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The 2nd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase Shone Brightly Even in the Rain

Park Place Dealerships donates $55k Sprinter
to Salesmanship Club’s Momentous Institute

Rain or shine. Many outdoor events casually use the term, but few shine in the midst of challenges like the 2nd annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase did on October 13th at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas.

“It was an exciting day in a lot of ways,” said Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships founder and chairman. “The rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of guests and we were able to execute the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase for the nearly 3,000 people who attended. Many of the private collectors brought their rare and pristine cars out to display them in the Collector’s Concours. The Porsche Club – Maverick Region came together to create an amazing Heritage Display to celebrate Porsche’s 70th anniversary. And we were able to support a wonderful charitable partner in a big way.”

The event benefitted the Momentous Institute, owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920. Each year, the organization serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services. Schnitzer presented Patton Chapman, Salesmanship Club president, with the keys to a $55,000 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van to help the organization with its transportation needs for the kids.

Throughout the day, guests saw more than $100 million worth of rare and unique vehicles from manufacturers, collectors and car clubs, including the first public display of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the iconic marque’s first ever SUV. Guests also enjoyed live entertainment, incredible food and beverages, as well as a Highland Park Village fashion show produced by Jan Strimple.

Parents even watched their kids play in the rain, driving miniature electric versions of Porsche, McLaren, Volvo, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus vehicles on the pavestone path. Guests also had the opportunity to meet 16-year-old racecar driver Kinzie “Kiki” Wilson. Featured in her red, racing shirt on the right of her Corvette, the Mansfield Legacy High School Junior is also the Varsity Cheer Captain while maintaining a 3.95 GPA.

Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker helped judge the Haute Hat Contest. The Lady’s Haute Hat winner was Anna Neiman (below) with a stylish Rolls-Royce-inspired hat that included working lights.

             

As the day drew to a close, the top three award winners from the Collector’s Concours were presented with the “Spirit of Park Place,” a hand-crafted sculpture by Dallas artist Brad Oldham.

  • Best of Show went to Randy Johnson for his 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C.
  • Chairman’s Choice Award – Fred Cornwall – 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, originally hand-built for Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton as an engagement gift for her fiancé Georgian Prince Alexis Mdivani.
  • Salesmanship Club Award – John Kobell – 1980 BMW M1.

Other award winners included:

American Classics

1st –  1959 Chevrolet Corvette – Rocky Rainbolt

2nd – 1932 REO Royale Rumble Seat Coupe – Rob Anderson

3rd – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe – Rob Anderson

American Modern:

1st in Class – 2009 Dodge Viper – Alan Wilson

British Classic

1st – 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Limo – James Stewart

2nd – 1966 Jaguar E-Type OTS – Clark Kirby
3rd – 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II – Michael Davis

British Modern

1st – 2012 McLaren MP4-12C – Warren Huddleston
2nd – 2012 McLaren 12C – Patrick Chiu
3rd – 2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith – Erick Johnson

Italian Classic

1st – 1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2 + 2 – Cory Richards

2nd – 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta – Jerry Quam
3rd – 1979 Maserati Merak SS – Betsy Crawford

Italian Modern

1st – 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C – William Hale

2nd – 2005 Ferrari 430 – Derrick Blanton
3rd – 2001 Qvale Mangusta – Anatoly Arutunoff

German Classic

1st – 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible – Whitney Stark

2nd – 1996 Porsche 993 Turbo – Raj Gill

German Modern:

1st in Class – 2015 Audi R8 – Brad Harslem

Supercar Classic:

1st in Class – 1993 Jaguar XJ220 – Barry Fromberg

Supercar Modern

1st – 2015 Porsche 918 Weissach Martini – John Savickas

2nd – 2013 Zagato Perana Z-One – Dave Copps

International:

1st in Class – 1972 Citroen SM – Gordon Sauer

Porsche GT:

1st – 2015 Porsche GT3 – Robert Caglia

2nd – 2016 Porsche GT3 RS – Michael Lee

 

Partners included the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate|Urban, Celebrity Cruises, Highland Park Village, Hill & Wilkinson, Irving CVB and Irving Chamber, Event Architecture, Bachendorf’s, Brad Oldham Sculpture, RideCentric, GL Seaman, Lockton, Hagerty Insurance, Perks & Provisions, Lilium Florals, Lisa R. Daniels, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Outdoor Furniture, ExxonMobil, Cox Automotive, Dealer Industries, Garages of Texas, Ratcliff Financial Services, Maui Jims, Jack Black, The Vineyard at Florence, Steinway & Sons, D Magazine, and NBC 5.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com

