Yes, much simpler these days.  I remember buying a 1967 Plymouth and I
had to decide if I wanted the full-size or mid-size (I chose the
mid-size), what engine I wanted (straight 6, 273 cu V8, 318 cu V8, 383
cu V8 or the 426 cu hemi V8), what carb on the V8's (2bl, 4 bl, 3-2bls
or 2-4bls), what rear end ratio and either a standard or limited slip,
3 speed or 4 speed stick shift or 3 speed automatic, 2 door or 4 door,
sedan, hardtop or convertible, what color paint on the outside (I
think I had a choice of around 10 or 12 different colors), solid color
or two-tone, what color accent strip on the chrome strip along the
side, type of seat (bench or bucket) type of fabric for the seats,
color of interior, AC or standard, PS, PB,  light package, etc.  I
think the pamplet listing the options was around 5 or 6 pages.  It
took me over a month to decide and another month for Chrysler to build
and ship it to the dealer.  It was a great car, I drove it until an
old man rear ended me and totaled it.

I bought a Corolla a couple of years ago.  Went into the dealer's
showroom, did a test drive, wrote a check and drove it home.  We
didn't get the color we wanted or the radio package we wanted but we
did get a car.

Jack

Damn, I miss those days.....