Rare 8-track deck
 

I would probably attract a lynch mob at AK for talking about such a thing. Well, not really...

Anyway, I have seen a handful of automotive cassette decks with a record function, but never an automotive 8-track deck. It's not something I would pursue, in spite of being an 8-track enthusiast, especially at the price the seller wants, but I thought it worth a mention. According to the listing title, it only records in mono, but I don't see anything in the photos indicating that, and the manual appears to be sealed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310698520910

Recording isn't something I would want to try to concentrate on while rowing through gears. Of course I met one guy with a 5-speed '84 Tempo who said something like he would have a cigarette going while holding a Tim Horton's coffee cup in his teeth while driving. To each his own. Here it's illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving; I wonder how the cops would handle recording?

I only remember one cassette deck that recorded in the car. I don't remember at all WHO made the thing, but if you liked whatever was on the radio, apparently you could just hit a single button and start recording it.

It seemed like a valid idea at the time, but I guess you would have to have a blank cassette sitting somewhere, and sitting RIGHT at where you wanted to start recording at all times.

I think the ONLY 8-track recorder I ever played with was some '70s "all-in'one" stereo system (Electro...or somesuch). I used it to record my STYX albums to 8-tracks at the time :) I wish I still had those tapes around. I would get an 8-track for the Vega.

I used to have a Panasonic RS-806US recording deck. I regrettably gave it away when I temporarily got out of 8-tracks in 1999 or 2000. Old habits die hard though, or in my case just go dormant. Plenty of those Panasonics on eBay, someday I'll get another. I have six 8-track car stereos, all Ford units. My first stereo was a Sears unit with 8-track. The 8-track soon quit though, and it wasn't until long after that I realized it was a bad belt. It wouldn't change programs either. Finally, what was probably a cheap BSR turntable froze up, so only the radio still worked.

One thing I forgot to mention before, something that big wouldn't even fit under the dash of a 1984 or later Lynx. 1981-83 is no problem, as long as it doesn't have the full console. The ash tray would need to be removed, but I wouldn't care about that. Actually, I would probably opt for a CB radio in that space.

Early 70's - Chrysler's optional cassette deck could record and came with a microphone. It was a separate unit mounted on the transmission hump.

Oh yeah, I have seen those.

I havent heard an 8 track since the 80s -- Wouldnt mind hearing another :)

Funny, I didn't hear an 8-track until the early 90s, at least I don't think so. Lots of players and tapes to be had, just make sure to get a player in which the head isn't held in place by plastic with a set screw in the top, the plastic would often fatigue-crack. As for the tapes, their common ills are easily fixed. Lots of repair stuff available from Kate's Track Shack. The foil needed for the splices can probably be found at your local hardware store.

Not many appreciate these, so have at it, it would be good to hear of another "catching the bug". ;)

If you work on tube gear and restuff caps the foil from old paper caps makes a good replacement splice if the original is missing. I usually super glue and or use adhesive tape to fix broken splices.

Today, I bought a circa '75 Realistic 8-track recorder deck at the flea market for $4. In the '75 RS catalog, it was their TOTL model that sold for $149. A note on the recorder said they didn't know if it worked; which, means it probably doesn't work. However, it's so rare to see anything like this cheap anymore at the flea market; so, I went ahead and got it. It's getting so that many of these vendors think these things are worth $30+.

Old stuff for cheap is always good. :) Would you please post a pic? Also, what is TOTL? Probably an easy fix if there is something wrong with it.

Here it is:

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...psd2606e39.jpg

Thanks. Quite a nice unit. Just noticed the Dolby NR button. Not sure if I ever saw that on an 8-track player before.

I need to dig out the Akai deck and post a picture of that one. That one is by far the most professional 8-track deck that I've seen.

I double checked and my deck with Dolby was offered in '78 and '79 for $179.

I think I have seen the Akai decks, but I would still like to see yours. I saw another kind on eBought a while back that was absolutely massive and actually recorded in quadraphonic. Made by Panasonic but branded under a different name I think.

Edit: Found one! Completed listing though. Technics by Panasonic, model RS-858US. I don't really care about quad recording, but I wouldn't turn down one of these beasts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Track-Tape...p2047675.l2557

I have not heard an 8-track tape since the 1970s, and I have no more desire to now than I did then, which was about zero (cassettes were so much better, except the pre-recorded ones).

Well, I do still have the AM/FM/8-track deck I removed from my 1974 GMC motorhome; it would be fun to get it working and find a tape to play on it. Probably needs to be Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles, or something similar.

TOTL means "Top Of The Line". An eight-track deck with Dolby noise reduction is definitely high-end for that format.

Just stumbled on another kind, surprises abound. An Akai CR-80D-SS. Perhaps it's the same kind you have. I still prefer the Technics unit though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Akai-CR-80D-...51279629683%26

I've enjoyed reading this thread, I still have my Superscope Marantz TDR-820, 8Track play / record tape deck! :-) I bought it new in 1977, and I have kept it going all these years, and have kept my 8Track cartridges repaired, as well. It's still fun to play them, I have replaced the Capstan drive belt about 4 times over the years, because they stretch, have replaced illumination lamps, and cleaned and degaused the head several times over the years. I also enjoy listening to, and recording on stereo reel to reel, too!

Cool! Where do you get your belts, and what do you use to demagnetize the head?

A Marantz 8-track deck, its mere existence must have the hard-core audio snobs fuming, haha.

Today @ salvation Army I got one!! -- Its GLEN MILLER (2 albums on it) - 1974 (I think its Mono) 29 cents

I dont have a player but I wanna see if i can play 1 track anyway on either my VCR or my Cassette player.. (I like to experiment) -- I know there isnt a track changer on either but hearing 1 would be awesome!! (Maybe ill wait and see if I can find a player there)


I dunno if i have EVER HAD AN 8 TRACK!! (I have seen other ppl with them but I dont think I ever owned one)

I recently got back into 8-tracks just for the nostalgic element. With a decent player adjusted correctly, they can sound quite good. I have an AKAI CR-81 for recording, and also installed a NOS AM/FM/8-Track player in my '79 Cadillac. Most of the time, I just buy old tapes off Ebay that I don't care about, erase the music, and re-record w/new labels. Here's a pic of one of my homemade tapes (CCR "Cosmo's Factory"):

http://imageshack.us/a/img593/6169/rpvr.jpg

Wow, you're pretty hardcore, even I wouldn't go as far as to create labels. I prefer the tapes that were made for recording to begin with. The drawback to recording over pre-recorded tapes is the varying program lengths.

8-tracks were long gone from store shelves by the time I got my first (crappy) stereo with a bunch of them.

8 Track recorder for car is news to me.I have a Chrysler car cassette recorder like the one in the photos.

The insides look like it was made by Norelco Philips .

I could not imagine what the wow/flutter would be in one of those car cassette or 8track recorders would be as you drive over a bumpy road as you record some tunes or voice .