 

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Mercedes-AMG Aspires to Put the HYPE in Hypercar

Not all supercars are hypercars, but all hypercars are supercars. After the Paris Auto Show Mercedes-Benz announced some big plans to put the hype in Hypercar with now named Mercedes- AMG Project ONE. The name reflects the mission to bring Formula One technology and capability, to the road, providing performance seekers with a completely performance driven, aerodynamic driving experience.

The Mercedes- AMG Project ONE is set to be the top-of-the-line model- another allusion that’s logically referenced by its official name. The new hypercar is highlighted by active aerodynamics, which is going through extensive wind-tunnel testing. This technology features a multi-part, two-stage extendable rear wing for maximum downforce in race mode, all to bring racing tech to a street-legal motor vehicle.

The car itself is exciting, but the client experience to spec a Mercedes-AMG Project ONE has elevated and evolved into an exclusive Mobile Showroom titled “The Future of Driving Performance”. It’s in this mobile showroom that potential clients have the opportunity to sit the cockpit of the most recent rendition of the Hypercar and experience a demonstration of the individual equipment options. Right now, it’s only available on the Grounds of the Munich Mercedes-Benz branch, but we’ll definitely be keeping our eye on the evolution Mercedes’ contribution the hypercar circle.  Read more information on Project ONE on Mercedes-Benz.com

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Park Place Gathers Some of the World’s Finest for the Supercar Showcase

A High-Performance Line-Up You Can Experience

Between an Expanded Concours and Park Place Dealerships bringing in some the world’s finest vehicles, there will be no shortage of “oohs & ahhs” on the Luxury & Supercar Showcase Concours. While the first rule and 

tenant of a car showcase (see Do’s and Don’ts of the Supercar Showcase Blog Here) is to look and not touch unless specifically told by the Collector, at the Park Place tents, guests can and are highly encouraged to explore, touch & feel, and ask questions about our Park Place featured lineups by brand. Below is just a smattering of what exceptional machines will be available throughout the day at our showcase event…and you’ll want to read all the way down. We have some breaking news!

Rolls-Royce Cullinan:

 Under the Cullinan’s hood is a 6.75 liter, twin-turbo V12 pushing out 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. This is the same engine Rolls-Royce uses for its iconic Phantom, which also shares the SUV’s aluminum-intensive platform. The famous “magic air ride” feel that rendered the Phantom peerless has also been re-engineered by adding larger air struts with greater air volume, and by strengthening the drive and prop shafts to cushion blows from the toughest terrain. Featuring all-new, all-wheel drive and an all-wheel steering system — the first in Rolls-Royce history — the Cullinan reaches a top speed of 155 miles per hour.  Approach the Cullinan and it lowers roughly 1.5 inches for easy entry, rising back to normal position upon startup. The air suspension has adaptive damping and was built specifically with a degree of off-road luxury in mind — but a Rolls-Royce kind of off-roading, with a spotlight on smooth transitions. A lone off-road button is all it takes to prep the vehicle for whatever terrain you can throw at it, and it will even ford over 21 inches of water if needed. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the incredibly capable off-roader in person at the 2018 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, 

2019 Mercedes Maybach:

“It is impossible to outdo an S-Class — except when the S-Class surpasses itself. ” -MBUSA. The Mercedes-Maybach sets the bar for “exclusivity and individuality”, celebrating the blend of luxury comfort and perfect craftsmanship, and the illuminated door sills serve to remind any who enter the vehicle, of the kind of luxury experience they’re about to embark on. From its elongated body and wheelbase, the extra space not only enables supreme comfort within but represents an iconic, more imposing form beyond. According to MBUSA, the 2019 model instantly cuts a more elevated figure than before. The grille, inspired by a pinstripe suit, strikes a note of sheer exclusivity. A two-tone exterior paint finish — now available in nine different colors — conveys the vehicle´s classic pedigree. An optional double clear coat lends an unsurpassed sense of elegance to darker paint options — with the second coat hand-applied by trained specialists. The 2019 Maybach will be available for interaction at the Mercedes-Benz Tent at the Luxury & Supercar Showcase.

