- The Norweigian version, at least when released theatrically, concluded at the end of the "big jump" scene, where Eleanor spins out to the song "Big Town, Big City". Everything afterward was removed, because the Norweigian censors did not want Mandarian to get away. The scene optically turns white, then cuts straight to the end credits.
- The line "Unit 10 and 1-Baker-5, 10-4, stand-by on Ocean", said at the start of the chase by the female dispatcher (over the shot of the first black-and-white and unmarked Mercury leaving the Long Beach PD parking lot), has been removed from the DVD release. Also missing is half of a line spoken over shots of the big crash in Redondo Beach at the end of the chase. In the DVD, we hear, "Redondo Fire this is Mobile Rescue 2. We're at the scene of a four-car collision with multiple injuries. Have a ladder truck respond Code 3, we'll need the jaws-of-life", before it cuts off as we see the shot of Maindrian driving. Originally, the dialog continued over this shot and we said, "Have Goodhew respond Code 3, and give us an ETA please."
- The original end credits sequence has been completely changed on the DVD release, with production stills replacing the shot of Billy and his friends getting out to examine their wrecked car, although their dialog and sound effects can still be heard. The black screen (with credits imposed over it) that features after the "Billy" footage is also gone, with the stills carrying on. Most of the credits have been reformatted, with 'H.B. Halicki''s credits now shown as 'H.B. "Toby" Halicki', and the original music/sound effects credits gone completely. All of the non-police "special thanks" credits have been removed as well, and the "Low-Riders" credits merged with the "Special Guest Appearances" credits and they conclude with video footage of Denice Halicki riding shotgun in Eleanor on a race track.
- The sound of the gunshot when the Long Beach officer shoots at Maindrian just before the Mustang takes out the open door of a stopped vehicle (next to the burning cars at the Carson St off-ramp) has been removed from the DVD release, making it appear that the officer is merely threatening Maindrian with the weapon, rather than shooting. Also removed are three words spoken by the Torrance PD sergeant through the bullhorn at Torrance Mazda. His original dialog, "This is the police, this is an emergency! Please clear the area, please clear the area! Come on, man!" loses the "come on, man" which is replaced with an echo of "area". Furthermore, Bud Wackeen is dubbed in the DVD release.
- The film was heavily re-edited after initially being submitted to the MPAA for rating, with particular concentration on the scenes where Maindrian meets with the South American contact and the Challenger is re-birthed in the workshop. This was due to the high visibility of pin-ups on the wall of the shop, with the MPAA threatening to give the film an R-rating if they weren't removed. With careful re-editing by Warner E. Leighton, the film passed as PG. Originally, Atlee picks up Maindrian and Corlis from the airport, and after Corlis' failed attempt at stealing the "Eleanor" parked near-by (with Harold Smith's wife inside), they conduct a drive-around of the airport parking lot looking for other potential hits. Maindrian then spots another Challenger ("Jill") and proceeds to steal it (footage which is seen later in the final cut of the film). They then return to base, and Maindrian meets with the South American contact by boat. After returning to his car, Maindrian calls the workshop where the original wrecked "Jill" is being brought in to be switched with the recently-stolen Challenger from the airport. He talks with Corlis about their plans while driving, and Corlis tries to ask for a pay-rise before Maindrian hangs up on him. He then joins the others to pull apart the wrecked Challenger and explain the re-birthing process to Stanley with Atlee. The original pre-release cut, shown as an Easter egg on the 2000 DVD release, but only in slideshow mode, has all these scenes intact.
- "Special Edition" re-release VHS/DVD version features remastered video, and audio. The soundtrack has also been completely changed.
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