[2] Designed by Southgate, the DN1 used an aluminum monocoque and double wishbone suspension, and was powered by a 2993 cubic centimeters (182.6 cu in) Ford Cosworth DFV engine.

Having recently only worked with the smooth-revving BRM V12 engines, Southgate did not allow sufficient damping and reinforcement to compensate for the vibration of the flat-plane V8 DFV.

[4] The Shadow works team cars were finished in an all black scheme, with sponsorship from UOP.

[2] Graham Hill also purchased a Shadow DN1 during the 1973 season for his newly established team, Embassy Racing.

Driving the team's only entry, which ran in a largely white scheme with a red cordon imitating the sponsor's cigarette packets, Hill failed to score any points with the DN1.