My dad seems to feel the opposite, saying that the best columbian tops were only about the quality of decent BC... And he had good connections and the best pot around. Whenever I show him some super-chron, he takes one or two hits and lays back. He agrees with your stepdad about the hash, although he prefered Turkish black, or turkish goverment issue Hash when the black wasn't around.
Trust me, my parents were as big a hippies as any, and they both say the fire I sometimes get blows their grass out of the water. I see two scenarios that could be happening here. Either your stepdad is having a difficult time admitting that your chronic is, well, more chronic than his was... Or you have been showing him ditch-weed. No insult intended, so don't take it the wrong way. I actually think it's more likely the first possibility I mentioned you seem to know what you are doing.
There was actually a study done in the 70's by the U.S. government (The CIA, in particular, I believe) where they tested various samples of weed seized from all over the world. Most of the samples came in somewhere between 3% and 13%, somewhere around there, except for Thai Sticks, which measured at 22%. The reason for this is that Thai Sticks were adulterated with hash oil before shipping. I wish people still adulterated thier weed with hash oil, wouldn't that be sick? Anyway, my point is they had seized some of the very pot you mentioned. I believe the Acapulco Gold and Panama Red tested in the low teens. So basically, they were the best unadulterated weed you could get. I have had many conversations with both my parents about this. The general concensus around here is that while the quality of weed has gone up, the quality and of hash has gone down a little, or at least the really good hash is way too hard to find, lol, but even regular hash only comes around so often... I have yet to show them bubble-hash though, so you never know.
Basically I think you are right. Your logic is also good. Many of these strains were the basis for many early Sativa/Indica Hybrids, which ultimately became the plethora of varieties available now. Of course weed is better now. Theres been decades of selective breeding, usually for potency alone. Nowdays people breed for color and flavor too, but if the potency hadn't been increased in the last couple decades, their efforts would be less rewarding. Anyway, it WOULD be nice to actually hear from someone who actually is from this generation. I'm sure my secondhand info is alright, but I know you are really looking for firsthand info. Just sharing my experience on this issue, hope I helped a little