Mystery in Hall No. 7: A showcase of questions

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Oh, how we love a picture that leaves room for interpretation and explanation. This one certainly does. And with no information at hand at all, let’s try to decipher what we see.

There is a hall — Hall No. 7, to be precise, as signposted — with a number of cars in it, all varied in style, purpose and appearance. The model years seem to vary as well. So what is this eclectic mix of vehicles there for? Is it a motor show or exhibition? The numbers behind them may well correspond with a catalogue. The cars also seem to have notes on their windscreens, which may very well mention a price, so that would fit with the exhibition idea too. But which show is it then? Hang on — could they be second-hand vehicles?

There is another sign above the vehicles advertising ‘C. Rongier’ in Choisy-le-Roi, now part of Greater Paris. Was Rongier perhaps a dealer? And are the people positioned in front of the vehicles representing his company?

And then the cars themselves. A Citroën, Renaults? Panhard et Levassors? They do seem to leave little doubt that this is indeed France. But please, do let your imagination run freely too!

Words: Jeroen Booij. Picture: Christophe Bousquet

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