Mclaren 600LT: 

The arrival of the new 600LT, which is built to excel on roads and race circuits alike, marks both the beginning of the next chapter in the McLaren ‘Longtail’ (LT) story and the setting of a new benchmark for super-sportscar performance. The new McLaren 600LT epitomizes the McLaren philosophy of producing lightweight super-sportscars that deliver extreme performance and are exceptionally rewarding to drive. With the engine management system of the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 recalibrated and less back pressure from a top-exit exhaust system that is even shorter and more extreme than that of the McLaren Senna allowing the engine to breathe more freely, the 600LT can call on peak power of 592bhp at 7,500rpm and a maximum torque output of 457lb ft at 5,500-6,500 rpm. These outputs deliver astonishing levels of performance: 0-62mph takes just 2.9 seconds, matching the acceleration of the revered McLaren 675LT Super Series model (0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds). 0-124mph is achieved in a remarkable 8.2 seconds and the 600LT can continue gathering speed to a top speed of 204mph.

LFA Nürburgring Edition:

Only 50 of the 500 LFA hand-assembled were sported with the Nürburgring package, making this unit an exciting addition to our Lexus space at the Supercar Showcase.  At its release, it was valued at over $450,000 with 562 Horsepower and quicker gear changes; the specific package features a sport-tuned suspension, exclusive black mesh-type wheels, and a larger from spoiler & a fixed rear wing for improved speed and downforce.  The unit making its way to the Luxury & Supercar Showcase is white, which perfectly accentuates the Nürburgring Race Car Influenced Styling and Performance.

Porsche 918 Spyder:

An exclusive plug-in hybrid sports car that’s nothing less than a showstopper.  We’ll keep this one short and sweet because the 918 speaks for itself. At its top end, it reaches speeds of 211 mph with 877 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque. 

Last but certainly not least, we are excited to share that a McLaren Senna has been confirmed for our showcase, and will be viewable at all ticket levels. 

 

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Park Place Brings Real-World Experience into Lewisville ISD Classroom

Park Place Dealerships provides Lewisville ISD Automotive Technology program new equipment, tools, mentors and hands-on career opportunities

Automotive programs in high schools have come a long way in the past 30 years. Think back to dimly lit, unorganized, dirty shops where students were challenged by outdated technology and insufficient tools.

Thanks to a unique public-private partnership, Lewisville ISD has a team of teaching professionals who engage students daily and work with companies like Park Place Dealerships, an auto industry leader, to prepare students for real-world applications.  

“The community engagement with Park Place gives us access to current technology and information so we are teaching our students the most up to date material,” explained Doug Emery, Automotive Technology Instructor at Lewisville ISD’s Career Center East. “We want to make sure our students are familiar with the systems, technology and equipment that dealerships are using to ensure our students are successful in the marketplace.”

Park Place is continually looking to develop the highest quality technicians for its 17 full-service dealerships located across Dallas-Fort Worth, while Lewisville ISD is always seeking career opportunities for students. This innovative public-private partnership between Park Place and Lewisville ISD provides access to master technicians, general managers, human resources, talent acquisition, service managers, and leadership from the 2000-member company.

There are tangible benefits to the students. Park Place hired seven 2018 graduates of the program as technicians at its Jaguar/Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus dealerships in Grapevine.

“The program really helped me choose a path,” said Raul Martinez, one of the 2018 grads currently working at Park Place Jaguar/Land Rover Grapevine. “Before, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I was sort of lost.  When we started working on cars I realized this was something I really enjoyed doing.”

Park Place also brings experts from different areas of the industry into the classroom as mentors.

“As we grow, we are continually looking for individuals that can be successful in our industry,” said Tony Carimi, vice-president of Operations for Park Place. “Our industry is quickly evolving so we want to expose students to the latest technology and advances in a real-world environment that focuses on personal attention and strong mentorships.”

Working with the teachers, Park Place is fully engaged with interviewing students, branding the shop with graphics of high-end manufacturers’ logos, connecting with parents and district representatives and speaking at events.

“Park Place technicians who have been in the field a long time have come into our classroom,” explained Travis Sutton, the LISD program’s other Automotive Technology Instructor. “They bring first-hand knowledge of what our students can expect, how things work and what they’ll experience in the shop. Park Place upper management comes into the classroom to tell our students they can have more than a job – they can have a career. It shows the students that what they’re learning on campus transfers directly out there.”

