I also think it's pretty cool that the look of the forum hasn't changed--at least it hasn't since I've been a member, which has been over six years. Did it look just like this in the very beginning? I'm assuming so. In any case, a lot of folks think bitcointalk is outdated, but does it really need a whole bunch of bells and whistles? I think not. The purpose of it is to facilitate discussion, and I think it does that just fine as it is. It would be very weird to me to see the new forum software (whenever that's coming out, probably in the next century).
It did look the same, but there was no merit, feedback, or trust network. I'm with you on the nostalgia of this forum. I will be sad if this doesn't continue to live on. I'd personally like to see this forum forked even if the 'old' forum was given some new url. It would be great if this place could go back to before the drama and signature campaigns. Maybe remove all the additions since satoshi left and get back to what made this place great (actual enforcement of rules by people who care) while all the signature spammers, merit whores, and trust nazis could be free to move to the new forum.