Either people are to young to remember, or don't know whatever. Old cars had no power steering, no power brakes ect. You had to put some effort into it!
If I remember correctly MB actualy publishes two stopping distences in the manual. One with power assist, and one if you lose it. At least in my W126's manual.
I was born in 1985 and have driven a couple of cars with no power anything, MG.