The DFW Car & Toy Museum has added a new icon to its collection: the 1981 Toyota Pickup SR5 4x4. This truck, which helped establish Toyota's reputation for reliability in the United States, is now on permanent display at the museum located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in Fort Worth, Texas. The museum, founded by Ron Sturgeon, showcases over 200 rare vehicles and 3,000 toys and collectibles.
Powered by the bulletproof 2.4-liter 22R inline-four engine, this SR5 is paired with a five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case, offering true four-wheel-drive capability. It features Toyota's desirable Black Package, including 15-inch six-spoke steel wheels, manually locking front hubs, a sliding rear window, and power-assisted front disc brakes. The truck's interior remains authentically outfitted with an AM/FM radio, hand-crank windows, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, and a heater. The dash includes an 85-mph speedometer, tachometer, and gauges for fuel and coolant temperature, with voltage and oil pressure readouts mounted below.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the museum, noted that early Toyota pickups earned a cult following for being simple, tough, and unstoppable. This particular SR5 has received thoughtful updates, including a refinished frame, a new clutch slave cylinder, and an upgraded exhaust system, ensuring its legendary longevity continues. The truck is part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection and joins other rare vehicles at the museum, which also offers secure climate-controlled car storage and event facilities.
The DFW Car & Toy Museum, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, has been collecting automobile toys and cars since the 1980s. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with free parking and admission. Visitors are encouraged to take pictures, and the museum is dog-friendly. New additions are introduced throughout the year, and the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com provides more information. The museum's original website, DFW Elite Toy Museum, remains a go-to source for toy and car lovers worldwide.
