General Discussion Discuss your Oldsmobile or other car-related topics.

What old 8 track tapes do you have around?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old November 13th, 2010, 05:27 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
jensenracing77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,503
What old 8 track tapes do you have around?

i was talking to jmbond111 about 8 tracks and tapes and got me thinking about this. i would like to find a couple Beach Boys 8 tracks if someone has any. i have a couple REO Speed wagon and meatloaf that i found.
jensenracing77 is offline  
Old November 13th, 2010, 05:52 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
hamm36's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Dallas
Posts: 651
I have The Elvis Presley Story right here. Got 20 of the big hits on it, RCA 77'.
hamm36 is offline  
Old November 13th, 2010, 05:57 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
Tedd Thompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,719
8 track

I have a bugger batch of them. I use them in a player at my cabin, doesn't get much use and they last a surprising long time. Mostly old country, Willie,Merle and the boys. I pick them up at yard sales for almost nothing....Tedd
Tedd Thompson is online now  
Old November 13th, 2010, 06:10 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
stevengerard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chi-town
Posts: 4,511
I'll see if I have any beach boys, I just donated probably 50 of them but they were mostly country and opera - yes opera
stevengerard is offline  
Old November 13th, 2010, 07:57 PM
  #5  
Oldsdruid
 
rocketraider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,295
Wow- never realised the record companies offered opera or classical on 8-tracks. Mebbe because all of that I have has always been on vinyl...

Eric, in my 8-track days I didn't listen to anything as tame as the Beach Boys. I was into loud heavy 60s and 70s rock and roll, which truth be known sounded like *** on 8-tracks even thru the Craig Powerplay system I had, but all we wanted back then was noise.
rocketraider is online now  
Old November 13th, 2010, 09:39 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
1969w3155's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Muskegon, Mi.
Posts: 8,610
I'm looking for a "Alice Cooper Goes To Hell" to stick in my player at future cars shows.
1969w3155 is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 04:51 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
WTony's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Beachwood, NJ
Posts: 1,461
I actually have an Oldsmobile 8 track tape. I think its from the mid 70's? They used to give a complementry tape out if you bought a car with an 8 track player.
In the glovebox of my car I keep about 6 tapes. Have a box of about 30 but no Beach Boys.
Check the swap meets and flea markets. Maybe Ebay, You'll find one.
WTony is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 06:06 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
stevengerard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chi-town
Posts: 4,511
yes on ebay but your best bet is an old record store, they are usually a buck or two. I actually paid 4 bucks each for two Beatles tapes but other than that they are a dime a dozen. I even have an 8 track player hooked up to my house system, they sound awful!!!!! I'll take a look and post some of what I have as I will never listen to all I have anyway - at this point the stereo doesn't even work (once again it did before the body shop got a hold of it).

I think they produced everything in 8-track we just don't remember. I have found mostly classical, jazz and opera (Pavarotti up the yin-yang). I think either the rock is being horded somewhere or was buried with these cars as they got junked.

I too have an Oldsmobile tape but I think from 1974 - these are the ones worth the most - I see them $10 - $20 all the time occasionally someone thinks they will get $100
stevengerard is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 06:46 AM
  #9  
Texas Jim
 
Texas Jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Killeen, Texas
Posts: 437
Question: Do all you guys have a pack of matches to wedge in between the tape and the edge of the player opening to **** the tape to keep it from dragging? LOL! I remember titles like; War: The World Is A Ghetto and Curtis Mayfield: Superfly "music from the movie," and Cat Stevens: Moon Shadow. etc. LOL! And don't forget that everyone had what we called a "lid" w/ them back then, which made the music sound so much better. Who said that the 8 tracks didn't sound GREAT??? Then in the early '70s, the "high tech" cassettes came out and in no time sent the big 8 track to the grave. I think it's great that you guys still keep them going.

