They’re not just cars, and they not just gubernatorial.
There are now half a dozen wheeled vehicles lining the Concourse to the Empire State Plaza, including limousines acquired by Governors Nelson Rockefeller and Franklin Roosevelt. While officials are still mum about why they’re there, some of them now have placards.
Like the Packard Twin 6, which was purchased by FDR in1932. He never rode in it — recall he was elected president that year — but left it for his successor. It seats seven and was one of the preeminent luxury cars of its day.
There are also some old wagons, including one (per its placard) from around 1900 that belonged to James E. Snyder of Valatie. It’s called the “Tin Peddler’s Wagon.” (It’s pictured.)
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is a well-known car buff, so, maybe he’s keeping these on the Plaza so he can work on them between legislative meetings? We kid, but recall that his spokesman Josh Vlasto’s explanation of the cars was, “I’m declining to elaborate at this time.”
Assemblyman Jack McEneny, D-Albany, predicted the cars will be part of an omnibus announcement about state and Capitol history when Cuomo delivers his State of the State speech next week.