[chrs1961815]

Base clear is definitely easier for a novice painter. That is why I think the industry went that direction simply because lacquer pailed in comparison and you didn't need to be as experienced and trained.
That being said, base clear is obvious on a Model A from single stage. As one old painter told me, it looks too plasticy.

Fyi, single stage and base clear are both urethane. Some single stage is enamel but pretty much everything is urethane these days.