Why Buick Called It the Nailhead: The Real Story Behind the Iconic V8's Name
Buick's Nailhead V8 earned its name from a specific technical detail, not marketing fluff or folk wisdom. Understanding the naming reveals how mid-century Buick engineers thought about valve train design—and why the engine became a staple in hot rods and custom builds for decades.
The Nailhead is one of those rare engine names that actually means something; too bad modern marketing has forgotten how to name cars with this kind of honesty.