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The Collector’s Behind the Cars: Supercar Showcase Concours Preview

On September 28th, you’ll experience three different concourses including Car Club Expo, New Car Concours with the latest from Park Place, and then the showstopping Collector’s Concours featuring some of the absolute best Texas- and beyond- has to offer. 

Here are some of the vehicles, and the stories behind the cars, that you’ll see on this year’s Collector’s Concours:

1967 Corvette Westlake, Collector: Rob Anderson

 It’s an original, unrestored, Corvette with 427/435 HP engine. This amazing car retains all of its original components including the original paint.

1973 Lotus Elan +2S/130, Collector: Gordon Sauer

Purchased in 1989, this ’73 Lotus Elan was subjected to a complete restoration to bring it back to its original showroom condition,” said Sauer. “It was the final year of the +2 Elan in the United States. It has the big valve motor and the silver-metal-flake-in-clear roof that was used to designate that model.”

1972 Olsmobile 442 W30, Collector: Steve Lucchi

“Ol’ Blue is one of only 289 Olds 442 W-30 4-speed coupes built in 1972,” said Lucchi. “Assembled at the Lansing, Michigan plant, the first three owners lived in the Lansing area.  The original owner “lost” the car in divorce proceedings. The third owner purchased the vehicle in 1984 as an incentive for his son to finish high school.  The car was driven until 1990, then parked in the owner’s garage for 27 years. In 2017, the car underwent a $110,000, 1200-man-hour, frame-off, Concours restoration. The decision was made to leave the original back glass, which still has a parking permit from East Lansing High School affixed. In 2017 Ol’ Blue won “Concours Gold” and “Best of Show – Oldsmobile” at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago. Last year, she won Best of Show at the Olsmobile Club of America Nationals. I’m excited to introduce her to Dallas, Texas.”

1971 Alfa Romeo Montreal Coup, Collector: Val Herrera

“I own a small collection of classic Alfa Romeo cars that I have restored,” said Herrera. “This well cared for, all original and correct, Alfa Montreal was manufactured in Arese, Italy in 1971. It was first registered in 1973, imported to Canada, then came to the United States in the early 1980s. This “matching numbers” low mileage Montreal retains its original Alfa V8 engine, five-speed ZF gearbox and original, numbered body/chassis components. I acquired this “factory-correct” Montreal in 2002 and completed a multi-year cosmetic restoration in 2006. It’s won many awards. Including Best in Class and Best of Show awards at Concours d’Elegance shows around the U.S. and Canada.”

1956 Mercedes-Benz 190SL, Collector: Whiney Stark

“I’ve always loved the 1950 – 70s classic Mercedes convertibles,” explained Stark. “In February 2014, after several months of searching, I found a partially restored 1956 190SL in Colorado. Initially I was considering a sympathetic restoration, meaning paint and minor repairs only. However, after discovering the floor were really fiberglass, I decided to do a complete Concours level restoration. I worked with three restoration shops in Colorado, the Mercedes Classic Center in California, and a specialty parts dealer in Maryland for over four years. The car won First Place in the German Classic class at the 2018 Park Place Supercar Showcase – a great honor. I enjoy meeting other car enthusiasts and talking about classic cars at local shows. My family enjoys the car as well. In fact, my daughter used the car as a backdrop for her senior photos recently.”

1969 Cheverlot Chevelle SS 396, Collector: Guhan Raghu

“My 1969 Chevelle SS 396 is a personal “holy grail” car for me,” said Raghu. “Having owned and restored over 20 classic cars, my opinion of the  Chevelle is that it signifies the best of the late ‘60s offerings of American Muscle. This car had a frame-off restoration to show quality, and is a consistent winner at North Texas car shows. My family and I will enjoy this car for many years (and miles) to come.”

The Collectors’ Concours will be displayed on the first Fairway of the TPC Golf Course and will include a 1916 Stutz Bearcat; 1936 Pierce Arrow; 1966 Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent-a-Racer; 1983 Ferrari 308 GTS and many other rare vehicles.

Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event will return to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019, rain or shine.

Purchase Tickets: LuxurySupercarShowcase.com

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Top 3 Tips for Supercar Showcase Concours Etiquette

“A car show is like a museum- the same rules apply.”

