There was talk....don't know if it ever happened....that the then hotshot marketing boss at AN (think it was Tom Dury or somesuch) was going to send a DC-9 rivet encased in glass around to all of AN's major clients to say "This is the last you'll ever see of a DC-9".
Interesting tho that the market surveys showed people did prefer the '9 with the 5 abreast seating and the very quiet premium section. That preference extended to the MD-80 which TAA was on the verge of buying (and which was in every way superior to the 737-300/400) but the TAA marketing folks were scared that the public would be told by AN...."its just a tarted up DC-9".
Apology...I did twice for a while each time betray my beloved '9 for the joys that will never come again of the 727. Sigh........