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Why Luxury Featuring the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

When comparing base luxury models with an economy class, the differences lie in the details. At first glance, the two vehicles seem comparable in price and size, with subtle, yet impactful nuances distinguishing the 2018 Mercedes C 300 from your average mid-size car. In this continuation of our Why Luxury series, we are comparing the highly rated 2017 Nissan Maxima Platinum with the new 2018 Mercedes Benz C 300, a bold entrance for anyone entering the luxury automotive segment. 

Luxury Perks: the 2018 Mercedes C 300 vs. 2017 Nissan Maxima Platinum
The MSRP for the 2017 Nissan Maxima Platinum comes in at $40,340, with the average price paid between $37,034 and $39,482 per data from both Edmunds and Cargurus. The Nissan is Front Wheel Drive, 300 hp, contains a 6 cylinder engine, and with 21 and 30 MPG, city and highway fuel economy, respectively.

The base 2018 Mercedes C 300 is a 9-Speed Automatic Transmission, Rear Wheel Drive, boasting 24 MPG (city) and 33 MPG (highway). The C-Class sedan’s base MSRP begins at $40,250, and offers a similar average price paid range to the Nissan Maxima Platinum for the base model at $37,083 and $41,618 (per Cargurus and Edmunds respectively). This base model has just under 250 hp with a 4 cylinder turbocharged engine.   The new C 300 boasts an athletic and sleek design based off the S-Class, making the prestige of luxury a bit more attainable for a larger market of drivers.

So what’s the difference? The vehicles are essentially comparable when only referencing these basic statistics. The C 300 is wider and has a couple more inches of passenger leg room, while the 2017 Nissan Platinum is longer and has more leg room available for the front passenger and driver. So besides badge appeal- what differentiates the new C-Class as luxury in comparison to the highly rated Nissan Maxima?

More Options for a Customizable, Luxury Experience

The 2017 Nissan Maxima Platinum is the second generation of Nissan’s newest body style and the interior metal scimitar finisher claimed to be a Nissan first, as they attempted to exude a vehicle design a couple classes above Nissan Standard. The Platinum receives Alcantara seats, but if a consumer were to purchase a lower grade model of the 2017 Maxima, they would be left with standard, cloth seats.  Albeit with a “sophisticated pinstripe cloth pattern.” The challenge in incorporating design items previously marked as “luxury” or “ultra-luxury” is remaining cost-effective while still adding a unique exotic flare.

The 2018 Mercedes Benz C Class interior is appropriately described as “lovely” in a recent Kelly Blue Book expert review.  The array of wood and aluminum finishes and clutter free layout allow the C 300, even at a base price, to feel elegant. The additional packages, like a fragrance diffuser that integrates with the AC system, are available to further classify this model as truly upscale and customizable for the individual client.  There are over 10 exterior color options available, similar to that of the Nissan Maxima, but the array of optional packages trumps the two K10 and W10 packages available to customize the Platinum edition Maxima according to Cargurus.

Optional packages to customize your 2018 C-Class include:

  • LED Headlamps
  • AMG Line Upgrade
  • Advanced Lighting
  • Leather Seating Package
  • Head Up Display
  • Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
  • Panorama Sunroof
  • Multi-Media Package
  • Black leather steering wheel with Burl Walnut Inlays
  • Black Nappa Leather design combos

Manufacturer Warranty and Service Experiences:

A new 2017 Nissan Maxima Platinum comes with a basic 3 year/36,000 mile manufacturer warranty, a 5year, 60,000 miles drivetrain warranty, and a 3year/36,000 mile cap for roadside assistance. 

In comparison, a new 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 comes standard with a 4 year/50,000 miles basic warranty, a 4 year/50,000 mile Drivetrain warranty, and unlimited roadside assistance. Additionally, at a Park Place Motorcars location, all clients are privy to a first-class ownership experience, including a team of service experts to maintain your vehicle’s performance capabilities, technologies, and keep the exterior looking pristine with complimentary car washes, far after the initial purchase.

Price Tag: Is it worth it?

The 2017 Nissan Maxima Platinum provides a buyer with the illusion of luxury and has been recognized as a fantastic move for the Nissan brand, but the 40k plus price tag could be viewed as a bit pricey for the badge its associated with, despite its upgrade in features.

One of the obvious benefits of owning a luxury vehicle is the prestige and high-performance experience that pair with the iconic badge. When purchasing a Mercedes-Benz 2018 C-Class, it is a sign that you very well might be on your way towards S-Class heights…even if your wallet doesn’t allow for it just yet.  While true one has to pay for the optional packages, it’s the ability to essentially bespoke your entry-level luxury vehicle with additional first-class materials and technology that stands out above the economy brands. 

