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The folks in the UK probably didn't identify with the lyrics. Most wouldn't even know what a T-Bird was. Many wouldn't know what an Indy 500 Race was.

Perhaps the problem was that T-Bird is a brand name. The British used to frown on brand names being mentioned in song lyrics. George Hamilton had to redo his 1956 hit "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" for release in England, singing instead, "A Rose and a Candy Bar." Similarly, to pass muster in the UK, Johnny Bond had to redo his 1960 hit "Hot Rod Lincoln" as " Hot Rod Jalopy" with no mention of any brand names of cars. He also described the hot rod race in question as starting in Southampton, England instead of San Pedro, Calif.

Great point! Here is perplexity.ai with a very famous change for BBC:

The Kinks had to change the lyrics to their song "Lola" from "Coca-Cola" to "cherry cola" due to the BBC's policy against product placement136. The BBC banned the song because of the Coca-Cola reference13. Ray Davies flew from the U.S. to London to change the lyrics12.

Do note, however, that perplexity also lists the songs of the Beach Boys that made the Top 10 in the UK, and NONE were Surfing or Car songs.

"Barbara Ann"
"Sloop John B"
"God Only Knows"
"Good Vibrations"
"Then I Kissed Her"
"Heroes and Villains"
"Do It Again"
"I Can Hear Music"
"Break Away"