The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has added a striking 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Coupe to its Ron Sturgeon Collection, showcasing how a vintage icon can be refreshed for contemporary driving without sacrificing its original character. The red coupe, featured in the June 2009 issue of Dune Buggies and Hot VWs, represents a thoughtful blend of restoration and modification that honors the model's European elegance while enhancing usability.
Acquired by the previous owner in 2006, the car underwent a comprehensive body-off refurbishment. This included right-front fender repair, a bare-metal repaint in a late-model Beetle shade of red, and numerous mechanical upgrades. The Karmann Ghia retains signature design cues such as pop-out rear quarter windows, a vented rear decklid, a Karmann body tag, and chrome bumpers with overriders. Under the hood, a reliable air-cooled flat-four engine features a Solex carburetor, oil-bath air cleaner, Bosch ignition coil, and alternator. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle rebuilt by Rancho Performance Transaxles in Fullerton, California. Stopping power is modernized with front disc brakes and rear drums, while new shocks and ball joints improve road manners. Inside, the cabin mixes vintage and modern elements: a two-spoke steering wheel, VDO instrumentation (90-mph speedometer, analog clock, and fuel gauge), square-weave carpeting, aftermarket speakers, a JVC CD stereo, and a black dash pad. The five-digit odometer shows just 7,000 miles since the refurbishment, indicating a lightly driven, well-preserved condition.
"The Karmann Ghia has always been one of those cars that merges art and engineering," said Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "This '67 coupe is the kind of build that honors the past while embracing a bit of modern usability—exactly the kind of balance we love to showcase." The car is now part of a 200+ vehicle lineup at the museum, which also houses over 3,000 vintage toys and artifacts that tell stories of design, culture, and innovation. For enthusiasts, this acquisition underscores the growing trend of restomodding, where classic cars are updated for modern reliability and comfort. It also highlights the museum's role as a cultural hub for automotive history. The museum, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, was founded by Sturgeon in the 1980s. Until recently, it was in Haltom City, TX, and its website DFW Elite Toy Museum remains a go-to source for toy and car lovers worldwide. The museum is now located in North Fort Worth at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137 (at Meacham and I35W). The new 150,000-square-foot facility offers free parking and admission, secure climate-controlled car storage, and facilities for events including car clubs and board meetings. It is dog friendly and encourages pictures. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. More information is available at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The 1967 Karmann Ghia Coupe serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of thoughtful automotive restoration and the museum's commitment to preserving automotive heritage.