Last edited by Texas Jim; November 14th, 2010 at 06:54 AM.
Texas Jim is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 07:09 AM
  #10  
Registered User
 
kbgood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Rhinelander. WI
Posts: 80
It's been a long while since I looked at the titles but we must have 40 or 50 tapes. We had them for our boat but the Dynamic has a 8 track player and we may have to dig them out of storage. I was into hard rock back then if I remember correctly, my hubby rock & roll. If I find any we don't want I will post the titles.
kbgood is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 07:19 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
Lady72nRob71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Here are most of my 8 tracks... They have been in storage for 20+ years, not even sure they play well. Maybe it is time to hook up the 8 track system and see what they do.





BTW, if you REALLY want the Beach Boys on 8 track, find me a good blank or a known good tape I can erase and I can record one from the BB LPs I have...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
IMG_1344.jpg (75.6 KB, 268 views)
File Type: jpg
IMG_1345.jpg (88.5 KB, 263 views)
Lady72nRob71 is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 07:38 AM
  #12  
Registered
 
Bluevista's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,430
Hey wow Rob, you have some really groovy tunes, Tarkus is the utmost...man.
Do you have pseudo Armadillo-Army tanks in Texas???


You can get just about anything but human parts on evilbay, the better sellers replace the pads and sensor foil tape and test them, 8 track tapes...not human parts.
You can fix them yourself using sticky backed weatherstripping foam chunks or and get the foil tape at Radio Shack.
You can get some brand new still in the cellophane on evilbay, mostly Trini Lopez and Ferlin Husky... but hey?
I got a like new with sleeve Beach Boys "Endless Summer" double length tape for 12 bucks including shipping. I have that and Sly and the Family Stone's Greatest Hits. I need to expand my collection or get an 8 track tape recorder, you can record over Trini Lopez and Ferlin Husky tapes.
I use my 8 track to cassette adapter then in that my cassette to MP3 player adapter hooked to my MP3 player too...or just turn on the amfim.
8 tracks use a 1/4 inch tape with 4 stereo tracks, not much room but if the head is clean and aligned right and all is good with the world they don't sound bad, better than AM radio?
8 track players are cool, as they say..."What else can you listen to two songs at once on?"

I saw an NOS 1969 Oldsmobile 8 track demo tape sell for over 600 bucks on evilbay, those '69 guys are almost as nuts as Mopar guys.
Bluevista is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 08:33 AM
  #13  
Registered User
 
stevengerard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chi-town
Posts: 4,511
Originally Posted by Bluevista

I use my 8 track to cassette adapter then in that my cassette to MP3 player adapter hooked to my MP3 player too...or just turn on the amfim.
Great idea, I have an 8-track cassette adapter too, I should do that but maybe add the Cassette to CD adapter first then cd to MP3 adapter, about time I stik the last one in it will be in the back seat.
stevengerard is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 10:04 AM
  #14  
Registered Abuser
 
Red Delta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ontariario
Posts: 443
I picked up a console with a working 8 track. I found a bunch of tapes at a yard sale one time and played them. Half of them stopped working when the splice tape broke.

So, be forewarned, your favorite tape may break.
Red Delta is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 10:58 AM
  #15  
Registered User
 
Jaybird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Posts: 901
8Track.jpg
Jaybird is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 03:37 PM
  #16  
Registered User
 
OLDSRALLYE350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Posts: 152
8 track tapes for sale

this fella over at v8buick just posted a few for sale http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=217013
OLDSRALLYE350 is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 03:49 PM
  #17  
71 & 72,now I want a 68
 
w-30dreamin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 1,864
Cool thread...I was all cheesey and happy when I heard my 8-track working.
I have 2,Poco and Three Dog Night.
I have been told they are on ebay,just havent looked yet.
When I go to swap meets Im always on the look out for some Elvis tapes,I need one with the song "burning love" and anything Led Zeppelin.
Also one of those black tape cases like Rob has would be cool to have for the car shows.
w-30dreamin is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 04:40 PM
  #18  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
jensenracing77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Brazil Indiana
Posts: 11,503
i didn't know it but my mom had some. i am going to look at what she has. i looked on e bay today and there are loads of them there also.
jensenracing77 is offline  
Old November 14th, 2010, 09:26 PM
  #19  
Registered User
 
