Back in the day, it was the best format for playing music, next to reel to reels.
Because the 8-track was constant feed, it had a constant audio output. Even though the cassette was basically a small reel-to-reel, the actual r-t-r had mechanisms to adjust the speed, where cassettes sped the tape feed as the one reel got larger and the other got smaller.
Record players were more tempo distorted...the press put the grooves on at a constant rate, but a standard swing arm record player read at a faster rate the closer you get to the center of the record.
My mom threw out the player 10 years ago.
HOw many 8 track players did you have that were stolen?