Cool River Café, Marie Gabrielle, Frost 321, Perks & Provisions Company, Sugaire, and Lilium Florals.
Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships 30 years ago with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Bugatti, Lotus and Maserati. Park Place recently opened a new Land Rover Jaguar dealership in Grapevine. A new Porsche dealership will debut next year in Grapevine. For more info, visit parkplace.com
Yet another summer of luxury has come to a close, and class is back in session for a new academic year. Park Place Dealerships is dedicated to organizational excellence, and in an effort to support our exceptional community of educators who are dedicated to a promoting excellence in the classroom, Park Place awards area winners of the annual “Teacher of the Year” with the opportunity to drive a Park Place vehicle during their summer vacations away from the classroom.
For years, we have shown our appreciation for teachers and their dedication to their students in the Carroll, Allen, Grapevine-Colleyville, Plano and most recently Mansfield school districts. This year, Park Place was gifted with the opportunity to speak with the very enthusiastic and engaged winners of the 2017 Teacher of the year award.
Rhonda Selph, Jon McCormick, Kevin Moore, and Cody McGregor were just four of the winners of a summer spent in Park Place style- and they were not the least bit shy when it came to sharing their experience with Lexus, Mercedes, and Park Place. With a combined well over 30 years of teaching experience, each educator was more than deserving of an exceptional summer vacation.
Rhonda Selph already misses her vehicle- comparing her time in a new 2017 Lexus to that of her trusty Silver Bullet: “I did enjoy experience features on it [her Lexus] that my ‘Silver Bullet’ doesn’t have. Truly, I miss the heated/AC seats.” See our “When You Drive a Lexus” blog post for a complete overview of her summer in Lexus.
Kevin Moore shared the sentiment about his IS experience: “I am most impressed with the handling, safety, and comfort features. The turn radius is great and the backup camera is better than most. The lines keep you focused on what you need to focus on.”
He closes out his experience saying, “The seats are amazing. I feel like they conform to my back, and the ventilated seats are something that I’ve never had before and I don’t know if I will ever again be able to live without – especially in a Dallas summer. If you can’t tell, I love the IS!”
We look forward to continuing our support of the Teacher of the Year program, especially through our new exclusive partnership with Mansfield ISD. This time, two teachers will earn the opportunity to sport a luxury, Park Place vehicle for an entire year.
Thank you to our teachers, and good luck as they enter a new academic year of striving for educational excellence .
Park Place Dealerships and the Cattle Baron’s Ball have a 20-year relationship that will continue as we approach this year’s event.
The 2017 Cattle Baron’s Ball will be held Saturday, October 21, at Gilley’s Dallas, featuring Brooks & Dunn on the Main Stage. Over the past 40 years, Cattle Baron’s has raised nearly $70 million towards the ongoing pursuit of a cure for cancer.
This year, Park Place will offer the winner of the raffle the choice between a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE, 2017 Volvo XC60, or a 2017 Porsche Macan with an estimated value of $58,000. For more information on the raffle and other raffle prizes, visit www.cattlebaronsball.com.
Cattle Baron’s has provided more than 30,000 services to cancer patients in North Texas, rides to and from treatments, and wigs free of charge. The American Cancer Society is the beneficiary of the event whose mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.
Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships 30 years ago with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. Park Place recently opened a new Land Rover Jaguar dealership in Grapevine and will open a new Porsche dealership in Grapevine next year. For more info, visit parkplace.com.
In 1987, Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Motorcars on Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas, Texas, on the philosophy that excellence is a mission, and not a destination. 30 years have passed, and Park Place Dealerships has not only expanded to 16 full service dealerships, but we have successfully maintained a ceaseless commitment to client service excellence by providing the first-class treatment that is uniquely associated with the Park Place experience.
As the organization grew, so did the connection to the community in which it lived, and as a result, Park Place Dealerships also expanded their dedicated time and resources for the continuous betterment of their neighbors.
This vision of a thriving community has evolved over the past three decades to now include hundreds of meaningful partnerships and millions of dollars raised to create a positive impact on the local community. Park Place advocates a culture of philanthropy instilled in each member from our top leadership of Ken Schnitzer, Neil Grossman, Jordan Case, and Sherry Miller; to Anam Ali and Liz Shafton who execute all dealer sponsorship and community events, and finally, touching all of our individual members who raise awareness for various efforts around the DFW area each month.
Park Place focuses community efforts on the arts, children’s advocacy, education, and medical research because of the various passions of our leadership team. Most will find that many of the organizations and causes we support, actually touch on more than one of community focal points in an effort to create a more impactful partnership.
Preserving Community Arts and History
Park Place spreads the love to preserve the rich community history and the various traditional and non-traditional artistic initiatives in the DFW area. In the past 30 years, we have had the privilege of sponsoring the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and various community art festivals- like Southlake’s Art in the Square. On a regional level, Park Place and Lexus continue to team up to contribute to the ATT Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas. For over 10 years this regional alliance has served to bring notable performances to the DFW community.
In 2013, Park Place Lexus and Park Place Motorcars donated $25,000 to the Grapevine Historical Society, to move their collection to a new facility, nearly quadrupling the museum’s space. Grapevine, a city in which three of our dealerships, and one more set to open next year, call home- provides a rich history in which Ken Schnitzer is adamant to support: “There is a great history in Grapevine and we are pleased to be a part of preserving it through this donation for the new building.” Park Place’s connection with Grapevine began in 2000 with the opening of the first two dealerships in city.
Touching various musical and visual arts organizations over the years, Park Place is also a major advocate of one of Dallas’ more home-grown ‘natural’ attractions. For close to 10 years, Park Place has supported the renowned Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens through various outlets including concerts and seasonal displays.
Most recently, we have been the exclusive automotive partner of the grand botanic displays found at the Annual Dallas Blooms Festival. Since 1985, Dallas Blooms has been dubbed a spring “must see” in the DFW area, and corporate giving plays an integral role in bringing this world-class explosion of color to life. Park Place places their exceptional vehicles to showcase our continued support of the artistic spring display of one of DFW’s greatest community gems.
Advocating for Action- Supporting the Future Generations
Park Place dealerships is not one to simply say they support a cause, but are advocates of affirmative action and taking a stand to promote the well-being of our community’s most vulnerable and most promising members. From supporting women’s heart health by going Red at supporting dealerships to hosting grand galas and events, Park Place is firm on their stance to improve the lives of those around them.
“We are motivated to pursue change and our community partners have an incredible ability to bring about that positive change,” comments Anam Ali, Community and Events Marketing Strategist. “Supporting causes that directly advocate for action and that effect the most change within our community, is near and dear to the Park Place philanthropic mission.”
The Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play event began in 2002 to advocate for at risk youth supported by the Texas Rangers Foundation. Park Place has been the presenting sponsor of this spectacular show of support since its inception, raising funds for our community where it is most needed. The combined effort of our Community Events team and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, paired with the mutual unwavering commitment to the youth has successfully raised well over $5 million dollars in just 15 years. Dave Evans, Director of Marketing, recounts “It’s been 15 years since Park Place Dealerships and the Texas Rangers developed this fun event to connect fans with players and coaches while raising money to share the love of baseball with area kids.”
Taking a look back at some of the very first events, we cannot help but recognize the staggering increase in community engagement this event, and importantly this cause, has received. In 2003, the night raised more than $100,000- fast forward to 2017, and the community came together to raise an astounding $700,000, which will contribute to the completion of the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy, a safe space for area children to develop a passion for the game. The Foundation itself has given back more than $15 million to children in need, and Park Place is honored to play a part in their mission.
Supporting DFW Educators and Students
We stand behind the DFW education community, ensuring that the future of Dallas, and their exceptional educators, is continually supported and recognized for the commitment to educational excellence. Park Place’s support ranges from direct monetary support and mentorship programs, to gifting a summer in a luxury vehicles and rallying our community around the local football team for the home games.
