OEM in-dash players

I have a Blaupunkt AM/FM 8 track player in my '76 VW Beetle. Not only
does it play tapes great, it is the best FM radio I've ever had in a
Volkswagen.

Back in the day I bought new Craig and Pioneer players for the car.
Pioneer had a slight lead in sound quality. So much so, that I've sold
my original Craig in-dash units (wimpy small motors in them), but kept
the Pioneer (although an underdash)

Blaupunkt was the "top end" car stereo of the time. Much more
expensive than a Pioneer or Craig. If you have one of those, and like
it, wager it is at or near the best in-dash made.

Flip the coin, I bought a nice in-dash no name player for $1 at a flea
mart, chrome face, looked to be Cadillac or Lincoln, but it wouldn't
fit in the 1960-early 70's dash hole. Player too big. That one held
the tape rock solid with no side to side movement, like a home Akai
80D/Roberts 808D does. And it sounded great.

Does anyone have info concerning which models/brands of auto
manufacturer supplied in-dash 8 track stereo/quad players are of the
best quality and reliability?


If you are talking about OEM and not the after market it is easy.
Ford used Motorola, GM had Delco and Chrysler had a bunch of junk. The German
cars used Blaupunkt. I don't know of any Japanese original 8 track players.
The Delco units are by far the best quality and reliability. I worked on all of
them back in the day and GM 8 tracks are the best.
Dan2

(Danspeakin) wrote in message ...
Does anyone have info concerning which models/brands of auto
manufacturer supplied in-dash 8 track stereo/quad players are of the
best quality and reliability?


If you are talking about OEM and not the after market it is easy.
Ford used Motorola, GM had Delco and Chrysler had a bunch of junk. The German
cars used Blaupunkt. I don't know of any Japanese original 8 track players.
The Delco units are by far the best quality and reliability. I worked on all of
them back in the day and GM 8 tracks are the best.
Dan2

I was at a classic car dealership about a year ago and spotted a 1972
Rolls Royce with a factory installed quad 8 track system. Looked
really nice in that shiney wood dash.

Charles

(Danspeakin) wrote in message
...
Does anyone have info concerning which models/brands of auto
manufacturer supplied in-dash 8 track stereo/quad players are of the
best quality and reliability?


If you are talking about OEM and not the after market it is easy.
Ford used Motorola, GM had Delco and Chrysler had a bunch of junk. The
German
cars used Blaupunkt. I don't know of any Japanese original 8 track players.
The Delco units are by far the best quality and reliability. I worked on
all of
them back in the day and GM 8 tracks are the best.
Dan2

I was at a classic car dealership about a year ago and spotted a 1972
Rolls Royce with a factory installed quad 8 track system. Looked
really nice in that shiney wood dash.

Charles

Rolls Royce used Pioneer Quad Players. I just sold one ot a guy in England who
was restoring a car and needed a Quad to conplete it.
I just got back from a trip to Japan and asked my contact over there if the 8
track format ever got popular in Japan. He says that it never did, in cars
anyway.
Dan 2