Since the 80s I don't believe there have been any really beneficial technological advances in the average street legal motor vehicles except maybe ABS.
They are still running on piston/crank engines which is 100 year old technology and putting computers on top of them has not really improved them.
As for styling, it comes down to which maker at which time. The 60s saw some beautiful shapes in the British cars like Jaguar, Triumph, MG, Rover, Aston Martin and Austin Healy.
When Ford Australia made the transition from the 70s to the 80s, the X D to F series was a great improvement in styling with the XE being the pick of them.
This was an original S Pac 4 speed that I unfortunately sold for $900 about 5 years ago. It is probably worth 10 times that now.
This is an original Fairmont I bought 10 years ago for $800 and has been my daily driver ever since. I never get sick of it and it never lets me down.
The one series of Ford Australia cars from the 70s that have maintained their desireability is the X A to C coupe/fastbacks.
I believe they are a better looking muscle car than any Mustang or other American import.
The following are some of my favourite classic cars with the Shelby Cobra being my particular favourite.