We are nearing the next Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, where  Park Place Dealerships, Car Collectors, and local partners will come together at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas to celebrate the rare, the exotic, and the high-performance at an event that puts the “SUPER” in supercar.

Our 3rd Annual Showcase features our expanded Concours with classes sure to tickle your fancy- including Supercar, International, Race Cars, and American Muscle.  We are elated to welcome you on the Concours for an experience like none-other in Dallas-Fort Worth. So whether you are a car show pro or an infrequent goer to such events, we want to ensure you are prepped and ready to enjoy your Concours Experience to fullest while keeping our Collectors’ Cars in pristine condition throughout the day.  

We consulted with industry experts and Collectors for the top 3 Concours Commandments for guests to follow for an elevated supercar showcase and concours experience:

First, Don’t Touch Without Permission From the Collector.

This is quite possibly the most important commandment for guests and collectors alike. The cars that will be featured on the Concours are not just a car, they are pieces of art and history and should be treated as such.  Sean Walker of Hagerty Classic Cars likens a show field to that of a museum- “the same rules apply.” Leaning on or trying to sit in the cars, while seemingly harmless, should be avoided out of respect for the cars and their collectors.

Additionally, this commandment extends to being mindful of your accessories. Whether it be a metal belt buckle, bangles, a refreshing beverage, or a savory bite from our local chefs- all these items can be the source of unintentional scratches, grease marks, or spills. Simply be mindful, and you’ll be just fine. 

But, Do Treat the Cars Like Works of Art and Ask First

Our collectors may be perfectly fine with you snapping a quick photo or opening the door to get a close-up view of their pride and joy, but it’s key to ask their permission first. Brian Ratcliff of Ratcliff Financial Services INC., and seasoned collector, suggests a distance of 2-3 feet from the vehicle.

Second, Don’t Not Ask the Collector Questions

Remember the rule of a double negative? Well, this don’t is actually a do: Do ask questions. With so much history congregated on our Concours, it’s pertinent to indulge your car curiosity and our collector’s pride in their submissions. Every car has a story and most likely, the Collector will be more than delighted to share it with you. Remember that these cars are typically the result of a requited passion, and each person may have a different reason as to why they became a collector or what sparked their interest.

But, Do Ask Questions and Permission for Photos

With repetition comes emphasis. “It’s not just a car- there’s a story behind every single one of them,” says Walker. With over 100 collectors, there’s something new to learn about your favorite American Muscle car or sleek Italian driving machine. Get the full story by asking the person behind the plaque, and then ask their permission for a photo so the memory can be shared.

Finally, Don’t Skip, but Do Attend the Awards Ceremony.

The Collectors’ Concours is being evaluated by a panel of highly qualified judges to name Best In Show and Best In Class. This year, the awards will be presented on our Lexus Live stage, making it an exciting and energetic apex of the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase. Keep these three Concours Commandments in mind, and you’ll be set for an exceptional showcase experience, so reserve your VIP experience via the link below. 

We’ll see you on the Concours soon!

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Details for the 2019 Haute Hat Contest at Supercar Showcase

The 3rd Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase is coming in haute!

We are counting down the days to the Park Place Dealership’s largest annual event and we can’t wait to see you there. Though there will be many attractions to visit throughout the day, one that has people really buzzing is the Haute Hat Contest. Here’s how it works…

Guests are encouraged to spice up their outfit with either a handmade or ready-made hat. Think about channeling your inner Kentucky Derby side and get creative! The options are endless.

Here are some key things to remember the day of the event to make sure you don’t miss the competition: 

  • Meet and Greet with the Mad Hatter from 12:30-1:15 PM: There will be a meet and greet with Dallas’ Mad Hatter, Shane Walker, at 12:30 PM next to the Million Air stage inside the Porsche Pavilion tent. This will be the time that you will get to interact with the Mad Hatter and tell him a little about you and your hat. Maybe you bought it while traveling, made it by hand, or found it at a flea market! Every hat has a story behind it and we want to know yours!
  • Grab a Seat for the Highland Park Village Fashion Show at 2PM The Haute Hate Contest will begin immediately after. So get ready to strut your stuff down the aisle and showcase your best accessory!
  • Awards include Grand Prize and Runner Up for both men and women (ladies and gents).

