The 1973 Chevrolet Corvette featured many small changes from the '72 model that were aimed to help maintain its reputation as a first-class sports car. Little touches, such as a longer front bumper to protect the fiberglass car when parking, made big differences to consumers. Zora Arkus-Duntov, the car's architect, was very concerned about weight, allowing race enthusiasts to save 35 pounds by buying aluminum wheels. The LT1 engine was gone, leaving in its stead a 350-cubic-inch, 190-horsepower small-block V8 or a 454-cubic-inch, 275-horsepower big-block V8.