Free 8-track tapes

[lloyd3]

I was digging out my man cave today, making room for newer occupants (and cleaning up from last year's fun trips). Space is becoming a premium in there these days (wife & son have their treasures stored there too now) so as I cleared a path to the back wall rack, I realized that it was filled with boxes of 60s thru the 80s of 8-track tapes.  Most were working when I boxed them up roughly 20-years ago.  It is a mix if music, everything from rock to country to pop.  If anybody here owns a car with the original player, then these thing might have some interest. If you'd like a box of 20 or so (or maybe two boxes) let me know. I realize very few folks saved their original sound systems, so I don't expect many takers.  The tapes are free, if you pay the postage.  I'll give it some time and then most are off to the dump (Goodwill won't be interested, I'm guessing). At the last count, I believe I had something like 400 or so.

[69rtse4spd]

I am, got a 69 4-spd with 8-track.

[69rtse4spd]

P.M. sent.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I just checked.

I've got dozens of them already.

I'm going to pass...

[draftingmonkey]

Inspect and repair as needed before use. If you need to repair any of the tapes check over at Kate's Track Shack http://www.katestrackshack.com/. Repaired a number of my 8-track tapes with their parts. Probably the rubber rollers will be goo by now.
Yes, some of us still use them  .

[moparstuart]

I would love a couple boxes of Rock Music  , have an aftermarket in my 70 Road Runner couple and a AM/ 8 track in the birdible  

[lloyd3]

Wow! Way more of a response than I expected. You folks need to know that the tapes that survived were mostly the less-than desirable artists, like Vangellis or Slim Whitman or some serious unknowns (they just didn't get used).  I accumulated these items in my search for mostly hard-rock tapes to replace my own original library from back in the day.  I certainly have a mix of stuff, but it's hardly rare or exotic (other than the fact that all 8-tracks are pretty rare these days).  Do keep that in mind.  Think of the music back in the day (mostly the 70s) ...Carpenters, the Osmonds, Engelburt Humperdink, Dean Martin, you know... elevator music! Sadly, that is what dominates in this stack.  In order to get maybe one or two tapes that I really wanted, I normally had to buy a pile of tapes off of some eBay listing, or...somebody at work had heard that I was looking for tapes for my old car.  That means everything that was sitting over at grampa's house,  including bootlegs, soul, unknown country, even religious stuff.  I wish it was all Beatles, Aerosmith, Tom Petty and Van Halen....it isn't.  

Something else you need to know...the post office isn't cheap anymore. A decently packed box of tapes is likely going to cost $20 to $25 bucks to ship.

[Alaskan_TA]

Do you happen to have any 'Gator' grain 8-track tape cases?

Louis Armstrong ?

Any 60s-80s pop?

My 1970 Sport Satellite has a factory AM / 8-track (Gator top too) & I also want to put a player in the shop just for nostalgic tunes.

[VegasCharger]

Something else you need to know...the post office isn't cheap anymore. A decently packed box of tapes is likely going to cost $20 to $25 bucks to ship.

You should consider using USPS flat rate boxes.
Depending on how many 8 track tapes are requested a certain amount would fit into to these boxes.

Medium Flat Box $13.65 (11"x8.5"x5.5")
Larger Flat Rate Box $18.90 (12"x12"x5.5")

These boxes are free to pick up at your local post office and the charges don't apply until the shipping designation is paid for.

This is for USA lower 48.

[stripedelete]

Do you happen to have any 'Gator' grain 8-track tape cases?

Louis Armstrong ?

Any 60s-80s pop?

My 1970 Sport Satellite has a factory AM / 8-track (Gator top too) & I also want to put a player in the shop just for nostalgic tunes.

I've got you covered on the "gator" case.   

If lloyd3 runs out, I've got plenty of country.  (from when it wasn't cool:))

[Alaskan_TA]

Something else you need to know...the post office isn't cheap anymore. A decently packed box of tapes is likely going to cost $20 to $25 bucks to ship.

You should consider using USPS flat rate boxes.
Depending on how many 8 track tapes are requested a certain amount would fit into to these boxes.

Medium Flat Box $13.65 (11"x8.5"x5.5")
Larger Flat Rate Box $18.90 (12"x12"x5.5")

These boxes are free to pick up at your local post office and the charges don't apply until the shipping designation is paid for.

This is for USA lower 48.

As a former resident of Alaska with a lot of package experience, I can assure you that flat rate box rates are the same for ALL 50 states.   

Note that the USPS site says anywhere in the country & yes, Hawaii & Alaska are part of our country. 

https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-flat-rate-boxes-variety-pack-P_VARIETY_FRBV

[lloyd3]

I'm still shocked to hear that so many folks have 8-track systems in their cars.  Also, good to know about those "flat-rate" boxes, thank-you!  I have a few car cases, but no "gator" examples.  Because of other commitments, this week is fairly-well shot now, but I should be able to start getting boxes filled next week.

[Alaskan_TA]

My Fury III has a vintage aftermarket unit that still works well. 

[moparstuart]

   i have the tape too and these    

[moparstuart]

 

[VegasCharger]

As a former resident of Alaska with a lot of package experience, I can assure you that flat rate box rates are the same for ALL 50 states.   

Note that the USPS site says anywhere in the country & yes, Hawaii & Alaska are part of our country. 

https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-flat-rate-boxes-variety-pack-P_VARIETY_FRBV

Cool!!! Good to know, Thanks TA. 

[lloyd3]

Ran into this today. Good combination of car and music.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Brcuu0TxGk

[Polygon]

Mail some classic rock or whatever, be happy to pay for shipping. I have an in dash 8track and under the dash.
JohnPredgen
3307 50th Ave E
Bradenton, Fl
(can you believe I goofed my zipcode?)
34203

Be happy to get then an reimburse you, or mail a check in advance.

[bakerhillpins]

Do you happen to have any 'Gator' grain 8-track tape cases?

Louis Armstrong ?

Any 60s-80s pop?

My 1970 Sport Satellite has a factory AM / 8-track (Gator top too) & I also want to put a player in the shop just for nostalgic tunes.

Few on ebay ATM.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BLACK-ALIGATOR-SKIN-LOOK-8-TRACK-STORAGE-CASE-HOLDS-24-TAPES/253392323502?hash=item3aff5c03ae:g:-NQAAOSwATtabL3n

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BROWN-ALIGATOR-LOOK-8-TRACK-STORAGE-CASE-HOLDS-15-TAPES-4/162770864064?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49893%26meid%3D60bfbfdbf6eb415da7e4faefd6595e6a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D253392323502%26itm%3D162770864064&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

[billssuperbird]

I have an AM FM 8-track in my car and it works good.
sometimes it gets more attention than the car does

[moparstuart]

:

I have an AM FM 8-track in my car and it works good sometimes that gets more attention than the car does

mine to  especially with a couple 8 tracks up on the dash 

[F8-4life]

Are 8 tracks really worth anything?
I looked on ebay and they look relatively cheap, even the more desirable rock n roll stuff .

[timmycharger]

I have been looking for a Van Halen 1984 8 track for years, they are around, but usually $50 to $100. lots of the 80s stuff like Prince or Madonna are getting huge money.

Ive paid $20 a piece for a few Ozzy Ozbourne ones.  


I love having the 8 track in my Charger, as it was said, usually people talk about that the most.  My factory 8 track is modified with RCA/Amp inputs and a 3.5 jack for an MP3 player or Ipod.  

[Alaskan_TA]

Are 8 tracks really worth anything?

These tapes are like the cars we listen to them in, the value is in using them as they were intended to be used. 

[nvrbdn]

Love the old 8-track systems. Actually have 4 car stereo's and a few of the portable boom box style, plus 2 home systems. Plus a couple hundred tapes. And I found a pair of "Kraco hump speakers" for the back window. Just need to find some good speakers to mount in the boxes.  Plus 6 of those fun carry cases.
                             Next we can talk about my album collection.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Back in the day I preferred my old 8 tracks vs cassettes...    they didn't wind up getting tossed out the window along with all the tape that got pulled out of the player after they jammed up like cassettes did.  Cracked up the last car with an 8 track around 83.
I held onto a bunch for awhile but tossed the rest out when I finally signed up to Columbia house to get a butt ton of CD's for $1 or whatever it was.   I still have a Pat Benatar 8 track she autographed in '79.

[lloyd3]

I haven't forgotten you folks, I've just had some unanticipated complications here.  Maybe next week?

[Alaskan_TA]

I just picked up a vintage unit for the house, still has the original speakers.   I tested it out over the weekend with some Eddie Rabbitt & Alice Cooper 

The FM radio picks up a lot more stations than the one I had too.

[lloyd3]

OK, the first three boxes went out today to the first 3-folks who contacted me with interest in receiving some tapes.  

Using the Post Office's biggest flat-rate Priority boxes, this is a test of a number of things:

1. My continued interest in charitable giving.,
2. How well the post office can deliver these now-ancient and somewhat fragile things with out destroying them,
3. How well the recipients receive & like them, & then...
4. How well these said recipients pay me back for the $18.90 flat rate charge for each box.

My return address is on the boxes.  When I've been compensated for these first three, the next batch will go out.

[bakerhillpins]

If you haven't already sent them, I believe that these qualify for media mail which is MUCH less expensive.  You should ask the post office agent before you ship them.  


[edit] oh, well, looks like you sent some out already...  so much for reading carefully. LOL

[lloyd3]

I found at least a whole box full of country & western (Waylon & Willie, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, etc.). Any interest, anyone?

[Nacho-RT74]

this is funny! By the time you started this thread I was at the same time watching some HiFi home 8 track players. I never checked this thread before but now.

I dream someday to get at home EVERY kind of audio player in working conditions just for fun, show and collecting, allong with music to play with them. Can't make it right now, but some day. At this moment just have a Revox Reel ( needs a deep mantenience ), Revox TurnTable and Tascam Cassette/CD combo player. Still need a Minidisc, DAT and 8 tracks players. Several interesting 8 tracks players on ebay can still be found and I was watching some just out for curiosity

[Alaskan_TA]

Hey Lloyd,
A box of tapes arrived yesterday, check for postage is in the mail.

Listening to some of them now......

A pal of mine also lives in Parker, small world......

Thank you! 

[lloyd3]

Barry: Thank you for that. Glad they got there ok.  Is your buddy another PA guy?

[Alaskan_TA]

He is a CO lifer. I was out that way to pick up a car & parts in November, it was good to see him.

[VegasCharger]

lloyd, any chance of having the Grass Roots "Lovin' Things" 8 track?

Been looking for awhile for that one. It has sentimental value as my dad played that one during our family vacations in the '67 Chevy station wagon.

[moparstuart]

got mine ,  check is on the way 

[lloyd3]

VegasCharger:  I only remember seeing a greatest hits for the Grassroots.  Next time I go digging I'll keep an eye open for it.

[VegasCharger]

VegasCharger:  I only remember seeing a greatest hits for the Grassroots.  Next time I go digging I'll keep an eye open for it.

Thanks lloyd.

If you have the Grass Roots GH or any Grass Roots, I'll take them and gladly pay in advance for shipping.

[Daytona R/T SE]

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