Worldwide one of one
Auction: For sale to the highest bid
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​​1971 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible with four speed manual transmission (Muncie M20)
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Numbers matching 407 cui Pontiac - V8 engine equipped with variable valve lift and valve duration rockers (Vari-Lift rocker system) according US Pat. 7,171,930
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Additional set of Vari-Lift rockers encluding 1 set Edelbrock 87cc heads for Pontiac
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Original patent certificate US Pat. 7,171,930
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​Option for a follow-up patent (For more information, see "advanced knowledge" on page U.S. Pat. 7,171,930)
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Brief description of the car
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This 1971 Pontiac LeMans convertible is the only vehicle in the world equipped with variable valve timing based on U.S. Patent 7,171,930. The technology that helped Honda achieve great success with its V-TEC system in the early 1990s was adapted for this vehicle through this invention. This is how this beautiful and unique V-TEC Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible came to be.
General Motors didn’t want this invention, Ford didn’t want it, Chrysler didn’t want it, and major aftermarket companies like Edelbrock, Brodix, or AFR didn’t want it either. Even Hot Rod magazine didn’t deem it appropriate to publish or mention this invention in their magazine.
This vehicle was acquired in 2008 by Alberto Keel, the inventor of the Vari-Lift rocker arm system, so that after all the setbacks and disappointments he had experienced, he could use his own invention for himself. After a meticulous, two-and-a-half-year complete restoration, this vehicle was first put into operation in the spring of 2010 with a Vari-Lift prototype engine. It was driven on the roads for 7 years with the same engine, during which time the variable valve timing operated 100% reliably and, from the outside, completely unnoticed.
Unfortunately, during the annual inspection conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles in the fall of 2016, the engine was found to be producing excessive power. As a result, the inventor’s official operating permit for the vehicle was revoked.
To avoid having to disclose the invention to the Department of Motor Vehicles, he decided to reinstall the original engine. Prior to this, he restored it in such a way that the installed components would allow for the potential installation of the variable valve timing system and would also be able to withstand it.
In October 2017, the vehicle was presented to the Road Traffic Authority with the freshly restored original engine. The vehicle regained its operating permit and, moreover, was even granted the coveted classic car status.
After the inspection, the original engine was also equipped with the Vari-Lift rocker arm system. The variable valve timing has remained undetected to this day.
This unique vehicle, which has been in the inventor’s possession for 18 years, is now offered for sale here.
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Odometer at installation of prototype engine 2010: 40700 km (25290 mi)
Odometer at installation of original 407 cui engine 2017: 91005 km (56547mi)
Odometer now 2026: 121000 km (75186 mi)
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​​​​Brief description of the installed Invention (U.S Pat. 7,171,930)
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U.S. Patent 7,171,930 describes a rocker arm for internal combustion engines that enables switching between two gear ratios. The switch occurs based on load and engine speed while the engine is running (e.g., at 3,500 rpm).
Changing the rocker arm gear ratio causes a change in valve lift, valve timing, and valve overlap.
The two freely selectable transmission ratios are achieved by an eccentric built into the rocker arm body. A shift pin allows the eccentric to be connected or disconnected from the rocker arm body.
The invention makes it possible to operate the engine more economically (with reduced valve lift and shorter valve timing) in the lower speed and load range. Under full load and in the higher speed range, the engine can be operated in a performance-oriented manner (with full valve lift and longer valve timing).​​​​​​​​​​
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​​​​Brief description of the installed 407 cui Vari-Lift engine
The engine currently installed in the vehicle is based on the original (numbers-matching) 350 Pontiac engine. It has a bore of 3.905 inches. By installing a long-stroke crankshaft, the original stroke was increased from 3.75“ to 4.25”, making it a high-torque long-stroke engine with a displacement of 407 cui (6673 cc).
When designing the engine’s characteristics, the vehicle’s drivability was the primary focus. The goal was to achieve the highest possible torque, which should be available even at very low RPMs and, thanks to the variable valve timing, can be maintained at a high level across a very wide RPM range.
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This 407 cui Vari-Lift engine possesses unique dynamics. Alberto Keel, the inventor of this variable valve timing system, describes the engine’s characteristics with the following words: “Even after 16 years, it’s still impressive to me when the rocker arms switch to full lift under full load at around 3,500 RPM and the engine unmistakably tells me: ‘Hey, here we go.’ But the true strength of this engine lies in the fact that this vehicle can be allowed to drop to an idle speed of 600 rpm—with 4th gear engaged and without having to touch the clutch pedal. You then coast along at exactly 29.2 km/h, just like that.”
Additional set of Vari-Lift rockers encluding 1 set of Edelbrock 87cc heads
Wouldn't it be interesting to know how the Vari-Lift system performs in a 461 engine or even in a 488 engine in a lightweight Firebird?
The buyer of this vehicle should have the freedom to answer this question if they wish to do so. They will therefore receive a second Vari-Lift rocker arm set and a set of 87cc Edelbrock cylinder heads. This means they won't have to “sacrifice” the engine of this convertible just to install the Vari-Lift rocker arm system in another engine or vehicle.
Of course, the buyer is free to do whatever they want with the additional Vari-Lift rocker arm set.
Displaying this set at home in a display case, right next to the original patent certificate, would certainly look very nice. It would certainly arouse the curiosity of some viewers. A second patent certificate with the option “follow-up patent” could even be added next to the original certificate, issued in the buyer's name. And down in the garage would be the convertible. It really couldn't be any more unique.
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