Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
February 03, 2026
Rare 1996 Toyota TownAce Fuel Truck Debuts at Texas Car Museum
TLDR
- The 1996 Toyota TownAce 4x4 fuel truck offers collectors a unique advantage with its rare Japanese import status and fully functional 450-liter aluminum fuel tank.
- This Toyota TownAce features a 1.8-liter engine with 77 horsepower, a five-speed manual transmission, dual-range transfer case, and push-button 4WD system for rugged utility.
- The DFW Car & Toy Museum's new exhibit celebrates global automotive diversity and Toyota's legacy of building reliable vehicles that serve communities worldwide.
- A right-hand-drive Japanese fuel truck with a working 450-liter tank now turns heads at a Texas museum, blending practical function with international automotive flair.
Impact - Why it Matters
This acquisition highlights the growing appreciation for Japanese domestic market (JDM) vehicles in American car culture and demonstrates how utilitarian work vehicles can become museum-worthy artifacts. For automotive enthusiasts, it represents an opportunity to see a rarely imported vehicle that showcases Toyota's engineering philosophy of building durable, functional trucks for global markets. The museum's display of such specialized vehicles helps preserve automotive history that might otherwise be overlooked, while also introducing visitors to diverse vehicle designs from around the world. For collectors and restorers, it serves as inspiration for seeking out unique vehicles that tell stories about transportation needs in different cultures and environments.
Summary
The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has unveiled a remarkable new addition to its Ron Sturgeon Collection: a 1996 Toyota TownAce 4×4 Fuel Truck, freshly imported from Japan. This unique utility vehicle, originally built for the Japanese domestic market, features a compact design, right-hand-drive layout, and a fully functional 450-liter aluminum fuel tank manufactured by M.K Lorry. Powered by a 1.8-liter 2Y inline-four engine producing 77 horsepower and paired with a five-speed manual transmission and push-button 4WD system, this rugged hauler blends practical function with global automotive flair. Museum founder Ron Sturgeon describes it as a "workhorse with personality" that exemplifies Toyota's legacy of building reliable trucks for any terrain.
Inside the cab, the TownAce offers a no-frills, functional interior with a split bench seat trimmed in gray vinyl and patterned cloth inserts, a two-spoke steering wheel, and essential gauges including a 160-km/h speedometer. The vehicle's utilitarian design makes it an ideal representative of Toyota's global light-duty truck heritage, appealing to JDM enthusiasts, overlanding fans, and anyone intrigued by unique automotive finds. The museum, which recently relocated to a 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth, now displays this TownAce alongside over 200 classic vehicles and 3,000 vintage toys and collectibles, with new additions arriving throughout the year.
For those interested in learning more about this fascinating vehicle or planning a visit, the DFW Car & Toy Museum provides comprehensive information through its website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com. The museum also maintains its legacy presence through the DFW Elite Toy Museum website, which remains a valuable resource for toy and car enthusiasts worldwide. With free admission and parking, dog-friendly policies, and climate-controlled facilities, the museum offers an engaging experience for automotive aficionados of all ages, making this Toyota TownAce tank truck a must-see attraction that combines historical significance with mechanical curiosity.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Rare 1996 Toyota TownAce Fuel Truck Debuts at Texas Car Museum
