DFW Car and Toy Museum Wins Fort Worth Magazine's 2025 'Best Family Outing' Award

The DFW Car and Toy Museum, Texas' largest car museum, has been selected as Fort Worth Magazine's 2025 "Best of Fort Worth" Reader Pick Winner in the Family Outing subcategory of the Nightlife and Entertainment category. This recognition comes just seven months after the museum's opening in April 2025, highlighting its rapid impact on the Fort Worth community and tourism landscape.

Ron Sturgeon, founder and owner of the DFW Car and Toy Museum, expressed enthusiasm about the award. "We're elated by the outpouring of votes," Sturgeon said. "It's genuinely an honor to be chosen by the good people of Fort Worth for a prestigious award such as this." The museum's recognition matters because it validates the growing importance of experiential family entertainment that combines education with nostalgia, particularly in a market where free admission museums are increasingly rare.

The museum represents the culmination of Sturgeon's 40-year collecting journey that began with toy Mercedes cars and expanded to include rare automobiles, vintage toys, automotive memorabilia, and unique signs. The collection has grown so substantial that Sturgeon decided to create a permanent space to share his treasures with the public. "At this point, it's more than just a classic car collection," Sturgeon explained. "It's an experience. We're proud to offer a space where visitors can immerse themselves in automotive culture."

Occupying more than 150,000 square feet of display space, the museum features an extraordinary collection that includes more than 3,000 vintage collectible toys and a multi-million-dollar assortment of more than 200 classic and unique cars. The automotive section showcases rare exotic cars, European masterpieces, celebrity-owned vehicles, unique oddities, and historic race cars, each with its own fascinating story representing decades of automotive innovation. The museum also features modern supercars including a 647 hp 2017 Ford GT and a 986 hp 2022 Ferrari SF90, alongside a row of rare classic cars valued at $1 million each.

The toy collection includes particularly notable pieces that appeal to multiple generations. Among the highlights are rare 1950s and 1960s robots including Gumbo, Electroman, and Big Loo. Gumbo the Robot Dispenser stands nearly five feet tall and functions as a vintage Italian coin-operated gumball vending machine from the late 1950s. Electroman, considered "the holy grail" of robot collectors, features stunning lithograph detailing and mechanical movements powered by D-cell batteries. Big Loo, manufactured by Louis Marx and Company for the 1963 holiday season, had limited production of only about 5,000 units and stands over 38 inches tall with multiple interactive features including rocket launching, ball throwing, and water squirting capabilities.

The museum's impact extends beyond casual visitation, as it also serves as a popular private event space for weddings, receptions, car club meetings, and photo shoots. The facility offers secure, climate-controlled car storage and rental space, positioning it as a multi-purpose venue that contributes to Fort Worth's event industry. Additional information about the museum's offerings can be found at https://dfwelitetoymuseum.com, where visitors can learn more about the collection and event booking opportunities.

What makes this award particularly significant is the museum's commitment to accessibility. The DFW Car and Toy Museum offers free admission to all visitors and provides ample free parking, making it an affordable family destination in an era of rising entertainment costs. The museum is also dog-friendly, further enhancing its appeal as a welcoming community space. This combination of free access, extensive collections, and family-friendly policies demonstrates how cultural institutions can successfully serve broad audiences while maintaining high-quality exhibits.

The recognition from Fort Worth Magazine's annual Best of Fort Worth competition carries substantial weight in the local community. With a circulation of nearly 20,000, the magazine has been the authority on Fort Worth culture for 22 years, and its reader-driven awards reflect genuine community preferences rather than editorial selection. This award signals that the DFW Car and Toy Museum has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of Fort Worth's cultural and entertainment landscape, offering a unique blend of automotive history and childhood nostalgia that resonates across generations.