Modern car engines reach around 200k--depending on the make.

The transmissions are another beast. They just seem to die at 140k, plus, or minus how you drive.

Their wasen't constant valve adjustments, or carb adjustments , distributors were dead simple. 90% of the time it was a bad condenser, or the points contacts needed sanding, unless you happened to own a British Vehicle.

And yes Amercan vechicles made in the late 70's, and 80's were aweful.

Old was not necessarily better, but Shade Tree mechanics could work on them.

There's a reason wealthy men buy old classic cars. A few years ago the average guy could buy a vice classic. Today--it's changed. Their are guys stockpiling older collectable vechicle.

Every wonder why the new cars offer just 7 year, or 100,000 miles of the Powertrain warranty?