All of the "moonrunner" cars in the film actually had been used by moonshiners in the Asheville, NC area, where the film was shot. The moonshiners sold the cars to the film company in order to buy newer and faster cars.
Film debut of Christopher Mitchum. He was 13 years old and was paid $10.00. He was at the country store dance, the kid in the back playing the washboard.
Robert Mitchum recorded "The Ballad of Thunder Road," which entered the Billboard Hot 100 twice, in 1958 and 1962, and while it never peaked higher than number 62, it racked up 21 total weeks in the chart.
The role of Robin was offered to Elvis Presley, who was very interested, but the idea was nixed by Presley's manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker, who demanded more money for Presley's services than the producers were willing to spend.