Park Place has a similar partnership with the John Dubiski Career High School in Grand Prairie ISD. Students are fully engaged with Park Place and a dozen students have been hired to full-time positions after graduation.

“We’re always looking to the future,” concluded Carimi. “The auto industry is evolving at a more rapid pace than ever before in its 100-plus-year history. With alternative energy sources, computerized systems and autonomous vehicles, the need for a highly educated and well-trained workforce is more important than ever. Park Place is determined to remain the leaders within our industry.”

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and represents luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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My Mercedes-Benz Saved My Life

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth Mercedes-Benz E-300
 helps local woman avoid catastrophe on US-75

“My car saved my life!” exclaimed Pamela Haney. “On the afternoon of Monday, July 9th, I was entering Central Expressway at Lovers Lane via the entrance ramp. The speed limit on US-75 is 70 mph, so I was accelerating when the car in front of me suddenly peels off, revealing a flatbed tow truck stranded on the entrance ramp.”

Ms. Haney’s 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-300 is equipped with automatic braking and evasive steering assist to avoid or mitigate a crash. This safety feature in Mercedes-Benz has been bundled with forward-collision warning for a while, but the newer E-class models initiate braking earlier when the system detects an evasive maneuver is not practical.

“I didn’t even have time to react,” continued Haney, owner of Productivity Solutions, a North Texas paralegal services company. “I instinctively braced for impact as I saw the flatbed was going to come right through my windshield. My E-300 stopped the car for me! It didn’t skid. It didn’t waver or shimmy. It just stopped on a dime! I sat there for a minute stunned with the steel bed just inches from my face. I looked up and the guys in the tow truck were looking back with their mouths open. I’m sure they thought I was a goner! In all seriousness, had I not been in this car, I probably would be dead.”

The Pre-Safe Protection System offers Supplemental Brake Assist Plus and Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Recognition. A stereo camera and a series of long, medium and short-range radars monitors the area in front of the vehicle. The information is processed in a control unit to provide supplemental or autonomous braking to prevent collisions. Haney has been a Park Place client for more than 10 years. She raves about the consistent level of professionalism at the Fort Worth dealership. “I’ve never felt pressured,” she said. “I always feel safe and secure.”

“I am thankful Mercedes-Benz is an industry leader in safety features and our team of technicians are experts in keeping every vehicle in prime condition,” said Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth General Manager George Johnson. “I shared Pamela’s story with our whole team because they can be proud of the brand and dealership they represent.”

“You better believe I’m not ambivalent any more about the technology in my car,” gushed Haney. “I love, love, love my car! I’m a loyal Mercedes-Benz customer for life. And there’s no dissuading me from keeping my business at Park Place!”

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth is located at 5601 Bryant Irvin Road, just south of I-20 and west of the Chisholm Trail Parkway.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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The Mercedes- Maybach S 650: The Most Luxurious S-Class on the Market

The 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S650 is full of cutting-edge technology and is the most luxurious four-door auto offered by Mercedes-Benz, coming in at an MSRP of $198,700.

The Most Luxurious S-Class on the Market

The 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S650 is full of cutting-edge technology and is the most luxurious four-door auto offered by Mercedes-Benz, coming in at an MSRP of $198,700.  This year saw the Maybach undergo an exterior refresh, including a new front apron ringed in chrome, taillamps with the “Stardust” effect, and an extended body.

The Maybach S650 houses a handcrafted 6.0L V12 Biturbo engine with an output of 738 lb-ft of torque. Technology updates to the transmission, including two overdrive ratios, allow for enhanced highway fuel efficiency. 

MAGIC BODY CONTROL® ensures a proactive, fully-active suspension.  The camera-based Road Surface scan eyes the road ahead to prepare the suspension before the wheels make contact with any bumps or dips in the road.  The car can gently hug and lean into corners, much like a skiier on the slopes, thanks to its CURVE functionality. The technology reduces the force felt due to external conditions, providing each passenger with a luxury experience from every seat no matter the surroundings.

Bringing User Experience to the Highest Level

The Maybach’s most notable feature remains its elongated wheelbase, which sits nearly eight inches longer than its Mercedes-Benz S Class counterpart.