We can’t wait to see you on September 28th

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Fashion Rules The Day at The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase

Ladies will be dressed to the nines and gentlemen will be styling as they stroll around the lush grounds of the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas Saturday, September 28 during the 3rd annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase. Suggested attire for the day is Concours Casual.

“Being fashionable and keeping in mind the setting is key,” explains Highland Park Village Personal Shopper Liz Thrash. “Guests have the unique opportunity to see hundreds of the world’s most impressive vehicles along the Four Seasons fairway, so finding a look that’s sensible given the turf and elements, but also striking, is what the day is all about. For ladies, a flare of bold color and pattern is always a good idea, and think breathable fabrics and tailored casual for the men – from a chic dress with a striking pattern to a sharp blazer and versatile pants.”

Highland Park Village’s personal shopping team can help ladies or gents put together just the right outfit for comfort and style.

“Focusing on statement accessories is always a simple way to have a high impact,” continues Thrash. “Think bold handbags that are easy to carry, earrings that provide the wow factor, and a flowy dress or low block heels that will make the day that much more enjoyable!”

Highland Park Village will present a runway fashion show produced by Jan Strimple Productions on the Million Air Stage inside the climate-controlled Porsche Pavilion at 1:30 p.m. The exciting show will feature Fall looks from prestigious brands Alice + Olivia, MARKET, St. John, Trina Turk, and Theory. Several brands will have retail pop-up shops inside the Porsche Pavilion for guests to browse throughout the day.

“Take the opportunity to elevate key elements,” adds Thrash. “Theory’s collection of stylish sneakers is perfect for the man who appreciates incredible craftsmanship but with a sporty edge. And block heels or a fun fashion sneaker is also perfect for the ladies!”

While fashion may rule the day, there will be plenty of flashy cars to peruse.

The Collectors’ Concours is a juried showcase of rare classic, luxury, and supercars from private collectors on the 1st Fairway of the TPC Golf Course.  More than 100 incredible cars will be on display, including a 1916 Stutz Bearcat; 1936 Pierce Arrow; 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL; 1965 Corvette Stingray; 1966 Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent-a-Racer; 1983 Ferrari 308 GTS and more.

The Club Car Expo, powered by Park Up Front, will be displayed on the 18thth fairway and represents some of the best car clubs in North Texas, including the Mercedes-Benz Club of America; Lamborghini Club of Dallas; Porsche Club of America – Maverick Region; Corvette Legends of TX; McLaren Club; Jaguar Owners Association; Texas Shelby North Texas and the Ferrari Club Dallas.

The Park Place New Car Concours will feature the latest models from each of the luxury brands the dealership group represents, including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Karma, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover.

Kids Zone

There will truly be something for everyone with the Kids Zone, featuring electric mini luxury and performance cars for the kids to drive, the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s 60-foot downhill Hot Wheels track, a soda pop truck and more.

Rain Or Shine

The 3rdrd annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase will be held rain or shine September 28 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.

Tickets

Online tickets range from $25 – $50 for show field and general admission and $100 for VIP All-Access Pass, which includes food and beverage tastings and access to the Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Lounge. VIP tickets have sold out the previous two years. General Admission and Showfield tickets will be available at the gate the day of the show. Kids two and under are free. For more information, visit luxurysupercarshowcase.com.

Restaurants featured in the Allie Beth Allman – URBAN VIP Lounge include The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions.

Benefitting Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation

The luxury lifestyle event benefits the Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation.

Park Place Dealerships has donated a 2020 Lexus UX to be raffled off the day of the event. Tickets for the raffle may be purchased online at irvingfoundation.bswhealth.com or by visiting Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation at 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd. Irving. Tickets are $100 each and participants need not be present to win. Proceeds will benefit Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center – Irving.

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 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Karma, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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Park Place’s Super September Giveaway: What Is It?

If you said “It’s probably just a sales promotion,” you’d only be half right!

Since you know us, you know that we do things differently, so we aren’t holding back when it comes to all the bells and whistles.

Here’s the pitch — if you purchase a vehicle in September at any of our dealerships and you’re automatically entered to win:

  • Two VIP tickets to the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase on Saturday, September 28, 2019.
  • Complimentary valet parking for Showcase.
  • Complimentary stay and golf package for two at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.

There are rules, of course, but pretty reasonable ones.

