GM’s third production overhead-valve V-8 engine in five years, the Buick “nailhead” was the warmup act for the small-block Chevy, and a classic in its own right.

Modern-day Buick is but a shadow of its former self, unless you're into crossover SUVs, in which case it has several appealing options on sale. A couple of decades ago, Buick was still cranking ...