In the year 2000, Park Place Dealerships piloted a mentorship program for local high school students. This particular program allowed high school students the opportunity to experience an internship that was anything but answering phones and filing papers. In its inaugural year, the “Park Place Mentor Program,” included four area students working in the services department at Park Place Motorcars. The purpose of this program was to break stereotypes surrounding technicians, and further encourage and assist high school seniors who may be considering a career in automotive services.
While this program has evolved, Park Place’s focus on educating our up-and-comers is revitalized through an extensive dealer-wide internship program that continues to offer professional learning opportunities for 25-35 interns each year. Providing not just verbal and monetary support, but ample application-based learning opportunities is part of Park Place’s commitment to sharing our knowledge and making a difference in the surrounding communities.
For the past seven years, Park Place Lexus Grapevine and Park Place Motorcars Grapevine have sponsored the Southlake-Carroll Dragons as just one piece of our school district support efforts. Matt Woolsey, General Manager of the Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW store is Dragon alum and football fan, so each year the Park Place team joins Dragon fans to tailgate before a home game to ensure the Dragon’s spirit cannot be missed in the Southlake-Carroll community.
We join Carroll ISD on a multitude of other noble missions to promote educational excellence, including 14 years with the Carroll Education Foundation, which creates and distributes resources, such as scholarships, for the students of Carroll ISD. In just 2016, Park Place Lexus Grapevine raffled off a prize valued at $18,000, giving a lucky community member the opportunity to drive a new Lexus, every month for a year.
For years, Park Place expanded their educational giving to support the exceptional teachers of the Carroll, Allen, Grapevine-Colleyville, Plano, and now Mansfield school districts, by awarding annual Teacher of the Year winners with a summer in a Park Place vehicle. Over the years, teachers have been given the opportunity to drive in-style for a summer, a small reward for the years of dedication and passionate service to our community’s families.
In 2012, Matt Woolsey spoke at the Teacher of the Year award ceremony, commenting on his close connection (and now Park Place’s tight-knit relationship) to Carroll ISD and the annual Teacher of the Year program itself: “I looked around the room and saw a few of my son’s teachers, several current teachers that are Park Place clients, my former principal Mr. Willingham, Mr. Lowery (former superintendent), and my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Anders. I let them know how proud I was to be a Dragon, how proud I was to be the parent of a couple of Dragons….” These words ring clearly today as the tradition of educational giving continues, and the 2017 Teacher of the Year winners are winding down their summer in a new Lexus or Mercedes.
In August 2017, Park Place Motorcars Arlington proudly kicked off a new exclusive partnership with Mansfield ISD, gifting two deserving teachers with the opportunity to sport a luxury vehicle for an entire year. Anam Ali spoke to this particular partnership saying, “When we opened the dealership in Arlington, it was clear that we had to extend our support to the surrounding community that welcomed us so warmly back in 2015. We are elated to begin a new partnership with Mansfield ISD as they embark on a new school year, and we are eager to see what we can accomplish together.”
Medical Research and the Fight Against Childhood Cancer
Park Place devotes an exceptional amount of time, money, and support to medical research in the hopes of fighting cancer and other life threatening illnesses that affect our community.
For 25 years, Park Place has fervently supported the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children resulting in more than $185,000 in monetary donations. We believe in Scottish Rite Hospital’s mission- they are the best at what they do, and we are proud to partner each year and support their efforts to provide quality care to over 20,000 active patients regardless of the family’s ability to pay. For nine years, Park Place Premier Collection has hosted the Accessible Luxury Event to raise support for a singular purpose, the health and well-being of children. High fashion, luxury products, and the Park Place community come together each year to make the unique event, a success. “Scottish Rite Hospital is a national treasure,” said Neil Grossman, President of Park Place Dealerships. “We are proud to be associated with an organization that gives back so much to our community. Their care for children is unrivaled. We look forward to many more years of working together to serve these children and their families.”
In 40 years, the Cattle Barons Ball has raised more than $60 million towards the pursuit for a cure for cancer. For 20 of those years, Park Place Dealerships has supported these efforts by donating a luxury vehicle to their auction to help increase the evening’s grand total, and supporting the American Cancer society to give cancer the ultimate “the boot.”
