If the tank is clean and the fuel lines in good condition, and a fresh fuel filter fitted, a mechanical pump is perfectly fine. After 45 years, it's reasonable that pumps will fail, rubber hose will perish, and tanks will accumulate muck in them.
Electric pumps are often noisy, and also fail, with the added concerns of wiring issues and bad earth's. In particular that it is run through a fuel circuit relay for safety reasons. Electric pumps are good, but for the average daily driver, probably overkill.