How was it in the 60s-80s?

Thinking back, I remember a lot of issues in the rain - cracked distributor cap left me stranded in a downpour - learned to replace it occasionally, and carry a small can of WD-40 in the glove box. Also left an umbrella in the trunk after than cold/wet night.

You also were very careful going through standing water - lose the brakes, or get the ignition wet - both were bad. Riding the brakes to dry them out after every dip (So Cal didn't get enough rain to justify storm drains everywhere, so there were a LOT of dips that just filled up - and in a big rain, whole intersections would flood).

Points stranded me, so learned to throw an extra set of points and a feeler gauge in the glove box with the can of WD-40.

Alternators went out a lot, so learned to push-start my car.

Learned to put tires with good tread on the front (another rain story...)

AAA was a great thing (though you had to walk to a pay phone to call them).
Sears was great (free electrical system diagnosis).
Buddies were great (didn't have to wait for some 'brethren' to take pity on you and pull over to help you push your car out of the road - or to the gas station - and I rarely didn't pull over to help somebody else push their car, either).

For the most part, we just drove...and improvised when things didn't work.