I still remember walking into a bike store in 1982 and seeing a Campy tricked out Celeste Bianchi. That was it for me. I didn't have funds for a nice bike at that time and was riding a "SONNE Cycle" which was made in China out of what looked like pot metal. I bought a set of Campy bar end plugs for the SONNE but it wasn't really the same thing
Eventually I was able to scratch that itch and get a few really nice steel bikes. I ride carbon also, but the steel bikes hold a special place in my heart.