It happened in 1985...

[Grand Torino]

In 1985, as Coke saw some of its sales flip to the Pepsi camp, the company "reinvented" the original formula. They marketed it as the "New taste of Coke," and people hated it.

Within months, Coke reversed back to the now-"Classic" formula and actually saw a rise in sales. It's kind of like when an actor says they're retiring or a celebrity says they're quitting Twitter, and their publicity skyrockets before they all of a sudden change their minds.

The switcheroo may have given Coke a little bit of a boost, but it's historically seen as a cheap move.

[BrasilNuts]

The 80’s was full of stupid ideas, this is a very good example of one.

[Quavodus]

Yeah, very stupid.

[Grayfox54]

I remember that.  I did try it. The stuff was awful!  People were having fits. 

But it weren't no big deal for me. I've always been a Dr. Pepper man. 

[Garufa]

I recall those dark days and the return of "Classic" Coke.  "Classic" did not and does not taste like it did before this scam.  I believe that is also about the time they quit using sugar and started with the high fructose corn syrup.  There is a difference.

Edited November 13, 2018 by Garufa

[Raoul]

Mexican Cokes still use sugar. Or at least they did the last time I had one.

 

[Garufa]

33 minutes ago, Raoul said:

Mexican Cokes still use sugar. Or at least they did the last time I had one.

 

They do and they're tasty.

[Tuffus]

I actually knew a couple of people that liked the new Coke better and were upset when they stopped making it. I thought it tasted like a flat Pepsi that's been open for too long. Whatever happened to the old "battery acid" Cokes that we enjoyed in the 60's in the 8 ounce bottles?

[Quavodus]

The "Original Formula" had another secret ingredient. 

[Raoul]

5 minutes ago, Quavodus said:

The "Original Formula" had another secret ingredient. 

yeah the original original formula did, but not since 1903...

[Quavodus]

 Yeah, I knew it had been took out for a long time. I bet it was an eye opener.

Edited November 14, 2018 by Quavodus

[Raoul]

I bet you're right

[Ski]

9 hours ago, Tuffus said:

Whatever happened to the old "battery acid" Cokes that we enjoyed in the 60's in the 8 ounce bottles?

Funny you should say that.  I remember when they reintroduced "Coke Classic", and battery acid is what came to mind when I tasted it after adjusting to "New" Coke.