The 1958 model year is remembered by enthusiasts as the apex of automotive excess: the largest-ever cars with the most lavish trim.

Few were more chrome-covered than the 1958 Buick Limited, a new series that brought back the famous Limited name, once used to denote Buick’s largest, grandest, and most expensive models.

True to that heritage, the 1958 Limited was the top of the line, carrying the same dynamic “Fashion Air Dynastar” styling as other Flint products of the year, including a remarkable grille composed of 160 faceted chrome squares, but with more brightwork on a longer 127.5-inch-wheelbase chassis, for a total span from nose to nose of over 227 inches! Distinctive to the Limited were the “hash marks” along the rear fenders, as well as a more sumptuous interior and two-speed Flight Pitch Dynaflow transmission, featuring three turbines and a variable-pitch stator, which was mated to its punchy 300-horsepower overhead-valve V-8.

Detroit was caught unawares by 1958’s flash rec...