1 of 13 Left: 1941 Dodge Hilo Sampan
Your first question probably is “What’s a Hilo Sampan” because it looks like a Tiki Hut on wheels. By definition, a sampan is a wooden boat with a flat bottom and often a thatched roof. By the 1930s, that concept expanded to over-the-road transportation, and it became popular in places like Hawaii. This 1941 Dodge variant was used in Hilo, Hawaii, hence the name. We’re told that maybe only 13 of these are left, but we don’t know if that means sampans in general, ones based on a Dodge, or ones used in Hawaii.
A pre-war Dodge served as the foundation of this 1941 Sampan. We don’t know how many like it may have been built. The thatched roof covering appears to be over treated wood (like a Woodie?). We assume this was built off of a cut-down truck or station wagon and is powered by an inline-6 engine from that era. It looks to be in excellent condition and has been well-maintained by its current owner, a mechanic.
The brakes were recently done, so we’re told this interesting people mover can be ready to go at a moment’s notice. From the lettering on the sides, we assume this Dodge was once in service to the Moana Hotel Waikiki, which is a real place. It should seat up to eight people and would be a wonderful way to see the attractions at any popular resort community.
More details on the Sampan can be found here and there. This one made it to the U.S. at some point and now calls San Clemente, California home. We assume it’s been restored and the odometer may only read 25,000 miles. If you did purchase this carrier here on craigslist for $35,000, what would you go with it? It could be a great shuttle vehicle in any beach community, attracting attention wherever it goes. Thanks for the neat tip, “numskal”.
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Comments
I immediately thought this to be the grandfather of the Volare/Aspen wagon sans doors and a bimini roof that were in the TV show Fantasy Island. Anyone remember them?
Cool article, Russ..
Same here !
They also made some from DeSotos. There was one in Capt. Cook on the Kona side of the Big Island.
This is the dream car for any middle-aged guy who has ever thought about escaping the 9 to 5 routine and living the life of a SoCal beach bum.
“ This one made it to the U.S. at some point and now calls San Clemente, California home.”
Nit-picking, but Hawaii IS the U. S.
This is only the 2nd I’ve seen for sale-the other one looked like a twin.
And WW2 started in 1939….so this 1941 dosge isn’t a pre-war car ;)
Cool car!
Wow not pickers today obviously Russ meant it made it to the mainland US and USA did not ENTER WW2 until after Pearl Harbor and hence this IS considered pre war cool car and great write up
Anything before 1946 is considered pre war.
Just saw this awesome vehicle at the San Clemente cars and coffee yesterday. It is amazing!!! Brought back some great memories!!!
Given the roof construction, there must be a ” No Smoking” tag somewhere inside (LOL)
Is that original thatch? ;)
Hilo, Hawaii Sampans were precursors to regular bus service there, & primarily served the sugar plantation workers, not glamorous resort tourists. They were finally replaced in the mid-seventies when the county purchased buses & started a traditional bus service.
In the nineties, there was an attempt to refurbish some of the vintage sampans & use a small fleet of them as special local transportation service. As cool as it sounds, it was a bit of disaster due to the vintage mechanicals & the resulting problems. They were finally all auctioned off in Hilo in the later nineties for little money, & I suspect this is one of them.
put r. seats back-to-back, facing out, like u.s. army basic, ft. polk, la., 1966…be blessed, grateful, prepared…55 d. 3/4, 1st car, v-8
I grew up in San Clemente. This would be cool to ride around town in.
Jay Leno-type car guy: “I’ve got every kind of car in my collection there is.”
Dude: “You do not.”
JL-tCG: “What am I missing?”
D: “One with a thatched roof. Here’s the auction link for it.”
JL-tCG: “Hold my beer!”
Being as it is in costal SoCal, I sure hope some rich dude buys it and donates it to the San Diego Auto Museum in Balboa Park.
A bit off the subject, but the San Diego Auto Museum has the 1946ish Cadillac that was featured on “You Asked For It” TV show back in the 1950s. It was owned by a muffler shop owner in San Diego who outfitted it with every convenience imaginable and could change a tire without stopping and had a trailer that would carry a fuel supply large enough that he could take long trips without stopping. Probably the only one old enough to remember the show is Howard, but I remember an article being written in either Cars & Parts or Old Cars in the 1970s. If you are in San Diego, that exhibit alone makes the museum a worthwhile stop.
Not the only one old enough…
I remember that show, and that episode. What I had for breakfast- not so much. 😔
I have a very nice 1941 Plymouth business coupe. If I had more inside storage this would make a great car to sit next to it.
Signed by Dick Dale, grandfather of Surf guitar….
I doubt that fact would increase the value at all, but still a cool fact.
Anything before 1946 is considered pre war.
I think this was featured in one of Dennis Gage’s programs,
when he attend a car show in Hawaii.
How cool is this!!