A rare 1967 Volkswagen Beetle Jolly-style from the Ron Sturgeon Collection at the DFW Car & Toy Museum offers a playful interpretation of the classic German icon. Originally a Brazilian-market Beetle, this uniquely modified vehicle captures the spirit of carefree cruising with design cues inspired by the famous Ghia-built Fiat and Jolly-style conversions of the 1950s and 1960s.
The custom Beetle was outfitted by a previous owner with wicker seats and wood plank flooring, giving it a breezy, resort-like personality. Such Jolly-style cars were designed for leisurely drives in tropical beach towns and along golf course paths, adding a dash of luxury to open-air motoring. This Beetle brings that vibe to life in a uniquely Volkswagen package.
Inside, the car features personalized upgrades including 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.
Under the rear hood, the car 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 the car 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 (about 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 DFW Car & Toy Museum, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, was founded by Ron Sturgeon in the 1980s. Until recently, it was in Haltom City, Texas. The museum is now located in North Fort Worth at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137, at Meacham and I-35W. The new facility spans 150,000 square feet with free parking and admission. It offers secure climate-controlled car storage and facilities for events, including car clubs and board meetings. The museum is dog friendly and encourages pictures. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
This acquisition matters because it showcases a rare, Brazilian-market Volkswagen that has been transformed into a Jolly-style cruiser, a type of vehicle rarely seen outside of coastal resort areas. For enthusiasts, it represents a blend of Volkswagen reliability and tropical flair, offering a glimpse into a niche automotive subculture. The museum's growing collection, with over 200 vehicles and 3,000 toys, underscores its commitment to preserving automotive history and design innovation, providing a valuable cultural resource for the Fort Worth community and beyond.