  • You have to buy a vehicle on or before September 25th to be eligible to win.
  • The giveaway is non-transferable.
  • Complimentary valet is good for one vehicle at the Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase.
  • VIP tickets are super-valuable but not for cash – they have to be redeemed for the 2019 showcase.
  • The complimentary hotel stay is valid for one night at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas and NOT eligible for the weekend of September 27-29.
  • You’ll need to contact the Four Seasons for details on room availability, booking tee times, and the golf package. It’s valid for one year from issue date.

All in all, not a bad gig – especially if you’re thinking about trading in your whip anyway.

Look forward to seeing you soon – and if you’re the lucky winner, we’ll see you at the Showcase, too! 

Learn More: http://bit.ly/ParkPlaceSuperSeptember

 

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Park Place Dealerships Releases 2019 Luxury & Supercar Showcase App

IRVING, Texas (Aug. 21, 2019) – Park Place Dealerships released the 2019 Luxury & Supercar Showcase app with current information about the 3rd annual premier lifestyle event on September 28 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. The app will provide up-to-date information about what to wear, when to arrive, where to park, live music schedules, meet and greets, maps of the event and more. The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase app is free and available for download from the App Store.

“We introduced the app in the second year of the event and guests really embraced it,” said Kaylie Hitch, marketing coordinator for Park Place Dealerships. “We spent the past year enhancing the offerings such as the schedule tab where users can now create a personal agenda of events to attend such as music performances on the outdoor Lexus Live Stage as well as the fashion show, hat contest, and awards presentation.”

Within the activity feed, guests can post and share photos in real time leading up to and during the event. App users also will find information about retailers and sponsors participating in the Luxury & Supercar Showcase.

The vehicle directory on the 2019 Luxury & Supercar Showcase app also delivers information about the vehicles to be showcased in three distinctive areas including the Park Place New Car Concours, the Collectors’ Concours, and the Car Club Expo. With hundreds of vehicles committed to participate, the app allows users to search through the different categories of vehicles.

Park Place New Car Concours will feature the latest models from every brand the dealership group represents including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Karma, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.

Collectors’ Concours is a juried showcase of rare classic, luxury, and supercars cars from private collectors on the 1st Fairway of the TPC.  A sampling of the 100+ cars includes:

  • 1916 Stutz Bearcat
  • 1936 Pierce Arrow
  • 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
  • 1965 Corvette Stingray
  • 1966 Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent-a-Racer
  • 1983 Ferrari 308 GTS

Club Car Expo will be displayed on the 18th fairway and represents some of the best car clubs in North Texas, including:

  • Mercedes-Benz Club of America
  • Lamborghini Club of Dallas
  • Porsche Club of America – Maverick Region
  • Corvette Legends of TX
  • McLaren Club
  • Jaguar Owners Association
  • Texas Shelby North Texas
  • Ferrari Club Dallas

The 3rd annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase will be held rain or shine Saturday, September 28 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.

Online tickets range from $25 – $50 for show field and general admission and $100 for VIP All Access Pass, which includes food and beverage tastings and access to the Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Lounge. VIP tickets have sold out the previous two years. For more information, visit luxurysupercarshowcase.com.

The luxury lifestyle event benefits the Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation.

Park Place Dealerships has donated a 2020 Lexus UX to be raffled at the Park Place Luxury Supercar Showcase. Tickets for the raffle may be purchased online at irvingfoundation.bswhealth.com or by visiting Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation at 1901 N. MacArthur Blvd. Irving. Tickets are $100 each and participants need not be present to win. Proceeds will benefit Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center – Irving.

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 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, Karma, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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The Path to Porsche Perfection: Service Tips from the Pros

“This 911 GT3 R isn’t that different from the street version,” insists Andrew McNamara, gesturing at a race car that, with its roll cage, massive hood scoop, enigmatic dash switches and bare-bones interior, looks nothing like a showroom model at all.

“It’s got air conditioning,” he adds with a helpful laugh.

As Car Chief for Park Place Motorsports, Andrew oversees a 15-member team responsible for several high-performance cars that compete in numerous racing series, including the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship organized by IMSA (International Motor Sports Association).

