As someone who is just getting into collecting old sets, I would have to say that what I like most, is the charachter that the old sets have. From my memories, I would also agree that the older sets had more vivid color than the newer "black-grey box". Although it really isn't that old by the standards of some of the sets I have seen on this board, my first projects are going to be as follows: a circa 1988 GE Spacemaker 5" b&w tv radio combo that works, but has scratchy controls and needs a good cleaning, and a circa 1988 RCA 27" Colortrack" console that was working fine until the black-out this past summer--since then, no power, so I would assume it's hopefully just a fuse or something really minor. The RCA (before it conked out) had a far better picture than my 2003 Zenith has--I think I already have a weak picture tube!
All that being said, I would love to get my hands on a b& w console in working condition from either the 50's or 60's--it would definitely be my daily watcher!

Eric