In the mid-to-late 1970s, Sears sold portable 8-track tape players. There were three distinct models:
The red units just played tapes (no radio.) Regular price was $49.99.
The blue units included an AM/FM radio. Regular price was $59.99. Strangely enough, the FM section was NOT capable of receiving stereo broadcasts.
The white units were top-of-the-line. They featured an 8-track player plus AM/FM stereo radio. Regular price was $69.99.
In the spring of 1977, I found a white one at a Sears Surplus store for just $34.99. These were special stores that sold overstocks, discontinued merchandise, and items that had been returned to Sears regular retail stores. Of course, 12-year-old me just had to have it! It proved to be a solid, reliable unit with decent sound quality. My only complaints were that it did not have jacks for headphones or external DC power. Both would have come in handy during our frequent family car trips. Let’s just say that Dad’s musical preferences were not the same as mine! It would also have been nice to have a tone control and a longer antenna for better FM reception of distant stations. Even with these shortcomings, it was well worth the $35 that I paid. The leather handle with metal supports was much sturdier than the cheap plastic handles found on most portable tape players. It was also detachable in case you wanted to use it permanently in a bookshelf or desk setting. Model number 19276.
Did you have one of these Sears portable 8-track stereo tape players? If so, what are your thoughts?
I never owned a Sears 8-Track player, but I did have a Panasonic RQ-832DS player. It was pretty solid and had a great tone. BTW – it did have AC/Battery! I still miss the “Ca-Chunk” sound.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vintage_Panasonic_8_Track_Portable_Tape_Player_With_FM-AM_Radio,_Model_RQ-832DS,_AC_Or_Battery_Operation,_Made_In_Japan,_Circa_1977_%2832996735396%29.jpg
I tripped on your blog today and it really has been a fun read down memory lane.
Hi Rob!
I have the stereo version of that one: Panasonic RS-836A. A friend’s father purchased it new in 1976. After he passed away, she gave it to me. Near perfect shape, including the antenna. These Panasonics had long antennas which were easily bent and/or broken. I also have the original box and packaging materials. And yes, it still works perfectly. I’m amazed the rubber belt has held up for nearly 50 years!
Thanks for the kind words. This blog is a “labor of love”, so I work on it and add material as time permits. Stay tuned to most of these same stations!
This was my choice in May of 1979. It, Molly Hatchet Flirtin with Disaster, and Van Halen II were my summer jams.
https://www.acmebrooklyn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/MU126.jpg
Hi Peter!
I remember that one. Our local Woolworth’s sold Sanyo radios and players. They had a pocket AM/FM radio, a basic “piano key” cassette recorder, an AM/FM cassette recorder, and your AM/FM 8-track player. All in matching black. I had the pocket radio and piano key recorder.
As for “Flirtin’ with Disaster”, I didn’t discover that album until the fall of 1979. In May, my top tapes would have been Van Halen II (of course), Cheap Trick “At Budokan”, Styx “Pieces of Eight”, and The Cars. Absolutely loved the Cars! Especially the following month when “Candy-O” was released.