His team keeps these vehicles at the ready, starting with pre-race shop preparation, track support, maintenance and, when it’s show time, lightning-fast pit stops. Afterwards, they tear down each car and start all over again.

As a result, he’s well acquainted with every screw, nut, bolt, fastener, headlight, pedal and tank on all the cars under his care. Believe him when he says there are more service similarities between a race car and a daily driver than one might think.

In particular, he’s referring to “consumables,” or things that are subject to wear and tear and need replacing, as well as general maintenance.

“We go through things in 60 minutes that you might not go through in 60 months, but the care principles are quite similar,” he says. “It’s a matter of degree. Tires on your 911 daily driver will go 10, 20 thousand miles, maybe more, and last several years, whereas we go through three or four sets in a weekend. You might flush your brake fluid every two or three years. We do it almost daily. Same with brake pads. And you’ll probably never need, or want, to look into your gas tank. For us, it’s a must.”

“Race car tolerances are much higher than for a daily driver,” says Jenny Drummond, Service Director for Park Place Porsche Dallas. “But the essentials are the same. It’s common sense to keep up with regular maintenance, because it’ll extend a vehicle’s life and keep performance levels where they need to be.”

In her 18-year career at Park Place, Jenny recognizes Porsche’s absolute commitment to precision, build quality and excellence. But she also acknowledges that things break now and then.

“They’re machines and machines break,” she explains. “Perhaps an owner lowered the convertible top in higher-than-recommended wind one too many times. The important thing is that when something goes wrong, we’ve got the correct tools and technical expertise to make it right again.”

“Jenny and her team are experts,” Andrew adds. “I see the same cars over and over, but they see thousands of different Porsches a year. Very little surprises them. They know, better than anyone, the ins-and-outs of how to keep their client’s cars in tip-top shape.”

Jenny and Andrew’s Top Ten List for Daily Driving Porsche Perfection

  1. Porsche gave you an operating manual, so read it. Not as entertaining as a Harry Potter novel but when it comes to caring for your car, the info is magical.
  2. Oil is your vehicle’s lifeblood. Change it every 3,500 miles (for conventional), and 7,500 – 10,000 miles (for synthetic). Don’t drive that much? Change it every year.
  3. Bringing a 911 to a whoa is super-important – check brake pads and rotors at every oil change. And change your brake fluid every two years (or sooner if you’re assertive with the pedal).
  4. Check your coolant and use Porsche-brand, as it’s synthetic and only needs replacement every ten years.
  5. Check tire pressure and tread depth monthly. Even if your tires are low mileage, check the date code – if they’re six years old (or more), replace them. Old tires lose their grip and detract from the exceptional driving experience you deserve.
  6. Your 911 is fuel-injected but it still needs new air filters every 40,000 miles or so, depending on how clean they are. Be wary of aftermarket filters that claim to increase horsepower.
  7. Speaking of filters, don’t forget to change your cabin air filter annually to keep that sweaty sock smell at bay.
  8. Batteries are just like people – they don’t do well when idle. Give them some exercise every week, if not daily, with a nice drive. And a Porsche battery maintainer is a savior if you don’t drive daily.
  9. Keep your spark plugs sparkling with regular changes every 30,000 miles (for turbos) and 40,000 miles (for non-turbos) or every four years. And check that owner’s manual for the best type of plugs for your vehicle.
  10. Keep your interior neat and tidy. Won’t help your mechanicals but a clean Porsche is a happy Porsche and makes for happy drivers and passengers, too.

Interested in following Park Place Motorsports? Check their upcoming schedule of events.

Click to schedule an appointment for your Porsche at Park Place Porsche Dallas or Park Place Porsche Grapevine.

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Unveiled: McLaren’s Ultimate Roadster Is Next Ultimate Series

Last week, CEO Mike Flewitt announced a new member of the McLaren Ultimate Series family: an open cockpit roadster that yes, we are already ready to test drive.

We don’t know too much about this reveal, but from what’s been shared McLaren is clearly continuing their mission to create the ultimate driving machine- and this new roadster offers the purest driving experience to date.

Their last few releases included the McLaren Senna, the 600LT and 600LT Coupe, and the New Grand Tourer, all of which have caused waves in the supercar community. Earlier this year Park Place told the story of McLaren enthusiast and owner, Josh Snowhorn, as he took delivery of his barely-street legal McLaren Senna- a sibling in the Ultimate Series. As we sit eagerly awaiting his track-ready creation, this ultimate roadster is now top of mind as McLaren hasn’t released full details yet.

