Good morning Vanagon.com

I have been a long-time on-and off reader, dating back to the mid-90's I believe. I live in the DC area, and I've got an 85 Westy, Zippy, that I bought new off the lot. During that time, I've had all the usual (and some unusual) trials and tribulations with the car, including several years as a driveway ornament. 

I've recently gotten the car back on the road, getting safety items fixed first. I got the fuel lines replaces, most of the brake parts, belts, battery, voltage regulator, shocks, horn ring, etc. I did some of it myself, and had a guy in Oakton VA, Alaric Hernandez, do most of it. It was more reasonable than I thought, but still not cheap. 

I love the feel of the van, and am happy to get behind the wheel again. My 18 year-old daughter is also using the car, and sometimes my wife. I love to see them driving it.

At the moment, we are confining it to local trips due to dry rot on the tires. Lots of tread left on the tires, but they are probably 10 years old, and they make me nervous. As you guys know, new tires are expensive for the van. I've already outspent the budget my CFO has allocated to the car, so I'm trying to get by without having to go full retail for new tires.  In addition, if I'm going to spend the real money, I'd rather put it into a set of larger rims and tires, rather than the stock 14s.

Does anyone near DC have a set of roadworthy used tires laying around they want to sell? Or someplace in the DC area that's worth checking?  I'm keeping an eye on Craigslist and the Samba, but I figured I'd hit you guys up as well. I have a line on one set, but they have ben described as kind of old and cracking and I'm not sure how much better they are than my existing tires.

Peter Krogh
Author, The DAM Book, Digital Asset Management for Photographers
Second Edition May, 2009
www.theDAMbook.com