I have to agree with Wayne on this one . . . I believe that being a part of the group we all believe that the 70s - 80s lightweight lugged steel frame is the pinnacle, but what to hang on this frame?
I also have to agree with the C-Record choice, though I'd go to the end of the evolutionary scale with the Delta brakes. Is the group functionally any better than SR? Nope. I raced them both. In fact, I remember the SR rear derailleur being a better shifting unit, especially when fitted with a NR cage. But man, oh man, it was pretty. All of that bright, shiny, polished aluminum. Those cranks were a work of art. The deltas weren't the best stoppers ever made, but sure looked great. The doppler shifters weren't quite as good as the simplex retrofrictions, but they looked better. And even though my 205 lb racing weight snapped the axles like twigs, those hubs sure polished up real nice. And though my size 13 feet were too big for the platform pedals (I had to use the SR pedals), they sure *looked* great. Hmmm . . . the "sure looked great" theme seems to be repeating here . . .
I suppose that in this highly subjective thread one tends to gravitate toward the exotic parts that the pros of the day rode. For me, a full C-Record equipped deep blue Colnago with white brake cables, hoods, bar tape, Regal saddle, and toe straps still makes the heart go a-flutter.
Rick