This article is from the 8-track Tapes FAQ, by Malcolm Riviera malco@interpath.com with numerous contributions by others.
You are assuming, of course, that nobody makes 8-tracks anymore; there
IS at least one country music TV-album outfit from Tennessee who still
market their goods on 8-track (Cindy Lou Records). Also, a few hungry
young bands have put out homemade 8's recently of (mostly) alternative
music. But you're probably talking about the big labels, who had
8-tracks out of the stores by 1983. The mail-order record and tape
clubs, however, kept the Reaper away from the door for another few
years, offering exclusive 8-track versions of top albums for some time.
These tapes don't quite have the quality of prime 8-T craftsmanship,
but watch your friends eyes bug out when you show them you have George
Harrison's "cloud nine" or Michael Jackson's "Bad" on 8-track. The last
Columbia Record Club 8-track we know of was "Chicago XIX", which
shipped in 1988.
It has been reported from one tracker that in Mexico 8-tracks abound. This
tracker reports to have recently (1995) purchased some brand new Tejano,
brought into the country illegaly.
 
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