I remember that as well. I remember talking about it with my parents relatively recently as well. They had claimed they used to enjoy the smell of gasoline in

I remember that as well. I remember talking about it with my parents relatively recently as well. They had claimed they used to enjoy the smell of gasoline in their youth and that it became repugnant only after they reached a certain age. I thought that was a reasonable explanation back then. Similar to developing a taste for certain food ingredients. However in hindsight, the transition from leaded to unleaded gasoline actually explains this better.