I think we have come a long way.
My 2010 3 liter Ford Fusion gets 27 MPG in mixed driving and is way faster than my first car a 66 Ford Failane with a 5 liter motor that got 17 MPG.
Smaller motor, faster car with better mileage.
Of course double overhead cams and a 6 speed automatic tranny beat the crap out of a pushrod V8 with a 3 speed. Not to mention you can stand in back of it while it's running and not be asphyxiated.
My 2010 3 liter Ford Fusion gets 27 MPG in mixed driving and is way faster than my first car a 66 Ford Failane with a 5 liter motor that got 17 MPG.
Smaller motor, faster car with better mileage.
Of course double overhead cams and a 6 speed automatic tranny beat the crap out of a pushrod V8 with a 3 speed. Not to mention you can stand in back of it while it's running and not be asphyxiated.