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Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Makes Its Global Debut

The show car is the highlight of AMG’s 50th Anniversary- an apt assertion as it produces over 1,000 hp and reaches speeds beyond 217 mph. Truly, the Mercedes-AMG Project one is a first of its kind, combining exceptional racetrack performance with the day to day suitable Formula 1 hybrid technology and impressive efficiency.

The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE made its global debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany.  This two-seater supersports show car incorporates some of the very latest, fully fledged Formula 1 hybrid technology seamlessly from the track to the road. The show car is the highlight of AMG’s 50th Anniversary- an apt assertion as it produces over 1,000 hp and reaches speeds beyond 217 mph. Truly, the Mercedes-AMG Project one is a first of its kind, combining exceptional racetrack performance with the day to day, suitable Formula 1 hybrid technology and impressive efficiency.

This AMG GT Concept supersports show car is a glimpse into the future of high performance-hybrid drive strategy of the Mercedes-Benz sports car brand.

 

Blending the world of motorsports and racing technology with everyday driving is a dream turned reality for engineers.  “The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is the first Formula 1 car with MOT approval. Our highly efficient hybrid assembly stems from motor racing and the electrically powered front axle generates a fascinating mixture of performance and efficiency. ”Ola Källenius says, Member of the Daimler AG Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

Some of the technical specs of this new powerful concept are below:

  Mercedes-AMG Project ONE show car
Rear-wheel drive 1.6-liter V6 with direct injection, four valves per cylinder, four overhead camshafts and electrically boosted single turbocharger, electric motor connected to the crankshaft
Engine capacity 1,600 cc
Rear-wheel drive output > 500 kW
Front-wheel drive output 2 x 120 kW
System output > 740 kW (> 1,000 hp)
Electric range 25 km
Drive system Variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with hybrid-drive rear axle, electrically driven front axle and torque vectoring
Transmission Automated AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8-speed manual transmission
Acceleration 0-200 km/h < 6 secs.
Top speed > 350 km/h

Beauty Meets Formula 1 Beast

The show car is undoubtedly inspired by the world of motorsport, but most importantly, it still illuminates the Mercedes-AMG principle that fascination is linked to function. Each part. Each design decision has a purpose, resulting in a mid-engine concept.  The proportions are muscular; the cockpit is forward with large wheel arches, a wasp waist, and an extended rear end.

“The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is the hottest and coolest car we have ever designed. It combines our design philosophy of Sensual Purity with the performance of our Formula 1 racing cars and is the perfect embodiment of Performance Luxury,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG. “This hypercar’s extreme design marks a milestone in design – there are no lines, and the interior is stripped down to the essentials.”

The Future of Driving Performance

The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE brings Premier class racetrack performance and a full day to day riding stability in an ultimate driving machine. The future of AMG cars is powerful as Project ONE will help engineers obtain priceless findings of performance-oriented plug-in hybrid drive technology, suspension layouts, and onboard electronics for the benefit of the series production AMG cars. The future of Project ONE is exciting, and the team is working hard to bring this vision onto the road.  

For full Mercedes-AMG Project ONE specs click here.

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Stuff the Trunk with Park Place Lexus Plano

Park Place Lexus Plano invites the community to share in our efforts to support the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and to fill our Lexus trunk with new teddy bears! Through the end of the month, Park Place Lexus Plano will be collecting new, stuffed teddy bears in conjunction with the 25th Annual Teddy Bear Ride on October 29. New teddy bears can be dropped off at Park Place Lexus Plano at 6785 Dallas Parkway and Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. 

To sign up for the Teddy Bear Ride or simply find the details so you can cheer on riders the morning of October 29th, visit www.collincounty.org/teddybearride

  • $15/bike + new teddy bear to donate
  • $20/bike (inclusive of lunch from PDQ at end location) + new teddy bear to donate 

Thank you- in advance- for all your support and assistance. We look forward to seeing you and your teddys at Park Place Lexus Plano!

About Park Place Dealerships:

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, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. Park Place’s new Land Rover Jaguar dealership opened last month in Grapevine. A new Park Place Porsche dealership debuts in Grapevine next year. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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Park Place Volvo Supports The Children’s Trust to Enhance Child Life Services

For the past 17 years, Park Place Dealerships and Children’s Health have united together to serve and provide a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. We strongly support the Children’s Health mission, vision, and multiple programs that are dedicated to serving children and families across the region. Park Place has contributed more than $418,000 to Children’s Health over the past 17 years, and Park Place Volvo Cars has contributed as presenting sponsor of The Children’s Trust membership drive and hosted the annual reception. In 2017, Park Place Volvo Cars will once again be the presenting sponsor for The Children’s Trust membership drive.

