That sequence was most definitely in the original version! I read so much material on it during the original release, including how they got that shot (which is all about perspective).
Gonna have to pull the 1977 FotoNovel out to double check, as it recreates the entire original cut of the film via frame blow-ups, but I don't recall the ship in the desert until the Special Edition. I know there was material originally shot for the film that was not used in the initial theatrical release because of concerns over pacing and running time, which Spielberg wanted to include (which is why there was a special edition, so he could go back and put some of that material back in). That would account for Rod having heard about the sequence back then, even if it was not used until later.