As I understand new cable and housing is SO much better than it was "back in the day."

Although, I'm assuming you're talking about "old" housing, I've used Suntour Accushift housing for a few bikes with friction shifting. More for the novelty of having the "Suntour" and "Accushift" writing on the housing than for any performance aspect. Otherwise I've just used new housing on old bikes- I like the gray Jagwire stuff. The gray Shimano stuff cracked after a couple of years.