Worldwide one of one
Auction: For sale to the highest bid
​
-
​​1971 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible with four speed manual transmission (Muncie M20)
-
Numbers matching 407 cui Pontiac - V8 engine equipped with variable valve lift and valve duration rockers (Vari-Lift system) according US Pat. 7,171,930
-
Additional set of Vari-Lift rockers encluding 1 set Edelbrock 87cc heads for Pontiac
-
Original patent certificate US Pat. 7,171,930
-
​Option for a follow-up patent (For more information, see "advanced knowledge" on page U.S. Pat. 7,171,930)
​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Brief description of the car
​​​​​​​
This vehicle is the only one in the world equipped with this variable valve control system. I purchased this rare convertible in 2008 to use my own invention (US Patent 7,171,930). After a loving two-and-a-half-year complete restoration, I equipped the vehicle with a high-performance tuned 407 cui Vari-Lift engine, which had a speed range of 650 rpm to 7200 rpm. I drove the vehicle on the roads for years, with the variable valve control installed unnoticed. Unfortunately, during the fourth general inspection by the Road Traffic Authority in the fall of 2016, irregularities and excessive engine power output were detected. As a result, the official operating license for the vehicle was revoked.
In order to avoid having to disclose the invention to the Road Traffic Authority, I decided to reinstall the original engine. Before doing so, I restored the 350 cui engine so that the installed components would be able to cope with and enable the installation of his invention.
In October 2017, I registered the vehicle with the Chur Road Traffic Authority and presented it with its freshly restored original engine. The vehicle was granted operating approval once again and even received veteran status.
After inspection, this 407 cui stroker engine was also equipped with the Vari-Lift rocker arm system. The built-in variable valve timing system remained undiscovered until today.
I am now offering this unique vehicle, which I have owned for 18 years, for sale here.
​​​​
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)
​​​​​​​​​
​​​​Brief description of the installed Invention (U.S Pat. 7,171,930)
​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​US Patent 7,171,930 describes a rocker arm for internal combustion engines that allows switching between two transmission ratios—while the engine is running, mind you—which corresponds to a change in valve lift, valve duration, 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).​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​
​​​​Brief description of the installed 407 cui Vari-Lift engine
The engine installed in the vehicle today is based on the numbers matching 350 Pontiac engine. It has a bore of 3.905". The installation of a long-stroke crankshaft increased the original stroke 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 characteristics, the focus was on the drivability of the vehicle. The goal was to achieve the highest possible torque, which should be available even at very low revs and, thanks to variable valve timing, can be maintained at a high level across a very wide rev range.
What typical American V8 engine builder isn't familiar with the following question: Should I install a “wild” camshaft and accept a “shaky engine” in the lower rev range, or maybe not?
It has always been an eternal compromise. Either you get more power at the top end and less power and poorer drivability at the bottom end, or vice versa.
This 407 cui Vari-Lift engine knows no such compromise. It has unique dynamics. Even after 16 years, it still gives me a thrill when the rocker arms switch to full stroke at around 3500 rpm under full load and the engine tells me in no uncertain terms: Boy, here we go. But the real strength of this engine lies in the fact that it can be dropped to an idle speed of 600 rpm with the 4th gear engaged and without having to touch the clutch pedal. You then roll 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.
​