 

Park Place’s support continues as we proudly highlight the life-changing Child Life services and patient resources offered by Children’s Health to help patients and their families cope with hospitalization and improve physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. Representatives from Children’s Health Child Life services, a member of the Children’s Trust board and her son, and two pet therapy dogs had the opportunity to view the new Volvo XC60 (and experience the roomy interior perfect for dogs on-the-go), as we discussed their life-changing Therapeutic Arts program.

The Therapeutic Arts program provides patients and families the unique opportunity to engage in expressive interventions to improve the quality of life experienced during a normally difficult time in a child’s life. With the ability to serve from either bedside or in a group setting, the families and children are provided a healing environment to approach treatment holistically by acknowledging their emotional needs.

 

 

Children’s Health first offered music therapy in the 1990s, and now has the largest music therapy program in the region. Music therapists speak a universal language, helping them reach and communicate with patients in ways other therapists cannot, such as calming fear and anxiety, allowing patients to express their feelings, and easing their distress. Children’s Health’s board-certified music therapists use musical experiences to support a therapeutic relationship with patients and family members throughout the child’s hospitalization.

The Paws for Hope Pet-Assisted Therapy Program delivered by PetSmart Charities delivers the comfort of home and loving support of a fur-ever friend in what can be a stressful setting. Animals have the power to transform the unfamiliar and scary experience of being hospitalized to a positive coping environment.

Park Place is honored to continue partnering with the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas and to support the betterment of the lives of children across the community. The new 2018 Volvo XC60 is now available at Park Place Volvo Cars Dallas. 

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Preview the Most Refined & Capable Midsize SUV: The 2018 Range Rover Velar

Park Place is your place for Land Rover Range Rover vehicles that meet your daily needs and demands from a rugged SUV. With several customizable options, packages, and features, the Range Rover Velar was designed with you in mind. Park Place is proud to offer the new 2018 Range Rover Velar, the mid-size luxury SUV from Land Rover, the industry authority for setting the standards in what drivers expect from a sports utility vehicle. The Velar will captivate your imagination and stimulate your senses with its’ standard AWD and 8-speed transmission, spacious cargo and cabin room, merged seamlessly with the latest in automotive technological advancements.

Land Rover provides plenty of engine options to choose from when you purchase the new Range Rover Velar. Start small with a 180 horsepower 2.0 Liter diesel Ingenium four, or take the next step in available power with 247 horsepower turbocharged inline four, or leverage the maximum amount of engine torque and proficiency with the 380 hp 3.0 liter V6.

Range Rover Velar packages and model editions include the S, SE and R-Dynamic HSE, the customizable Land Rover that puts performance first with its bounty of driving and performance upgrades, representing the ultimate Range Rover Velar experience. Available exterior colors are extensive, including the sleek Flux Silver, Corris Grey, and Silicon Silver. Let the Sales Experience Managers at Park Place Land Rover DFW assist you in finding the perfect exterior and interior colors to match your personality, and help you drive off with a vehicle that truly represents your unique high-performance lifestyle. 

Visit the new Land Rover Range Rover dealership in Dallas Fort Worth at 1300 East State Highway 114, DFW Airport TX 75261. We are excited to serve drivers from Grapevine, Arlington, and Plano with new used and certified pre-owned Land Rover sales. Contact us today to discover Range Rover Lease Specials, Land Rover offers and incentives, and first class service technicians that truly care about the long-term performance and durability of your vehicle.

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Engines 101: A Myriad of Power Options Found In Luxury Vehicles

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.

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Park Place Dealerships Celebrates Opening of Jaguar Land Rover DFW

After 30 years of serving North Texas, the only thing more exciting than Park Place Dealerships opening another dealership in DFW is when they open two simultaneously. Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW quietly opened in July but waited until September 21 to launch the two brands with a grand opening fete with more than 500 guests.
 
Located at the crossroads of Dallas-Fort Worth, on the south side of State Highway 114 between Main Street and Texan Trail Parkway, the dealership sits on eight acres near DFW Airport. The two iconic brands share a roofline but have separate showrooms for their respective vehicles.

Park Place Jaguar/Land Rover DFW General Manager Matt Woolsey; Sean Donohue, DFW Airport CEO; Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships chairman/founder; Chris Marchand, Executive Vice President, Jaguar Land Rover; and Jordan Case, Park Place President

 
“Park Place Jaguar already had a successful history in Plano,” explained Jordan Case, Park Place president. “It earned the “Pride of Jaguar” award five years in a row. Only 16 of the 162 Jaguar dealers across the U.S. receive this recognition for customer advocacy, sales and business excellence.  Out of the 16, only one Jaguar retailer is awarded the “Marque of Distinction” title. Jaguar Plano earned the esteemed award as the number one Jaguar dealership in the country three years in a row. The new dealership already blew away the previous pre-owned sales record in August, and led all DFW Jaguar Land Rover stores in new car sales for both Jaguar and Land Rover sales. The Service Department set an all-time record for the franchise and Parts had their third best month ever. We’re excited to bring Jaguar and Land Rover to the Grapevine-Colleyville area.”

