The 1965 Volkswagen Beetle, finished in classic white and meticulously preserved, has found a new home at the DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, this Beetle represents a time when automotive design prioritized simplicity, reliability, and charm over extravagance. Its presence at the museum underscores the lasting impact of the Beetle, which became one of the best-selling and most beloved cars in history.
Under the hood, the Beetle is powered by a 1.2-liter air-cooled flat-four engine, delivering a modest 40 horsepower through a four-speed manual transaxle. A Solex downdraft carburetor feeds the engine, and drum brakes provide stopping power at all four corners. To ensure it runs as dependably as it did decades ago, routine service was performed in March 2024, including an oil change, carburetor rebuild, and replacement of the battery, fuel pump, and fuel lines.
The interior remains true to its minimalist roots, featuring a 90-mph speedometer, a fuel-level gauge, and a five-digit odometer that reads just 47,000 miles. According to Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, "The beauty of the Beetle is in its purity. It's not flashy, but it never goes out of style. This one in particular—well-kept, clean, and true to its era—represents the very heart of accessible automotive history."
Visitors to the museum can view the Beetle alongside more than 200 rare and collectible vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate why this humble car became an enduring icon. The DFW Car & Toy Museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission and parking are free, and the museum is dog-friendly. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
