Joe Estevez, who played the sailor driving the car (Don McCord), is the real-life younger brother of Martin Sheen, who played Don's brother in the movie.
Don's ride was a 1951 Ford coupe. Michael's ride was a 1934 Ford three-window coupe. The car that Lyle drove, and was subsequently killed in was a 1955 Mercury Montclair.
Vic Morrow's ride is a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere. 1957 and '58 Plymouth cars were a popular choice for late fifties police.
This was ABC-TV's 200th "Movie of the Week".
Having been inspired by The California Kid hot rod, the Rock Band ZZ Top built a similar design to be used on their Eliminator album. Band member Billy Gibbons brought in the original designer of the California kid hot rod, Pete Chapouris to do some consulting on their Eliminator hot rod, which was ultimately built by Don Thelen of Paramount.