 

(L – R) Park Place President Jordan Case, Jaguar Land Rover Executive Vice President Chris Marchand, Park Place Jaguar/Land Rover DFW General Manager Matt Woolsey, Park Place Dealerships Chairman/Founder Ken Schnitzer toast the grand opening of the new dealership

 
Park Place partnered with Southlake Town Square to showcase the best of the area: Kim Dawson models featured fashions by Malouf’s, Vineyard Vines and Elaine Turner next to the Jaguar F-Type sports car and the all-new Land Rover Velar SUV in their respective showrooms. Allen Edmunds and Kendra Scott were also presented in the Fall Retail Showcase.  Guests enjoyed sushi and fried dumplings from Sushi Zushi; jumbo shrimp from Truluck’s; Korean BBQ tacos by Del Frisco’s Grille; chicken artichoke crostinis by Brio; and sweet delights from Sugaire. Guests also enjoyed specialty cocktails like Solerno Cosmos and Hendricks Cucumber Coolers.  As night fell, guests were invited to the New Car Delivery Area for The Balvenie Scotch and Cigar Bar. DJ Paul Paredes kept the crowd energized with a lively, modern playlist. Guests also enjoyed a fun photo booth by Mir Mir Photos.

  
 
Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW is a two-story, LEED-certified facility.  The shop includes 34 service bays and an 18-car service drive. The showroom can accommodate up to 12 new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. Inside the Client Lounge, there’s comfortable seating, complimentary beverages and snacks, and even a children’s playroom.   

  
 
The origins of Jaguar can be traced back to a company that began by making motorcycle sidecars in 1922.  The Swallow Sidecar Company later started building automobiles and moved to Coventry, switching its name to Jaguar after the Second World War. It produced premium saloons and sports cars, including the legendary XK120.
 
After Tata Motors, India’s largest automobile manufacturer, acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford in 2008, it merged the two marques into a single company.
U.S. sales for Jaguar Land Rover surpassed 105,000 in 2016, which was an annual sales record for the two brands. Land Rover reached a new annual high mark of 73,861 units, an increase of five percent from 2015.
 
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. Park Place will open a new Grapevine Porsche dealership in 2018. For more info, visit parkplace.com

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The 2017 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase In Retrospect

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.

 

 

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Father and Son Share Their Luxury & Showcase Story

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.

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The New 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom Makes an Appearance at the Luxury & Supercar Showcase

With over a century of automotive heritage, Rolls-Royce and the brand’s owners BMW, have provided the world with some of the most opulent and iconic symbols of luxury on the market.  In 1925, the Phantom was dubbed the “the Best Car in the World” and since its grand introduction, every single new Phantom that has debuted has unquestionably retained that very same title.  The 2018 model sets a new precedence for supreme perfection and visionary engineering, undoubtedly pointing Rolls-Royce Motors forward into a new age for the global luxury industry.

The New Phantom benefits from a wholly new business model employed by the BMW Group, which includes the Architecture of Luxury- a brand new all-aluminum space frame architecture designed by Rolls-Royce engineers.  The VIII is the first edition- but not the last- to sport this new architecture, reducing its weight and creating a lighter and stiffer framework, which will contribute to creating a more comfortable riding experience. In fact, the new Phantom is 30% more rigid than its predecessor, foreshadowing how this new architecture is at the core of how the next generation of Rolls-Royce will deliver enhanced experiences without compromise.

In addition to its new architecture, the new Phantom also benefits from a re-imagined V12 engine…a completely silent v12 engine. The new engine includes two turbo charges that contribute to a low-end torque output of 900Nm at a low 1,700 rpm, while still delivering 563bhp of power.  This provides a low, calm speed progress associated with state occasions and an un-affected surge of power when deemed necessary. Thanks to the addition of Satellite Aided Transmission and a ZF *-Speed gearbox, the driver is fully prepared for anything the road may have in store.

 
The design remains elegant and preserves the iconic 2:1 proportions featured in every generation of Phantom, accentuating a short, upright front, and long, flowing rear overhang.  The side frame finisher of the New Phantom is the largest single piece of hand-polished stainless steel on any motor car. Another single polished stainless steel strip embellishes the sill of the Phantom Extended wheelbase for clear differentiation.

The Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase Attendees received a rare and exclusive look this next generation Rolls-Royce, as the inaugural show received the vehicle straight from Pebble Beach. Keep your eye out for more information on the 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom, the world’s newest leading luxury item, and the next chapter in  Rolls-Royce’s automotive story.