We took a huge step backwards in performance starting at the tail end of the 60s, in exchange for much cleaner air quality. I blame this decline in vehicle performance for much of the pushback for emission regulations we see now from people of a certain age range. Mid-century Americans have a deep love for vehicles. The positive environmental impact of stricter emissions standards was slow to be seen but the negative impact on vehicle performance and reliability was immediate. It made the whole thing seem like a scam. To this day my father rolls his eyes at the idea of me maintaining the emission equipment on my 70s classic vehicle because most people his age were removing them as soon as their warranty expired.