Not so much a joke as having the same flaw carbs did, it was mechanical.
Since sacrificing half the passenger compartment for the vacum tube computer management system in 1964 proved unpopular and expensive it was unable to self-adjust. Not much different than the high maintenance multi carb systems that people still try to convince themselves are better.
The "mis-fire" while poorly received, was actually quite good if you could find someone who had the ability to set it up correctly. The dealer mechanics were 99.9% of the problem with this system, unlike today's where the mechanic only has to read the blinks from the check engine light and know what the sensor looks like.
LSI integrated circuits didn't come along till the mid 80's so the electronics just wasn't there to make it cost effective (or much more efficient). The Bosch system, being from '75 would at best have had rudementary fuel management.
Detroit also offered four wheel disc brakes on the vette starting 1963, the Z finally offered them in when? Around 1985 or so? Camero and Firebird also had the option starting 1976. Ford finally got around to it around the same year (Lincoln mkIII).
But we've been down this path before...