How was it in the 60s-80s?

75slant6 said
I read the other day where a member said he doesn't like taking his car on long drives for fear of what's gonna break next. So that got me to thinkin, how was it back when these cars were used for everyday transportation or even for y'all who drive y'all's classics daily? Could/can you go on a long trip without worrying about what's gonna go out next? Can these cars be as dependable as any other car? I believe they can but what are y'all's thoughts?

And to the ones who dd your classics, what upgrades did y'all do to make your cars more dependable?

I drive a '72 Valiant 4door daily..slant 6/auto. I did put a newer aluminum radiator in it and changed the intake manifold to a 2 barrel but in essence it is primarily stock.It still has points ignition...lol
Just like any other car preventive maintenance is key. Keeping fluids up and changed and inspecting and using good belts and hoses and tune up are important! This thing runs mid 17's in the 1/4 mile....no speed demon but it is a lot quicker than the stock one barrel 19 second 1/4 miles

I remember my Dad's '70 Duster. It had a 225 slant six and auto trans. He had it from new until about 1985. It was the family car. Took him to work daily and the family everywhere else. The only problem it had was getting hit because it was parked on the street but it was a tank and soldiered on! And then there was the time when a bunch of the neighborhood cars got a sweet tooth compliments of some stupid kids pouring sugar in the gas tanks. That was the only time that I can remember when it had to be towed to be fixed. I'm sure there might have been other time/s but I don't recall and it was rare. He hated when me and my brothers got out of the back seat and smacked the headrest against the dash pad!
Anyway...it was really dependable and the point is that it got used as intended!