1941 Dodge Kingsway Hilo Sampan

This 1941 Dodge Kingsway D20 was modified as a Hilo Sampan jitney under prior ownership and used in Hawaii before being relocated to California and purchased by the current owner in 2005. The vehicle is finished in red with decorative graphics, and it has open sides and a fixed roof with a thatched cover. Power is from a 218ci inline-six paired with a three-speed manual transmission, and features include chrome bumpers and side rails, a boarding step, red-painted steel wheels, hubcaps, blue and gray vinyl upholstery, and wraparound rear bench seats. This modified Dodge is now offered at no reserve by the seller on behalf of the owner with a clean California title in the owner’s name listing the car as a Dodge station wagon. Hilo Sampans are stylized public transportation vehicles that were pioneered in the area of Hilo, Hawaii, and are so named for their resemblance to flat-bottomed sampan boats that were common in the region. The vehicles were based on passenger cars sourced from various manufacturers and were modified with open sides and additional seating. This Dodge-based example was refinished in red with decorative graphics in 2005. The body has been extended at the rear and modified with solid side panels, removed side windows, a thatched roof cover, and a right-side doorway that is used for passenger ingress and egress. Additional features include a driver-side mirror, a boarding step, bamboo roof rails, and Ki’i-style figurines in place of the windshield wipers and above the windshield. The paint is cracked in places and, and the right-front wheel arch is chipped. Red-painted steel wheels are fitted with polished trim rings and Dodge-logo hubcaps. They are mounted with Hankook Optimo tires, and a spare wearing a decorated cover is affixed to the left side of the body. The suspension features an independent front setup and a live rear axle with leaf springs, and braking is handled by drums at all four corners. The brake shoes were replaced around 2019, and the wheel cylinders were replaced in September 2024, according to the seller. The forward compartment houses a single seat that was reupholstered in blue vinyl in 2005. Woodgrain trim accents the dashboard, and other features include a gray vinyl dash pad, a Pioneer CD stereo, overhead speakers, a segmented panoramic rearview mirror, and a coin receptacle. The finish on the wood roof supports is peeling. The ivory-tone steering wheel is cracked and shows wear, and instrumentation consists of a 100-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. The speedometer and the fuel gauge do not work. The non-functioning five-digit odometer shows 88k miles, approximately 4k of which were added under current ownership; true mileage is unknown. The rear compartment is outfitted with wraparound bench seating upholstered in tuck-and-roll gray vinyl accompanied by carpeted floors, bright side rails, roll-up side curtains, and overhead dome lights. The 218ci inline-six sends power to the rear wheels via a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission. The carburetor was overhauled around 2019, and the oil and transmission fluid were changed in preparation for the sale. Corrosion is noted on the underside, and additional underbody photos can be viewed in the gallery below. A Hilo Sampan retrospective book will accompany the car along with Hawaiian tourist literature and a shop manual.