TRENTON, NJ - Calling it a way to get a small, quick bit of cash and save $1 million a year, Gov. Jon Corzine announced June 21 that the state is ready to begin auctioning off 809 state cars, according to the Newark Star Ledger newspaper. In all, state officials estimate that by selling the state’s surplus passenger vehicles in 100-car blocks, they can make up to $750,000 from the sales and save $1 million each year in fuel and maintenance costs. According to Corzine and Treasurer Bradley Abelow, the cars are ones deemed superfluous and not vital to government or the 9,995-vehicle state motor pool.

In all, the state hopes to unload 10 percent of the state’s fleet, which includes automobiles ranging from natural gas-powered police cruisers to a miniature school bus.

The first auction will take place July 8 at the state Distribution Center in West Trenton. It will be followed by separate sales July 22 and one more each month. The auctions will open at 8 a.m., with bidding to start one hour later. All cars will be sold “as is.”