While these two causes have garnered our long term support, it is no question that Park Place Dealerships provides the means to spark change in the community, no matter the size (or age) of the cause. Michael Hollis dreamed Bugatti during his fight with Leukemia- and with the leadership of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Park Place Dealerships was able to turn dreams into reality. The seven year- old wanted to experience the Bugatti Veyron for himself and with Butch Leitzinger, a 3x winner of the Rolex 24, by his side this wish is one Michael, his family, and the team at Park Place would never forget.
Looking forward, Park Place Dealerships shows no signs of slowing down, but rather continuing to honor its commitment to giving back to its loyal community for the 30 years to come.
To celebrate 30 years of success, the inaugural Park Place Luxury & and Supercar Showcase will work hand-in-hand with the Four Seasons Club and Resort Dallas Las Colinas to put some of the world’s most exceptional vehicles on display for a purpose- to benefit the children of the Momentous Institute, a 97 year old not-for-profit owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. This footprint of this long-standing organization is expansive, touching the lives of more than 6,000 families and children through their therapeutic services team alone. According to Michelle Kinder, Executive Director of the Momentous Institute, “the Momentous School is our furthest upstream effort. 248 kids who are growing up in poverty are receiving an education where social and emotional health is just as prioritized as academics.” Truly far reaching, the Momentous Institute shares their knowledge and their children’s voices with professionals across the country. The future of our community is bright- where hope has been taken away, our newest charitable partner creates a space for families and children to discover that hope once again. “We say around here,” says Kinder, “We hold hope until you can hold hope for yourselves.” Park Place Dealerships is honored to celebrate 30 years of business and giving, by doing our part to further the education and emotional health efforts of the Momentous Institute.
Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships 30 years ago with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. As we look to the future of Park Place Dealerships, we are honored to serve the communities that have supported our mission for excellence these past 30 years.
Some of the world’s most extraordinary and exotic vehicles will be on display, accented with luxurious fashion displays, high performance entertainment, refreshing beverages and delicious bites sure to satisfy the taste buds. With all of the excitement, Park Place and our friends at Hagerty and NorthPark Center want to ensure all our attendees are armed with the Supercar Showcase “dos, don’ts, and friendly suggestions” that are sure to create an enjoyable atmosphere for attendees, volunteers, and Collectors alike.
This list offers insight into car show etiquette, fashion tips to help you find your perfect ‘Concours Casual’ style outfit, and finally, some unique offerings that you can’t miss on the day of the showcase.
1. “Look, But Don’t Touch”
This platinum rule of car shows must be followed out of respect and admiration for the heritage of the vehicles on display, but also to preserve the months (or even years) of hard work the Collectors have put into their amazing show case cars. Our friends at Hagerty inform that no Collector wants their pride and joy to be smudged, scratched, or dinged no matter how well intentioned the show-goer may be. So, unless instructed otherwise, please remember to respect and admire the Collector’s hard work by looking and not touching the showcase entries.
2. Choose Your Accessories Wisely
We understand how important it is for our show-goers to look just a fabulous as the exceptional vehicles on the Concours, but please choose your accessories wisely. Hagerty recommends avoiding wearing lots of jewelry on your hands and arms. Rings, watches, bracelets, and purses are some of the more obvious culprits for accidentally scratches on the cars, so please be aware of any other buttons, zippers, and belt buckles that could incur more subtle damages. Be sure to check out our fashion and style tips from NorthPark Center for some style inspiration so you can pick out the perfect accessories for your day on the Concours.
3. Women’s Fashion Do’s Courtesy of NorthPark Center: Stay on Trend with Dusty Pinks and Feminine Floral Prints.
Dressing for the fall season doesn’t have to mean dark colors and heavy fabrics, especially in Texas. Stay on-trend with dusty pinks and feminine floral prints. Featured items are available at the NorthPark Center.
