Alternate versions

The TV print needed extensive overdubbing to reduce the amount of profanity. In particular, Jackie Gleason's expression "Sum-bitch!" was replaced with "Scum-bum." This new word became a popular catch phrase with kids after the film made its TV debut.

For the 2006 "Special Edition" Region 1 DVD release, the film finally obtains a non-monaural sound track. However, to achieve a modern-sounding Dolby 5.1 track, most of the sound effects (screeching brakes, revving engines, etc.) have been completely replaced with re-recorded effects.

The line "fuck off" said by Sheriff Justice after a state trooper call his vehicle a "a piece of crap" had to be obscured by the sound of a big rig honking it's horn so that the film could avoid an "R" rating and instead receive a "PG" rating since a use of the sexual expletive at the time meant an automatic "R".

In the television version, there is an extra scene inserted right after Snowman retrieves Fred from the pond. The Bandit spots a police car heading past him, and gets on the CB to warn Snowman to slow down, not knowing that he hasn't even taken off yet because Fred ran away. A winded Snowman finally arrives back at the truck carrying Fred and hears the Bandit trying to get his attention. Out of breath, he asks Bandit what he wants. Bandit replies "When you get that damn dog in the truck, you can put the hammer down, because by that time, that smokey will have gone by you." After hearing that, a perplexed Snowman wonders aloud, "How'd he know that?"