There’s nothing quite like bringing an old beast back to life. The sound of a freshly rebuilt carburettor humming through a 1965 Falcon, the feel of a steel dashboard under your fingers, the smell of oil-soaked leather seats — restoring a classic car is part mechanical therapy, part historical preservation.

But if there’s one mistake we see again and again, it’s this: someone’s spent months lovingly working on a chassis from the 60s, only to bolt it all back together with whatever modern fasteners they found in a bargain bin at a chain hardware store. It’s like building a replica of the Eiffel Tower… using pool noodles.

So if you're tackling a restoration — whether it’s a Holden Monaro, a Mini Cooper, or a crusty old FJ that’s seen better decades — here’s why you need to match your fasteners to the era. Quality matters. Compatibility matters. And so does knowing your stainless from your zinc-plated.

Why Fastener Choice Matters in Classic Car Restorations

You wouldn't put a plastic steering wheel on a 1963 Corvette, would you? So why settle for low-grade hardware when reassembling the chassis or running gear?

Many classic cars were built in an era where overengineering was the norm — thick-gauge steel, imperial threads, and fasteners that were made to be taken apart and put back together ten times over. These older vehicles often used UNC (Unified National Coarse) or UNF (Unified National Fine) threads, and materials that were designed to handle the torque of a wrench and the punishment of rough roads.

Throw in a cheap, soft bolt from the 2020s and it's not just a mismatch — it can be a structural liability.

Low-grade fasteners can round off, snap under tension, or corrode in places you don’t want to dig into twice. We’ve seen more than a few restorations come in with sheared-off bolts in awkward spots — engine mounts, suspension linkages, even seatbelt anchor points. Not fun.

At Bolt-In Co Sunshine Coast, we stock a wide range of high tensile fasteners, including Grade 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 bolts that meet or exceed OEM standards. Whether you need imperial thread nuts and bolts, or automotive fasteners made to handle vibration and torque, we’ve got the hardware to do the job right.

Stainless Steel vs High Tensile: Know When (and Where) to Use Each

Ah, the eternal question — should I go stainless, or high tensile? Well, like most things in life, it depends.

Stainless steel fasteners — especially marine grade SS316 — are fantastic for resisting corrosion. They’re perfect for body panels, trim, interior brackets, and anything exposed to the elements. If you’re working on a coastal restoration (and let’s face it, everything on the Sunshine Coast is pretty close to the sea), stainless is a smart move.

But — and this is important — stainless isn’t always the best choice for high-load areas like suspension components, engine mounts, or brake assemblies. That’s where you want the strength of a Grade 12.9 high tensile fastener. These are engineered for load-bearing applications and are less likely to stretch, snap, or deform under stress.

In a nutshell:

• Use stainless where rust is the enemy (bodywork, interiors, exterior trim)
• Use high tensile where strength is king (chassis, suspension, drivetrain)
  
  

And if you're not sure? Ask us. Seriously. It's better than guessing and having a bonnet latch let go at 100km/h. Or, read this handy article.

Conclusion: Don’t Undervalue the Details

Restoring a classic car is about doing it right — not just making it look pretty. Using cheap modern fasteners might save a few bucks upfront, but in the long run, it can cost you safety, time, and that satisfying clunk when everything fits together just right.

At Bolt-In Co Sunshine Coast, we’ve spent over 50 years helping pros and passionate DIYers find the right fastener for the job. Whether you need SS316 marine-grade fastenersto fend off coastal rust, high tensile Grade 12.9 bolts to hold your chassis together, or stainless steel nuts and bolts that look the part and perform under pressure — we’ve got you covered.

Swing by our store in Maroochydore or check out our full range online. We ship Australia-wide, and we actually know what we’re talking about (unlike that bloke at the hardware chain who tried to sell you drywall anchors for your control arms).

Classic cars deserve classic care — and that includes the right nuts and bolts.