The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has unveiled a rare 1967 Volkswagen Beetle Jolly-style as part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection. The vehicle, originally a Brazilian-market Beetle, was customized by a previous owner to evoke the carefree spirit of Jolly-style conversions popular in the 1950s and 1960s. These conversions, often associated with Ghia-built Fiat models, were designed for leisurely drives in resort settings, and this Beetle brings that same relaxed vibe to the classic German icon.
The custom Beetle features wicker seats and wood plank flooring, creating a breezy, resort-like interior. Additional personalized touches include 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 functionality and polish. Under the rear hood, the car retains a 1.3-liter air-cooled flat-four engine with a single downdraft carburetor and a classic oil bath air cleaner. Painted engine tins match the body color, and the intake manifold has heat riser tubes removed for a simplified appearance. Power is delivered through a four-speed manual transmission with new outer gaskets. The five-digit odometer on the 140-km/h speedometer reads 97,000 kilometers (about 60,000 miles), and the car presents with 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 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. It recently relocated to a 150,000-square-foot facility at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth. The museum offers free parking and admission, secure climate-controlled car storage, and facilities for events. It is dog friendly and encourages pictures. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
The addition of this Jolly-style Beetle underscores the growing interest in unique, historically significant vehicles that blend automotive heritage with personalized expression. For enthusiasts and collectors, it represents a tangible link to a bygone era of leisure motoring, while for the museum, it enhances its appeal as a destination for those seeking to explore the lighter side of car culture. As the automotive world increasingly focuses on electrification and autonomy, such whimsical classics serve as a reminder of the joy and individuality that have long defined car ownership.
