FORT WORTH, TX — The 1970s van life dream is alive and well at the DFW Car & Toy Museum, where a fully outfitted 1977 Volkswagen Type 2 Westfalia Camper Van is now on display. Finished in retro green with white bumpers, the pop-top bus combines period-correct charm with modern upgrades, making it a standout for collectors and adventure seekers alike.
Under the hood, the Westfalia is powered by a 1,970cc air-cooled flat-four engine with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, paired with a four-speed manual transaxle. Recent mechanical updates include a cleaned fuel tank, replaced injector seals, refreshed gaskets, and a full brake system overhaul in 2024. The van's exterior was refinished in green, and the Westfalia pop-up roof was repainted and reupholstered in 2023. Features include jalousie windows, a shore-power connection, child's cot mounts, and 14-inch powder-coated steel wheels with VW-stamped hubcaps.
Inside, the camper offers a sleeping loft, folding bench seat/bed, sink, two-burner stovetop, insulated cooler, swing-out table, privacy curtains, and power outlets. Plaid-trimmed bucket seats and green interior accents complete the retro look, while a Pioneer CD stereo with Bluetooth modernizes the soundtrack. The mechanical odometer shows 13,000 miles, though actual mileage is unknown.
"This Westfalia is the definition of freedom on four wheels," said Ron Sturgeon, collector and founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "It has everything you need to chase sunsets and live the classic van life dream—all wrapped in an iconic design."
The vehicle's presence at the museum underscores the growing interest in vintage camper vans as both cultural artifacts and usable classics. For the public, it offers a tangible connection to the minimalist road-tripping ethos of the 1970s, now enhanced with reliability upgrades that make it road-ready. For the collector car market, well-preserved Westfalias like this one represent a blend of nostalgia and practicality that continues to attract enthusiasts.
The DFW Car & Toy Museum, formerly known as the DFW Elite Toy Museum, was founded by Ron Sturgeon in the 1980s. Now located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth, the 150,000-square-foot facility offers free parking and admission. It also provides secure climate-controlled car storage and event facilities for car clubs and board meetings. The museum is dog friendly and encourages pictures. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. More information is available at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