vette442's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: McMurray, PA
Posts: 1,781
Originally Posted by jensenracing77
i was talking to jmbond111 about 8 tracks and tapes and got me thinking about this. i would like to find a couple Beach Boys 8 tracks if someone has any. i have a couple REO Speed wagon and meatloaf that i found.
I have nice one owner, low-mileage copies of Endless Summer, Spirit of America and Good Vibrations. Pic attached. $20 shipped if you're interested.
Terry
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
20101114215523.jpg (60.0 KB, 33 views)
vette442 is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 10:08 AM
  #20  
Registered User
 
kristy3268's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Red face Oldsmobile 8Track

Originally Posted by WTony
I actually have an Oldsmobile 8 track tape. I think its from the mid 70's? They used to give a complementry tape out if you bought a car with an 8 track player.
In the glovebox of my car I keep about 6 tapes. Have a box of about 30 but no Beach Boys.
Check the swap meets and flea markets. Maybe Ebay, You'll find one.
I would love to get the play list from the Oldsmobile Tape. We had that as kids and still have great memories from that 8 track. My parents got it when we got our Station wagon. Can you PLEASE help me with this?? It would be the greatest gift I could give my sister!!
kristy3268 is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 10:14 AM
  #21  
Registered User
 
drop top olds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 381
I can check at Antone's this weekend here in Austin. This store is about the only store in Austin that sells 8 tracks. I might get lucky. Are you particular about what songs are on it?
drop top olds is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 10:21 AM
  #22  
Registered User
 
AzChevs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Glendale and Sierra Vista,Az
Posts: 599
I have about 150 ones that I would listen to and another 25 that were country,ect.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
vintage stuff 002.jpg (90.8 KB, 23 views)
File Type: jpg
vintage stuff 001.jpg (89.2 KB, 28 views)
File Type: jpg
vintage stuff 004.jpg (85.6 KB, 19 views)
File Type: jpg
vintage stuff 003.jpg (85.1 KB, 23 views)
File Type: jpg
vintage stuff 006.jpg (60.8 KB, 21 views)
AzChevs is online now  
Old November 20th, 2014, 01:03 PM
  #23  
Registered User
 
Jeff K.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Washburn, Illinois
Posts: 25
I too have a few hundred of these just sitting around in a closet.. I'll have to dig them out and see what I have. I know that some of the ones I have tried to play have broke due to age. I believe I even have a few blank ones still in the package somewhere...

It may be worth looking into getting an 8 track to cassette adapter to have a better variety of tapes available to you. Though of course, you probably wouldn't want to use something like that at a car show.
Jeff K. is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 01:53 PM
  #24  
Bfg
Registered User
 
Bfg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,023
Back in the day a lid cost $15.00 don't ask me how I can even remember? I still have some Deep Purple tapes. Highway star was one of my favorite songs!
Bfg is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 03:34 PM
  #25  
Olds Fever
 
CRUZN 66's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New York (Upstate)
Posts: 4,442
I presently have about 150 or so 8-track tapes.... many of them I recorded on blank tapes since I had two 8-track recording decks... Also, since the blank tapes you could buy usually had a longer run time then the actual album, I would open up the 8-track, remove the factory slice and cut out a pre-calculated amount of tape (time vs. feet) and then re-splice with magnetic splicing tape available back in the day....
CRUZN 66 is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 05:48 PM
  #26  
Registered User
 
Lady72nRob71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Best places to score cheap 8-tracks and cases (and records and cassettes, too) are the local thrift stores!
The stores here (and everywhere most likely) have loads of them. CHEAP. Not only Goodwill or Salvation army, but all of the mom & pop shops, too. Google 'thrift store' in your town and see what comes up. Many of my LPs have come from there, along with other neat vintage stuff, like radios and small appliances. No ebay pricing is the good part with most stores and some of the smaller shops will bargain with you. My best scores have been from such stores.

