Quite a few young, light-hearted Twingo owners showcased their little Renault cult classic at the recently held, 2026 edition of the ‘Renaultoloog Meeting & Markt’ in the south of the Netherlands. Some in an incredible, original condition and many of them were heavily personalized (I’m referring to the Twingos, of course). In that regard, the first gen Twingo now falls in the same category as the good ol’ Citroën 2CV. I just let the pictures speak for themselves.
And now we’ll just have to wait for David Saunders’ update…
Full Renault Twingo story:
1995 Renault Twingo Easy – Renault’s Most Intelligent Small Car by Tatra87
How cute! I’d be inclined to make a “Harlequin” version using the stock color body panels a la VW Polo.
Thanks for sharing. One of my biggest joys when I travel in Europe is seeing all these small cars that aren’t available in North America.
Without a doubt, a car with personality for the European market.
If I’m not mistaken, it would be the successor to the R4, because my understanding is that the Clio replaced the R5.
The R4 was bigger, so not a direct successor. The Twingo started a whole new segment for Renault.
FYI, the current Renault 4 E-Tech (so a BEV):
There is also a super cute BEV re-edition of the mk1 Twingo as part of the Renault Iconic range.
Also on display at the everything-Renault party!
…
I’ve wanted a Twingo since I got a shot of one in Italy back in 2013 – I rented a third generation version in France a few years back but it wasn’t a patch on the original.
Those headlights IMO ruin the sleek and modern (for its time) design.
I’d prefer the 106 in exterior looks.
In my opinion,the headlights are one of its best features. It’s a friendly looking car and I love it.
It was Patrick Le Quément’s contribution to the original design, which looked otherwise indistinguishable from a Honda City.
It evolved into a timeless design.
That “don’t knock – stepmother asleep” Graffiti’s a bit bizarre… Dutch humour.
Rooftop cargo boxes are predominantly used to take the mother-in-law along on a roadtrip. General knowledge. It might work for a stepmother too.
Good plan.
See, the pragmatic Dutch could still teach us a thing or three.
Like they did with how to build Leyland trucks properly.
Thanks, Johannes. Any details on the blue one with all the blue hoses around the engine ? Must be a hoot to drive.
What I found after some web-searching: it’s powered by a turbocharged, Twingo II 1.2 liter D4FT engine (100 DIN-hp in factory trim, according to Wiki). So a genuine engine swap.
I wondered about that one all the silicone pipe work had to mean something a genuine pocket rocket
I honestly thought those tubes were just festive Twingoid balloons under the bonnet, till I looked closer!
What a great selection. I am not usually keen on one marque shows but I have special interest in Twingos and there is quite a variety of aftermarket additions on display.
That blue one with the blue hoses shows how tight the engine compartment is.
I should have an update on mine shortly. A little delayed as I got shipped some incorrect parts.
Luckily, the Renault model lineup is immense, note that all more recent and current models were also present. Plus all their classic and modern commercial vehicles/heavy trucks, farm tractors, Mack, (Renault) Alpine, and the Dacia brand. So anything Renault-related, regardless the era.
How far can a Twingo?
A long way. A long way.
Twice as far?
Weren’t Berlingo, Kangoo & Twingo in the Banana Splits?
Tra-la-la…
I’ve harvested a set of Twingo eyes from an abandoned one, as an emergency backup for if and when my Daihatsu MOVE headlamps are someday unavailable, having gotten into a Cuban frame of mind. With some header panel welding and with some slicing away their turn signal castings, they will indeed fit within the MOVE’s sockets and are made of glass, unlike the MOVE’s catarac-prone plastic lens originals.
Frankensteining their electrically-adjustable level motors to Daihatsu’s switch will be challenging. Just in case, I kept Renault’s switches aside:
Good thinking!
Great shots, great fun.
You say 2CV – I say Mini especially when I se the Twingo towing a cut off Twingo as a trailer.
And although I don’t speak it, I love the Dutch language, especially when you see things like “niet kloppen schoonmoeder slaapt”
…and the ‘taxi driver’s’ cell phone number: 06 – don’t call me.