Featured Pieces:
Demetria Dress, Elie Tahari
Starburst Earrings, David Yurman
Byrdie Handbag, Kate Spade
Loretta Platform Sandal, Tory Burch
4. Keep a Close Eye on Your Children
Of course we encourage you to share your hobby with your super car lovers in training, but Hagerty reminds all parents to please teach your young ones to be careful as they enjoy the thrill of the car show experience.
5. Stop by the ‘Kids Concours’
The Kid’s Concours Presented by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children will include a variety of activities your young car enthusiast is sure to enjoy. This fun and engaging experience for the younger enthusiasts will feature a Hot Wheels interactive exhibit and access to refreshing beverages from Pecos Pete’s All Natural Tea and Soda Shop.
6. Men’s Fashion Do’s Courtesy of NorthPark Center: Upgrade Your Basic Blues
Upgrade your basic blues with a sharp jacket and lightweight shirt. Textured calfskin loafers provide high style and all-day comfort. Like what you see? The featured fashion pieces are available at the NorthPark Center.
Featured Pieces:
DUDSONJ Sport Coat, Ted Baker
Cotton Casual Shirt, Canali
Cotton Chinos, BOSS Hugo Boss
Penny Loafer, Salvatore Ferragamo
Engineer Belt, Frye
7. Step into our Climate Controlled Pavilion
Park Place will be hosting industry experts, lifestyle segments, and live entertainment throughout the day on the main stage in the Porsche Pavilion. The agenda will be available onsite and in our commemorative program.
8. Pack Your Purse with Super Car Showcase Essentials- Courtesy of NorthPark Center’s Style Experts
The clandestine items a woman keeps in her handbag is known only to her- but a pair of chic sunglasses, hydrating hand cream, a neutral card case , and a bright pop of lipstick should top her list.
Featured Items:
Darley Handbag, Mulberry
Artist Rouge Lipstick in Plum Violet, MAKE UP FOR EVER
Tea Sunglasses, Coach
Intrecciato Leather Card Case, Bottega Veneta
Shea Butter Hand Cream, L’Occitane
9. Have Your Program Autographed by Notable Motorsports Stars
We will be hosting a meet and greet with some famous faces from the world of Motorsports. Bring your one-of-kind event program signed and make it a keepsake to remember meeting some of foremost experts on the track face to face.
10. Don’t Forget toTag @ParkPlaceTexas
We’d love to hear and see how you enjoyed the event. Use our tag @ParkPlaceTexas and #YourParkPlace so we can re-live Park Place’s 30th Anniversary Super Car and Luxury Showcase long after the event is over.
Bonus Tip: Pair your concours casual outfit with a stand out hat to snap the perfect Instagram-worthy photo next to one our luxury vehicles. Love your photo? Post to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the tag #YourParkPlace and we may share your photo!
Special thanks to NorthPark Center and Hagerty for their expert advice as we prepare for a day spent in luxury.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Champions Way entrance on the rolling hills adjacent to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas on September 9th! To purchase tickets click here.
School is officially out for summer, and Park Place Dealerships is proud to support our DFW education community by treating area Teacher of the Year winners with a new luxury vehicle to enjoy their summer vacation- Park Place style.
Rhonda Selph, Allen ISD Teacher of the Year winner and current 6th grade World Cultures teacher at Max O. Vaughan Elementary, quickly put her 2017 Lexus NX through a slew of tests to see whether or not a this Lexus could successfully replace her 2003 van aka the “silver bullet.”
When You Drive a Lexus….Your Freezer won’t have any more dents in it because you have Park Assist.
When You Drive a Lexus, you can move your daughter into her new apartment…and transport all of her groceries!
When you Drive a Lexus, you avoid hitting anyone or anything in busy retail parking lots because of the Blind Spot Monitors.
When you drive a Lexus, your co-educators will all want to ride with you to summer workshops.
When you drive a Lexus, you cannot lock your keys in your car because the vehicle will beep to remind you to grab your keys.
Rhonda successfully put her Lexus NX to the test, finding out that the features offered in her new 2017 NX provided her a high performance experience she could not receive in her “silver bullet.” Her conclusion? Her Park Place Lexus experience exceeded any and all expectations.
To celebrate 30 years of success, the inaugural 