What We Know:

  • McLaren’s Ultimate Roadster is set to debut in 2020
  • the new ultimate series model is still unnamed
  • the design will be distinct from its siblings, the Senna and Speedtail
  • production is limited to 399 
  • two-seater with low-profile dihedral doors
  • this roadster will sport the lowest kerb weight of any McLaren road car
  • performance guaranteed by the same twin-turbo V* engine in the Senna

 One things for sure and Mike Flewitt said it best “At McLaren Automotive we are consistently pushing the boundaries to deliver the purest and most engaging driving experience whether for the road or track.”

So the next thing to do is sit back, relax, and begin to configure your dream superseries roadster until it’s official reveal in 2020. Until then, stay tuned to McLaren Dallas and McLaren Houston for more information.

 

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Mercedes-AMG Track Fans Anticipating Exclusive GT Model

Sports car aficionados and automotive media types alike have been falling all over themselves with praise for the Mercedes-AMG GT family. And for good reason.  

First, there’s the lineup’s superb, no-nonsense precision performance. Then there’s the sleek, muscular architecture that makes the cars seem to quiver just while standing still. Put those va-va-voom looks and vroom-vroom delivery together and voila! A one-two punch of epic proportions. 

And now, for 2020, comes the latest iteration of their fire-breathing, mind-blowing flagship: the AMG GT R PRO.

The PRO’s snarling AMG V-8 (585 hp, 516 lb-ft of torque) and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission are unchanged (and shared with the less-fierce but still formidable GT R). The PRO, however, features tuning revisions translated from AMG’s GT3 and GT4 race cars, an adjustable coil-over suspension and tweaks to both the gearbox and limited-slip differential. Aerodynamic carbon fiber enhancements like front fender vents (or “gills”), an adjustable front axle sway bar and a fixed rear spoiler, all contribute to improved downforce and a 0-60 mph sprint in 3.5 seconds.

These enhancements helped AMG GT3 racing driver Maro Engel swoop the 2020 PRO around Germany’s famed Nürburgring North Loop in exactly 7.04.632 minutes – six seconds better than the previous PRO. In track time, that’s an eternity.

And even if you’re not a track rat, who can resist that race-inspired paint job of Gloss Light Green and Selenite Grey Magno?

The PRO is a purpose-built vehicle in that it’s designed primarily for track performance. As such, production is limited to just 750 units globally, with about 150 aimed at the U.S. market. For those lucky enough to snag a PRO, the rewards will be exclusivity, staggering performance and impressive leaderboard track stats.

Pricing starts at $199,650 with delivery expected in late 2019. Did you know that Park Place Motorcars is certified AMG Performance Center? Visit our showroom to experience AMG customization and performance for yourself.

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Safety Update: Volvo Cars and POC Develop Car-Bike Helmet Crash Test

If there’s one thing Volvo Cars is known for, it’s safety first. It’s in their DNA. Many manufacturers make it a priority to have their brand meet the minimum safety requirements to be on the road, but Volvo takes it one step further. They not only want to keep the people in their cars safe but the people around them as well.

With technology like Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection coming standard with all Volvo models, the brand has yet to be satisfied and has continued to develop new ways to evolve in the world of safety.

Recently, Volvo has partnered with POC, a Swedish sports apparel company, to conduct a ground breaking new research project that aims to further protect cyclists through a series of crash test with bike helmets against cars.

During these tests, POC bike helmets are worn by crash dummy heads mounted on a testing rig, from where they are launched towards different areas of the hood of a static Volvo car, at different speeds and angles for various measurements.

Nothing has ever been done like this before. The learnings from the research project will help POC make its helmets safer and more protective in the event of a car-bike accident, while the tests will also provide valuable insights and learnings for Volvo Cars into these types of accidents for future development.

With pedestrian/cyclist deaths continuing to rise each year, it’s important for manufacturers to never limit their willingness to look beyond the parameters of what is “required” when conducting their safety tests.  Volvo is a great example of a brand that has continued to challenge themselves and innovate new technologies to improve road safety. Because with better road safety, more people can be around to watch Volvo thrive