Not sure about the neglect thing, I suppose as long as you don’t neglect the bits that matter the thing will last for ages, take for example my daily usage chariot, it’s an S reg Ford Mondeo, rough as guts, done over 120,000 miles now, yet it only gets worked on if something breaks or is totally worn out to the point of illegality or MOT failure* (*which ever is soonest)
It gets a fairly regular oil & filter change, usually at no fixed mileage, just when remember or think that it needs doing.
The car does not get washed, well, it does, but only when it rains, it is not cherished as I see some folk do, & unlike the time of my parents it most certainly is not an investment.
When the wonder shed dies, it’ll be replaced with younger example & the cycle will repeat itself.
The Mustang of course is a different matter;)
Back to the original question, I believe that engine tech is far better these days, electronic fuel injection prevents bore wash that was a big killer with carb engines, as mentioned before, modern oils probably help also, so you could say it is a combination of elements that have progressed engines to the higher state of reliability we see today.
There are of course a few dogs lying in wait out there to catch the unwary, it would be unfair to highlight too many individual cases, but special mention must go to the Ford Probe (Mazda engined) both the 4 & 6 cylinder versions are cack, my 24v effort died spectacularly at 74k miles with full service history.
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