RE: Want to get started in Classic Pattern - Which Plane?
There is no one answer to this question. What do you want? Ultimate performance? Early nostalgia?
Planes like the Taurus and Perigee fly great for what they are (semi-symmetrical wing, positive incidence, downthrust) and look nice
Planes like the Banshee, Curare, Dirty Birdy are more precise, with symmetrical airfoils.
In the end, all of the old pattern designs flew well, pick one that you like and start making sawdust!