The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has unveiled a distinctive addition to the Ron Sturgeon Collection: a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle Jolly-style. Originally a Brazilian-market Beetle, this custom vehicle captures the carefree spirit of the famous Ghia-built Fiat Jolly conversions from the 1950s and 1960s. With its wicker seats and wood plank flooring, the car embodies a resort-like personality that invites leisurely drives along coastal roads or golf course paths.
Jolly-style cars were designed for relaxed, luxurious open-air motoring, and this Beetle brings that vibe into a uniquely Volkswagen package. The interior features personalized upgrades such as walnut dashboard trim, rubber floor mats, seat belts, a dashboard-mounted figurine, and a three-spoke steering wheel. A replacement fuel-level gauge and ABS wiring loom wrap add both functionality and polish, ensuring the car is as practical as it is playful.
Under the rear hood, the Beetle retains a 1.3-liter air-cooled flat-four engine, fed by a single downdraft carburetor and topped with a classic oil bath air cleaner. Painted engine tins match the body color for an added custom touch. The engine breathes through an intake manifold with heat riser tubes removed, giving it a simplified appearance in line with its leisure-focused style. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, refreshed with new outer gaskets. The five-digit odometer on the 140-km/h speedometer reads 97,000 kilometers (approximately 60,000 miles), and the car presents with all the character of a summer classic reimagined for warm-weather wanderings.
"There's a joy to this Beetle that's hard to describe—it doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's what makes it great," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "It's a one-of-a-kind piece that makes you want to throw on your sunglasses and hit the coast."
This 1967 VW Jolly-style Beetle is just one of more than 200 unique vehicles in the Ron Sturgeon Collection, displayed alongside 3,000 vintage toys and cultural artifacts celebrating design, innovation, and automotive history. The museum, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, was founded by Ron Sturgeon in the 1980s and recently relocated to a 150,000-square-foot facility at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth. The new location offers free parking and admission, secure climate-controlled car storage, and facilities for events such as car club gatherings and board meetings. It is also dog friendly and encourages photography. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
For enthusiasts and collectors, this acquisition underscores the growing appreciation for niche automotive history. The Jolly-style Beetle represents a fusion of Brazilian market ingenuity and European design heritage, offering a tangible link to an era when cars were built for fun rather than mere transportation. As the museum continues to expand its collection, it provides a valuable resource for those interested in automotive culture and design. More information about the museum and its collection can be found at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
