The Concorde obsession / feelings could be becuase people see it's grounding as a step backwards?
Just as people suddenly decided it was a British aircraft and that the French had little if anything to do with it?!?!?
For me I think it was because I spent many happy days with my father when I was young at Heathrow and she was a highlight of the day... It reinforced those memories and brings home those innocent days of youth were long gone...
I forgot to add the Fairey Fantome to my list earlier too...
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and I should think if you were stranded somewhere or in desperate need, the sight of a Beverly for example (taking the original post) would make it the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen...