Best looking reel to reel

My vote would have to go to the one I had back in the late 70s, the Pioneer RT-707. It might not be the gnarliest, but it just may have been the most unusual looking.

https://www.hifiengine.com/images/model/pioneer_rt-707_open_reel_tape_deck.jpg

I'm going to echo route-66 here a little. Pioneer made a higher end version of the 707 called the RT-909. If you're into chrome it should push all the right buttons.

The Technics RS-1500 series, especially one rehabbed by J-Corder in Gig Habour, WA.

Many many thanks for all these useful suggestions to all of you.

As a teenager in the 80's, the 2 machines I dreamt of owning were the Technics RS-1500, or the Teac X-2000M.  I had neither the funds nor good reason to own one at the time... but now I do, and had just had a Technics 1500 refurbished by J-corder.   It's very cool and sounds amazing.
One thing to really consider is whether you want a 2-track or 4-track deck.  The consumer machines are 4-track, and play the tape in both directions.  Pro 2-track machines only play the tape in one direction, but use the entire tape width for better S/N ratio.  Some decks, like the Technics, have 2 play heads to play either type of recording, but it only can record 2-track.  
Both machines, I think, look pretty gnarly!