This might date me a little but… Who remembers the solid “clunk” an 8-track tape made when you stuck it into an 8-track tape player? I used to own an 8 track tape RECORDER. Yup, I was the only kid on the block that could record his own 8-track tapes.

Thanks to E-Bay, I’m once again the proud owner of an 8-track tape recorder. I’ve been dying to dub off my CDs to 8-track. Laugh if you want, but I’ve also purchased an unused-still-in-the-box “Sparkomatic” AM/FM 8-track car stereo. I can’t wait to install it in the Jeep. I can just imagine myself tooling down the road with the top down listening to something from the 8-track era. Naturally, I’ll have to connect the Sparkomatic’s wimpy 8-watt amp to a big gun Alpine power booster so I can share my crap with the younger generation. Its only fair, they don’t hesitate for a moment to share their crap with me. Hmm, maybe I’ll check E-Bay for a Sparkomatic power booster. I’ll bet I can find one with all those gaudy lights and maybe some of those vertically sliding equalizer controls.

There is a whole culture of 8-track enthusiasts who are still keeping the spirit alive. I’m not actually out to preserve this culture, just relive a little of it. As you might guess, Andie thinks I’m nuts. For example, I found a K.C. and the Sunshine Band’s Greatest Hits 8-track on E-Bay that had never been opened. I’m not exactly a big fan of this group but they do capture the essence of an era where songs written with five or less words sold really well. She thought I wouldn’t want to buy it because I wouldn’t want to open it and play it.

Mike: “Hey, I found an unopened KC and the Sunshine Band 8-track on E-bay.”

Andie: “You don’t want that.”

Mike: “Yes but its unopened so it should be in good shape.”

Andie: “I didn’t think you would want to open it.”

Mike: “Of course I want to open it. I’ll soon have an 8 track player in the Jeep.”

Andie: “It won’t be worth as much if you break the factory seal.”

Mike: “8-track cartridges should be listened to. I’m just helping this little cartridge fulfill its destiny by taking it out of the hands of those crazy collectors.”

Andie: “It will immediately loose its value once you open it.”

Mike: “Not to me… It will still be a high-quality 8-track.” (Keep in mind I’m only talking about the sound quality and the quality of the physical cartridge and magnetic media)

I’ve never been much of a collector but I am a bit of a nostalgia buff. I remember Coke cans with pull taps that you could link together and make into a chain. Even further back in the dark corners of my mind, I remember Coke cans you had to open with a “church key.” I still remember a time where, not only could you change the channel on the TV without a remote, but you had to go to the TV and twist a clunky knob and then fiddle with a “fine tune” knob. If you lived out in the sticks you’d also have to wave your “rabbit ears” around or stick a wire coat hanger into the rabbit ears when they broke.

I’ve also gotten nostalgic for certain foods - foods such as breakfast cereals. One time Andie bought one of those cereal “Variety Packs.” You know… the ones that had all the little boxes. Can anyone admit to ever eating Corn Pops? Not only can I admit it, I would recommend everyone stock their “munchie crash carts” with them.

I guess my point is, if you fondly recall something from your childhood, you should go out and do (or eat) it every once in a while. This whole 8 track thing is a fond memory from my childhood. That means its time to install another 8-track tape player in my car. As for the unopened K.C. and the Sunshine Band 8-track… I was outbid and didn’t get it. I was probably outbid by one of those silly collectors.