I learned a lot about engineering from the old Chevy's. The good and the bad.
The first time you park the truck, it's a good workout. Teens and very few women can handle manual dry steering on a truck. It's a manly job.
As I was parking it and brushed up against the curb, the tire dug in and the steering wheel went crazy spinning.
I tried to grab the wheel and it trashed my hand
Very forceful. Installed power steering right away after the bandages came off. I think it was a '67 steering box and pump brackets that fit.
Chevy was smart in keeping parts simple and the same across model years, and I do the same with designs - instead of a new custom part every time.
Brakes failed when I was entering a corner, so I slid on ice and nailed a curb. It was winter.
There's no dashboard warning light and the reservoir cover is steel so you have to pop the lid to check fluid level.
It taught me about engineering, feeling like GM was too cheap to put in a light. Or it's just that era.
Anyhow, I spend the extra penny and put lights/e-stop/fuse etc. on all safety-critical stuff where other engineers don't bother.