The filming of the chase scene took more than 3 weeks and editing yielded 10:53 of actual footage. Most of the driving was done by McQueen's usual stunt double, Loren Janes. McQueen was only ever supposed to do the "safe" and close-up shots and drove less than 10% of the scene. How could he have tried and failed to make the turns if they only had one shot at the filming?
Two 390/325hp Mustangs were used and two 440/375hp Chargers replaced Ford supplied Galaxie sedans which were deemed too heavy to make the jumps without serious suspension damage. The Mustangs' engines, brakes and suspensions were heavily modified by racer Max Balchowsky and the Chargers were bone stock except for suspension and undercarriage mods. The editing screw-ups are funny now, but watching that chase on screen at the time absolutely blew me and my buddies away!
