Background photo: Brand new building for the Clark Knapp Honda dealership
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
August 1, 2014– Just recently I attended the grand opening of the Clark Knapp Honda car dealership in Pharr, Texas (June 18-2014). There, I had the opportunity to talk briefly with Kirk Clark, one of the owners as well as one of the principals of a Chevrolet dealership in McAllen, Texas.
The Chevrolet dealership in McAllen celebrated its 80th anniversary on Thursday, October 10, 2013. Back in 1933, this dealership was acquired through a swap according to Kirk.
“My grandfather, J. V. Carpenter, was working for the Oldsmobile Motor Company in Kansas, Missouri, and his first cousin Sam Miller, after which Miller International Airport was named, he (Sam) called my grandfather and said, ‘You‘d better get down here, this is a happening place’ (1932).”
The same year Mr. Carpenter took over the Cadillac LaSalle dealership in McAllen that was available. Kirk told Texas Border Business, “At the time Dwight Yoder was a Chevrolet dealer. They ended up in the city barbershop next to the Moody’s White Kitchen having their hair cut, and they were talking about the car business.”
Kirk explained that his granddad, Mr. James V. Carpenter said, “I’m so tired of dealing with LaSalle. I don’t know what to do because I’ve got to accept them, to get Cadillacs, but they have a few problems,” and Dwight Yoder said “I’ve always wanted to be a Cadillac dealer.” Kirk said, “A light comes on in my grandfather’s head and he said, ‘I wouldn’t mind being a Chevrolet dealer’. They looked at each other and said why don’t we swap. They got up out of the barbers’ chairs, and shook hands. That afternoon they moved their inventories and parts, called General Motors and my granddad said ‘I’m the new Chevy dealer in McAllen and Dwight’s your new Cadillac LaSalle dealer’.”
This took place in 1933 and the company continues to be one of the leaders in the Rio Grande Valley. Many things have transpired since then, however in 1992, a new partnership was sealed between the Clark and Knapp families and the Cadillac-Pontiac-Honda dealership was born.
Later the families decided to sell the Cadillac and Pontiac, and they kept Honda; that is why the name Clark Knapp Honda is in its new home in Pharr, Texas.
Kirk said, “The deal with Clark Knapp Honda is a great partnership.” He continued, “I had the good fortune of working with my own father for 21 years, and Francis Knapp and his brother, the late Avery Knapp, have been the most gracious people to work with. They are like family and I’m glad he’s the operating manager for Honda, and for the Clark Knapp team that they get to see this come to fruition. It was through their support, their advice, and counsel that this has actually been made possible; it’s a delight to be here.”
During the Ribbon Cutting ceremony of Clark Knapp Honda’s new location, Kirk had the opportunity to thank everyone present. “This is one of the most fabulous occasions that I can imagine,” his remarks were heartfelt and well received by the attendees. “I want to thank my wife Gerry for her patience and tolerance because I haven’t always been all that self-contained as this project has progressed.”
He said that sometimes it has been difficult with certain challenges; and he particularly thanks Roger Solis, his partner in the Chevrolet store and general manager of the Honda store. “I know how hard he worked to make this happen. I want to thank Michelle Sparks our marketing director for all that she’s done to make this happen today. This is a tremendous opportunity not only for us but as part of this community, and at the same time in our Chevrolet store as being a part of McAllen; we are very much sister communities.”
Kirk says that he would do anything that can be done to make this a better, more productive place offering job opportunities, and seeing this area continue to improve with an alliance of government, private enterprise, and improved education.
Kirk praised Dr. Daniel P. King and Dr. James Ponce, two of Texas Border Business’ favorites; “I want to commend Dr. King for the fabulous work that he does as a superintendent of the Pharr San Juan Alamo schools, as well as Dr. James Ponce superintendent of schools in McAllen; they are good friends. They work together and both are visionaries. We are lucky to have both of them in our community.” TBB