The S650 interior greets the driver with a fully digital cockpit, accented with topstitched Nappa leather, which is even included on the Maybach’s ceiling. Described as the contrast between “high-level sportiness” and “luxurious spaciousness”, the Maybach is the showcase of a luxury model. A pair of high-resolution widescreens display all virtual gauges, vital information, infotainment controls, and the realistic animations of driving systems provide an unparalleled user experience. Screens are now displayed behind a single piece of glass, resulting in a sleeker cosmetic appearance. For further user customization, approximately 300 LEDs bring a unique sense of environment to the cabin- all without the use of a single conventional lightbulb. Not only does this feature provide a unique aesthetic moment, but the lighting concept also promotes a safer and less stressful environment for all aboard the Maybach.

Determined to cut down on the headache of dealing with cables on the go, the ’18 model introduces wireless phone charging to the mix. Charging can be automatically initiated by laying a phone face up on the mat located in the center. Located in the center console, charging can be automatically initiated by laying a phone face up on the charging mat.

The Best Seat in the House

The Maybach returns one of the most comfortable backseat passenger experiences, making it the heart and soul of the model. The vehicle’s extra length increases rear seat legroom, allowing for full extension of the power-operated leg rests, and a rare spacious back-seat experience for passengers.

The rear compartment includes temperature controlled seats, built-in massage features that offer two modes with a “hot stone” treatment, heated armrests, and a two-screen entertainment system. Entertainment screens attached to the front seatbacks offer rear passengers their own set of infotainment controls, as well as individual sets of wireless headphones.

For those wanting to push the backseat options further, the Maybach offers individual seat arrangements, folding tray tables, and a refrigerated box for added luxury.

Targeting those who place value on impeccable luxury, Mercedes-Maybach sets the bar for “exclusivity and individuality”, celebrating the blend of luxury comfort and perfect craftsmanship, and the illuminated door sills serve to remind any who enter the vehicle, of the kind of luxury experience they’re about to embark on.

The Maybach has officially graced the Park Place Motorcars Dallas showroom floors, so if you have any questions or inquiries regarding the most luxurious Mercedes Sedan. 

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2018 Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Raises $750,000

Fundraiser Benefits Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation’s Efforts to Help Area Youth

In keeping with the “Sultan’s Soirée” theme, magic-filled The Hilton Anatole ballroom for the Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular event.

Bedazzled and bejeweled, the Texas Rangers largest fundraising event of the year featured a roaming snake charmer and an opportunity for a photo op with a camel. Wishes were granted as fans met their diamond heroes and bid on trips they’d only dreamed about their whole lives. But the biggest winners of the 2018 Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play are the kids that will benefit from the nearly $750,000 raised for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.

 Texas Rangers Foundation Triple Play at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

 

“This was one of the most successful Triple Play events we’ve ever had,” said Karin Morris, executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “Demand for our exclusive experiences in the live auction was so strong that we were able to duplicate several of the trips to double the amount raised. Our Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, which was only a dream just a few years ago, is open and serving kids from across North Texas because of funds raised from previous years of the Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play.”

The event featured attendance by Texas Rangers players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni. Fans enjoyed unparalleled access to their favorite Rangers for autographs, photos and just chatting about baseball.

“We’re very proud to be associated with such a worthy cause,” said Gary Venner, general manager of Park Place Lexus Grapevine. “Seeing how the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has grown over the years, and all the great things they are doing for kids, makes this one of our favorite charitable events of the year.”

The highlight of the evening was the Rangers players competing against each other in a pair of hilarious game shows. This year’s competitions included the fan favorite Fielders Feud and Wheel of Fortune. The teams were made up of the following players: Fielders Feud: Infielders: Elvis Andrus, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Joey Gallo, and Jurickson Profar. Outfielders: Shin-Soo Choo, Delino DeShields, Nomar Mazara, and Ryan Rua. The infielders dominated Fielders Feud, emceed by Hall of Fame announcer Eric Nadel. The crowd roared with laughter at some of the players’ answers and the witty banter between them.

Texas Rangers Foundation Triple Play at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Fox Sports Southwest Field Reporter Emily Jones hosted Wheel of Fortune, which matched a trio of two-man teams against each other: Team #1 Tony Barnette and Jake Diekman; Team #2 Jesse Chavez and Chris Martin; Team #3 Doug Fister and Kevin Jepsen. Pitchers Fister and Jepsen were obviously on the same wavelength as they handily won Wheel of Fortune.

