+1 langster steel. just cause i love mine.

but $440 for the frameset, +wheels+cranks+pedals+chain+cog/lockring+stem+bars+BRAKES will probably put you over budget.

from a purely aesthetic standpoint (i.e. useless) i would get the stripper just for that raw finish. mmm
the '84 brougham is cool looking but just on principle of that atrocious 'mashup' pukepile, should be boycotted.
support the lbs if they're good to you. that's the only reason i got the langster as opposed to anything else.