Classic/Antique Car Repair: exhaust fumes, valve seals, way cars

Question
my 51 Lincoln has strong exhaust fumes- my buddy says thats
the way cars were before all of the EPA guidelines- what gives?

Answer
 JOE ;
 HI  - well the older cars did smell and smoke a bit , some would smoke so much you could not see them in front of you. but you could have bad valve seals, or some gasket leaking , so I would check the spark plugs to see if they are wet or fouled.  but yes some not all  did / do smell , etc. but not that much.if there is a lot of smoke than there is a reason for the smoke.  ok