The DFW Car & Toy Museum has expanded its Ron Sturgeon Collection with the addition of a 1988 Suzuki Samurai, a vehicle celebrated for its compact design and off-road capability. This particular example, with registration history in South Carolina and North Carolina dating to at least 1993, embodies the model's cult following and practical, no-frills approach to adventure.
Powered by a 1.3-liter inline-four engine generating 63 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque, the Samurai is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case, providing legitimate off-road performance. The vehicle has been significantly enhanced with a 4-inch suspension lift and 15-inch steel wheels. Functional upgrades include a tubular front bumper, cowl-mounted high-lift jack, auxiliary driving lights, step bars, a rear tow ball, and a Hurst shifter for improved control on challenging terrain.
Its versatile design features removable doors and multiple roof configurations—a removable hardtop, soft top, and Bimini top—making it adaptable for year-round use. Inside, replacement bucket seats offer enhanced comfort, while the five-digit odometer shows 92,000 miles, indicative of a well-used life true to its purpose. Ron Sturgeon, founder of the museum, described the Samurai as "the underdog that proved you don't need size to go big," noting its lift, gear, and attitude make it a time capsule from an era of affordable off-roading.
The Samurai joins over 200 vehicles and 3,000 collectibles at the museum, which continuously adds new and rare finds to offer a dynamic visitor experience. The museum, now located in North Fort Worth, operates from a 150,000-square-foot facility. For more information on visiting hours and exhibits, the public can visit the official website at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
For business and technology leaders, this acquisition highlights several key themes. It underscores the lasting cultural and economic impact of accessible technology in automotive design, where simple, robust engineering created a product with enduring appeal. The Samurai's story reflects a market segment where affordability and capability drove significant consumer adoption, a principle relevant to product development in various tech sectors today. Its preservation in a major collection also points to the growing importance of curating technological heritage, which can inform future innovation by studying past successes in utilitarian design.
