VIMS hand-builds six very different mobile units, from a full restored-Airstream kitchen to a Vespa that pours wine. This guide compares the entire lineup side by side — the Streamliner and HY Series trailers, the Citroën HY Van, the Piaggio Ape and Vespa Bar piccolos, and the Electric Méhari — so you can match the right unit to your concept, space, and budget.
Quick answer: choose a trailer (Streamliner or HY Series) for a full working kitchen you can tow and park; the HY Van for a drivable, head-turning icon; a piccolo (Piaggio Ape or Vespa Bar) for compact coffee, retail, and bar service at events; and the Electric Méhari for zero-emission brand activations and retail display.
The VIMS lineup at a glance
| Unit | What it is | Mobility | Best for | Footprint | Starts at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streamliner Trailer | Restored genuine Airstream kitchen | Towable | Full-service food & beverage; showpiece brands | Mid–large | $80,000 |
| HY Series Trailer | New-build concession trailer (Citroën Type H homage) | Towable | Turn-key food business, US-compliant | 18 / 20 / 22 ft | $55,000 |
| Citroën HY Van | Authentic restored 1947-era Type H van | Drivable | A mobile icon: food truck, espresso, retail | Compact–mid | $85,000 |
| Piaggio Ape | Restored three-wheeled Italian platform | Stationary unit | Coffee carts, retail, bars, activations | Very compact | $29,000 |
| Vespa Bar | Restored 1960s Vespa mobile bar | Stationary unit | Weddings, pop-ups, tight venues | Smallest (fits 36" doorway) | $18,000 |
| Electric Méhari | Restored 1968 Citroën Méhari, converted to electric | Drivable (EV) | Brand activations, resorts, retail display | Compact | $49,000 |
Every unit is built to order and fully customizable, with typical lead times of 12–32 weeks depending on the model and finish.
Trailers: the full-kitchen workhorses
If your concept needs a real commercial kitchen — cooking, prep, refrigeration, and space to work — a towable trailer is the answer. VIMS builds two, at different ends of the spectrum.
Streamliner Trailer — the restored Airstream showpiece
The Streamliner Trailer is a genuine American Airstream, stripped and rebuilt into a mobile food-and-beverage kitchen with a polished, unmistakable silhouette. It is the premium choice for established hospitality brands that want a unit which draws a crowd on looks alone. Fully customizable interior. From $80,000.
HY Series Trailer — the turn-key, US-built concession trailer
The HY Series Trailer is a brand-new, 100% American-built concession trailer inspired by the classic Citroën Type H — a homage, not a restoration. It comes in three sizes (18, 20, and 22 ft) and is built to US food-service and towing standards out of the box (road-legal axle, coupler, and spare). From $55,000, it is the most practical way to launch a turn-key food business with vintage character.
The Citroën HY Van: a drivable icon
The Citroën HY Van is the real thing — an authentic, fully restored 1947-era Citroën Type H, rebuilt as a turn-key mobile business you can actually drive. Use it as a food truck, espresso bar, or mobile retail space. The original drivetrain is restored, or it can be converted to electric on request. It is a registered, road-legal vehicle, which sets it apart from the trailers (which must be towed) and the stationary piccolos. From $85,000, it is the flagship for brands that want a mobile landmark.
Piccolos: compact bars, carts & retail
The “piccolos” are VIMS’s small-footprint units — perfect where a full trailer won’t fit, and ideal for beverages, coffee, and retail rather than heavy cooking. Both are designed as stationary service units (styled classics, not street-legal to drive).
Piaggio Ape — the versatile three-wheeler
The Piaggio Ape is a genuine three-wheeled Italian classic converted into a compact mobile bar, coffee cart, or retail platform. It is the most flexible of the small units, with more service surface than the Vespa, and works beautifully indoors or out. From $29,000.
Vespa Bar — the smallest footprint
The Vespa Bar is built on an authentic 1960s Vespa, fitted with a beer or wine tap and refrigeration. It is the smallest unit in the range — it fits through a standard 36-inch doorway — making it perfect for weddings, indoor venues, and tight pop-up spaces. From $18,000, it is also the most affordable way into the VIMS lineup.
Electric Méhari: the zero-emission brand vehicle
The Electric Méhari is a genuine 1968 Citroën Méhari, hand-restored and converted to a fully electric powertrain (up to 100-mile range, 55 mph, zero emissions). It is less a kitchen and more a rolling brand statement — ideal for resorts, retail display, and promotional activations where a charming, drivable classic does the marketing. From $49,000.
How to choose the right unit
You need to cook a full menu: choose the HY Series Trailer (best value, turn-key) or the Streamliner (premium showpiece). Pick the HY Van if you want that kitchen to be drivable and iconic.
You are serving coffee, drinks, or retail: a piccolo is ideal — the Piaggio Ape for flexibility, the Vespa Bar for the tightest spaces and lowest entry price.
You are running events or weddings: the Vespa Bar and Piaggio Ape move easily and set up fast; the Streamliner anchors larger activations.
You want a marketing centerpiece more than a kitchen: the Electric Méhari or HY Van deliver maximum visual impact.
Head-to-head: the questions we hear most
Streamliner vs HY Series Trailer
Both are towable kitchens. The HY Series is a new build to US spec at a lower price ($55,000) with three sizes; the Streamliner is a restored Airstream with premium presence at $80,000. Choose HY Series for value and compliance, Streamliner for a statement.
HY Van vs HY Series Trailer
Same design DNA, different format. The HY Van drives (a registered vehicle, from $85,000); the HY Series Trailer is towed and parked (from $55,000). If mobility and icon status matter most, go Van; if working space and budget matter most, go Trailer.
Piaggio Ape vs Vespa Bar
Both are compact stationary units. The Ape ($29,000) offers more service surface and versatility for coffee or retail; the Vespa Bar ($18,000) is smaller, cheaper, and unbeatable for tight indoor venues and bar service.
Frequently asked questions
Which VIMS units can cook a full menu?
The HY Series Trailer, the Streamliner Trailer, and the Citroën HY Van are built for full food service. The piccolos (Piaggio Ape, Vespa Bar) are designed for beverages, coffee, and retail rather than heavy cooking.
Which units are street legal or drivable?
The Citroën HY Van and Electric Méhari are registered, drivable vehicles. The Streamliner and HY Series are towable trailers. The Piaggio Ape and Vespa Bar are stationary service units, not street legal to drive.
What is the most affordable VIMS unit?
The Vespa Bar, from $18,000, followed by the Piaggio Ape from $29,000.
How long does a build take?
Typically 12–32 weeks depending on the model and level of customization.
Can the units be branded and customized?
Yes. Every unit is built to order with custom colors, layouts, and branding.
Ready to choose? Explore each unit — the Streamliner, HY Series Trailer, HY Van, Piaggio Ape, Vespa Bar, and Electric Méhari — or contact VIMS to spec a custom build.