In offbeat news, Dallas also has its own 8-track museum - a 'must see' when visiting................
http://eighttrackmuseum.com/home.html
Lady72nRob71 is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 06:04 PM
  #27  
Registered User
 
oldolds88's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: laingsburg mi
Posts: 1,453
mine are hidden in the garage attic. i think i still have every one i bought back in the day. couple of big boxes of them. been up there a while,probly not much good anymore. mostly rock from the 60s, 70s
oldolds88 is offline  
Old November 20th, 2014, 06:49 PM
  #28  
Registered User
 
Propaneking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 61
These tapes can be rehabed. Pry open the case carefully. You can buy new sponges to replace ones that have dried or fallen off. You then carefully wind the tape thru the continuous loop until you find the splice and replace the tape splice with a new piece. The 8 track will play like new expecially with the sponges replaced. The splice breaking is the main cause for most to fail.
Propaneking is offline  
Old November 21st, 2014, 12:29 AM
  #29  
Registered User
 
nsnarsk65cutlass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Grass Valley Ca
Posts: 973
Originally Posted by Bfg
Back in the day a lid cost $15.00 don't ask me how I can even remember? I still have some Deep Purple tapes. Highway star was one of my favorite songs!
Not about the lid but highway star is still a good one.
nsnarsk65cutlass is offline  
Old November 21st, 2014, 01:03 PM
  #30  
Registered User
 
twintracks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 430
I don't have any, but need a few. This weekend we are installing a factory correct AM/FM 8-Track radio in my son's '77 Toronado XS. We found the correct radio, and then we found that we also needed a missing wiring connector. It had two, but needed three wiring plug-in connectors. Everything sourced from eBay. After that, I'm sure it will need speaker work. But QGT with my son is priceless, especially when he wants to be there.
twintracks is offline  
Old November 21st, 2014, 06:50 PM
  #31  
Registered User
 
Koda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 10,278
I don't have many. I seem to recall hearing the backbeat of Cecilia in the background of Bridge Over Troubled Water in a Simon and Garfunkel album.
Koda is offline  
Old November 22nd, 2014, 09:20 PM
  #32  
Registered User
 
railfan442's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Elkridge, MD
Posts: 26
I have about two dozen somewhere in my house. I also have a aftermarket 8 track player.
railfan442 is offline  
Old November 23rd, 2014, 05:09 AM
  #33  
Registered User
 
RonFX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grove City, Ohio
Posts: 375
Guys:
My first project in high school woodshop in 1974 was a 8 track tape case, man I was proud of it, couldn't wait to show my Dad! Remember there was no Fast Forward back then, if you wanted to hear the last song again, you had to drive around the block till it came back around. Good Times!! My brother and parents have quite a few tapes still, I'll check on them next time I am there and let you know.
Thanks, Ron
RonFX is offline  
Old November 23rd, 2014, 05:12 PM
  #34  
Registered User
 
Lady72nRob71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 11,798
Originally Posted by RonFX
Remember there was no Fast Forward back then, if you wanted to hear the last song again, you had to drive around the block till it came back around. Good Times!!
FF was available on higher end aftermarket auto decks and used in mid-range and up home decks. On the mid priced units, it was as simple as using a two-speed motor, low for play, high for FF. The sound would mute (thankfully) during FF.
Absolutely no rewind though due to how the cartridges were wound.
Good memories indeed...
Lady72nRob71 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
R-body_mopar
General Discussion
11
January 9th, 2016 12:19 PM
zodiacblue442
Parts For Sale
12
August 22nd, 2015 06:05 AM
marxjunk
Parts For Sale
2
June 6th, 2015 06:40 PM
BeenThere
Parts Wanted
0
September 18th, 2013 10:12 AM
68Tom
General Discussion
2
February 10th, 2009 08:27 AM



Quick Reply: What old 8 track tapes do you have around?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:30 AM.