Texas Rangers Foundation Triple Play at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Among the items available for bidding in the live auction were a trip to Los Angeles to watch the Rangers play the Los Angeles Dodgers; a trip to Boston for the Rangers – Red Sox series at Fenway Park; a trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley aboard Rangers owner Neil Liebman’s private jet; and a five-day hunting and fishing trip to Argentina hosted by former Ranger All-Star Jim Kern.

In addition, the silent auction featured a Top Golf experience with Delino DeShields, on-field instruction and game-type experience hosted by Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister, private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive experiences. In addition, there were rare and unusual autographed memorabilia items from across the sports and entertainment worlds.

ABOUT THE TEXAS RANGERS BASEBALL FOUNDATION: Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has invested more than $30 million in our community to help children through support of programs including the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, youth health and wellness programs like the just keep livin programs, educational programs such as the Richard Greene Scholars program, and support of the military and first responders and their families.

ABOUT PARK PLACE DEALERSHIPS: Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 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, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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Your Top Selling Mercedes-Benz Receives Upgrades for 2019

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is officially the manufacturer’s top-selling model for four years in a row with worldwide sales reaching 415,000 in 2017. The 2019 sedan made its global debut at the 2018 Geneva Autoshow, premiering increased power output and extended driver assistance programs.

A More Powerful Engine

14 horsepower has been added with a new 2.0-liter inline -4 turbo engine that produces 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.  A 9G-TRONIC 9-Speed automatic transmission creates a more dynamic driving experience. The transmission transfers torque using fluid instead of a mechanical clutch, which reduces fuel consumption and increases driving performance and comfort.

Expressive Exterior

The refreshed C-Class combines emotion with intelligence, beginning with a redesigned front and LED headlamps and tail lamps, now standard in the C-Class Sedan. The modifications to the front and rear bumpers and additions of AMG-Line features create more expressive and dynamic character. The headlamps personify Mercedes-Benz attention detail with its clean-lined contours. Finally, on the exterior, two additional paint colors have been added including Mojave Silver Metallic and Emerald Green Metallic.

Interior Upgrades and Options

The interior received some fine-tuning to amp-up the driver experience and re-interpret modern luxury. The center console trim is now available in Walnut Wood or Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood, but any option will yield the look of flowing elegance. The 3D real wood veneer in the center console combines a hand-crafted character with a modern feel. Magma Grey/Black upholstery is newly available for the interior, as is Saddle Brown and Silk Beige/Black for the AMG-Line Interior.

The Display Concept: C-Class Adopts S-Class Features

A notable upgrade in the C-Class sedan includes an optional fully digital instrument display equipped with three different display styles: Classic, Sport, and Progressive. The base model provides a standard 5-inch display, but an upgrade to the fully digital instrument display will yield a 12.3-inch screen with an intense resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels. The central display is available in two sizes, a 7-inch standard display screen and an optional 10.25-inch COMAND® display screen.

State-of-the-Art Active Safety

The updated C-Class features the latest driver assistance systems available in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, offering the driver cooperative support and providing for a higher standard of active safety than its predecessor. The C-Class is able to drive semi-autonomously (in certain situations), by keeping a close eye on traffic with improved camera and radar systems allow it to see up to 1,640 feet ahead. The vehicle’s surroundings are scanned by radar across a distance of up to 820 feet to the front, 130 feet to the sides, and 260 feet to the rear, while with the camera a range of up to 1,640 feet is possible to the front, including 295 feet in 3D. 

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be available at the end of 2018, so stay tuned to Mercedes-Benz USA and Park Place Dealerships for more information and news.

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Mark Your Calendars: The Premier DFW Luxury Lifestyle and Automotive Event Returns October 2018

 Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event will return this fall to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. The second annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase is set for 10 am – 4 pm Saturday, October 13, 2018. 

“Last year’s event, celebrating our 30th anniversary, was such a huge success, we decided to bring the event back again in 2018,” said Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships Chairman and CEO. “New for this year is the expansion of the show onto the fairway of the TPC Four Seasons Championship golf course. There will be more luxury partners in the entertainment pavilion. Guests will experience fashion, tantalizing food, crafted drinks and an amazing line up of vintage, classic, modern, and supercars all set within the incredible backdrop of the Four Seasons.” 

The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, which sold out in its inaugural year, is open to the public with tickets ranging from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, including the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages. Tickets are available online at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com.

