That and government regulations ;-)
But if there is a cheaper way to accomplish a task or goal, and enough people want it, it typically finds a way to the market.
“That and government regulations ;-)”
Well, this is why I have a mixed opinion on government regulations and the EPA. In the 50s, 60’s, it was pretty stupid that these “classic cars” were absolute death traps that weighed 1000 pounds more than they should have weighed and got nine miles to the gallon if they were just tuned up. There are plenty of cars driven by ordinary working people today that are faster than all but the rarest, most expensive cars of that era (with the air conditioning on, yet), while delivering 2-3 times the MPG with incredibly more safety features. Of course, they are twice as expensive, but they last much longer, given that up north cars would disintegrate in about five years of winter driving.
Maybe I’m just getting older, but I wouldn’t drive a car daily built before 1967, and I would hesitate to drive one built before 1970. Before 1968, most cars had a single-circuit brake system. Leaking brake cylinder=no brakes, period. And before the 1970’s, car doors had about as much metal between you and a 4000 pound vehicle coming in from the side as a refrigerator door has.
So, the EPA and DOT did a pretty good job at one time. Now that their mission is largely accomplished, they are always looking for “something to do”.