Originally Posted by bikemig

I wouldn't. When vintage touring bikes hit $1k, I'd buy a new bike. Older touring bikes tend to be limited in the tire size they can take. Not a deal breaker since 32c (or 1 1/4) is perfectly acceptable for touring but being able to fit a little fatter tire and a fender is nice. Plus I have never seen an old bike that didn't need a substantial amount of labor and often parts to work right. I love old bikes but I'm not convinced that they're better for every application if the price is comparable and I'm skeptical that they are a better choice if what the OP wants is a touring bike. The answer is different if the OP simply wants a cool bike. That's a matter of taste not function and cost.