The event benefits the Momentous Institute, owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, which is committed to building and repairing social and emotional health for 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. 

Within the family-friendly event will be a juried Collector’s Showcase featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, and classic cars from private collectors. Trophies designed by Dallas sculptor Brad Oldham, best known for the Traveling Man installation in Deep Ellum, will be awarded to Best of Show, Chairman’s Choice and Salesmanship Club Choice winners. Trophies will also be given to Best In Class and First and Second Place winners in each of the individual categories. 

The event will feature fashion from Highland Park Village, live music, specialty boutiques, and a Kid’s Concours area presented by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, featuring the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s interactive Hot Wheels track, freshly popped popcorn, soda pop truck and games. 

Park Place represents some of the most coveted manufacturers in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Lotus, which also will be featured at the event.

Partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Urban Realty Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate, Celebrity Cruises, Absolut Elyx, GH Mumm Champagne, Hill & Wilkinson, Irving CVB, The Trade Group, Brad Oldham Sculpture, Hagerty Insurance, Garages of Texas, Perks & Provisions, Lilium Florals, Lisa R. Daniels, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades, Promo Resources Sunnyland Outdoor Furniture, ExxonMobil, D Magazine, NBC 5, as well as Patron Magazine.

Participating restaurants to date in the VIP lounge include LAW, OUTLAW Taproom, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Taverna, Bistro 31, Kāi, Toulouse Café and Bar, Cool River Café and Make Your Life Sweeter. 

 

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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What To Do This Weekend: The 2018 DFW Auto Show

Park Place Dealerships and a multitude of luxury automotive manufacturers have set the stage with stellar lineups of automotive’s ‘best’. Park Place Dealerships, one of the only dealership groups to make an appearance, are back and ready to share our exceptional vehicles with spectators, experts, enthusiasts, and up-and-coming aficionados alike. 

Here is a preview of some of the show-stopping models brought by the Park Place Premier Collection, that you will experience at this year’s auto show: 

  • 2018 Bentley Bentayga: Far more than good. Far more than fast. And currently not occupied in any current class, evidenced by its 600hp, twin-turbocharged W12 motor, 8-speed gearbox, and one of the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems ever developed.
  • Lotus Evora 400: A true picture of Lotus sportscar tradition of high-performance power and precision handling. Developed on the racetrack to be perfect on the road with its lightweight construction, exceptional agility, aerodynamic styling, and uncompromising performance.
  • Mclaren Sport Series featuring the McLaren 570s: This is a magnificent, hand-built series is built around a similar carbon-fiber tub that the first MP4 12C was based upon. With twice as strong aluminum and half the weight, the monocell allows for unprecedented power to weight ratio and handling precision. This 562 hp car is as comfortable on the road as it is on the track. The 570s spider goes from 0-60 in a staggering 3.1 seconds and is now firmly placed in the supercar category with pricing starts at $208,800.
  • Newly Redesigned 2018 Maserati Gran Turismo: Equipped with a new interior infotainment center and a refreshed front end, the Gran Turismo remains as timeless as ever before.
  • Maserati Ghibli: The Ghibli represents a full, assertive, elegant alternative in an ocean of cars that look, feel, and sound the same. With starting price of $73,050, it is unquestionable the value that the Ghibli represents. It is a personification of the inspiration for the brand, old-world Italian style and sculpture interpreted through the modern eyes of Maserati.

The pièces de résistance of the display is the $3.2 million Bugatti Chiron which is powered by an 8-cylinder, 16 liter, quad-turbocharged, and an almost unfathomable 1,479 horsepower motor. This certainly should be at the top of your Autoshow “To-Do” list. Porsche, Lexus, Mercedes, Jaguar and Landrover all have equally as impressive brand displays with experts ready to answer all your questions and help you explore the world of modern luxury at the DFW Autoshow. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Be sure to check out the Park Place Dealerships booth and visit with one of our Experts to find how you can win an exceptional prize package including:

2 V.I.P Tickets to the 2018 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase

A weekend use of a Maserati

One a night stay at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas in Las Colinas

DFW Auto Show Information

Date: Feb 14-18, 2018

Times

Wednesday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ticket Prices

$14 for adults

$7 for senior citizens 65 and older

$7 for children 6 to 12 years old; children 5 and under admitted free

$10 for active and retired Military members (ID is required)