Door, Boot & Ignition Keys & Barrel Locks

Venetian Blinds Classic Car Venetian Blinds for Style, Shade & Interior Protection Venetian blinds are a popular accessory for classic cars, combining a distinctive period-style appearance with practical shade for the vehicle interior. Fitted inside the rear or side windows, they are a great addition for restorations, daily-driven classics and vehicles where you want to recreate that traditional Australian motoring look. At Retro Spares, we supply a wide range of Venetian blinds for classic cars , with applications available for many popular Holden, Ford and other classic vehicle models. What Do Car Venetian Blinds Do? Automotive Venetian blinds, sometimes referred to as Venetian shades or auto shades , are designed to sit inside the vehicle against the rear or side windows. Their angled slats provide shade while still allowing visibility through the window. Venetian blinds can help: Reduce direct sunlight entering the vehicle Provide additional shade for the rear interior Help protect seats, trims and parcel shelves from direct sun exposure Add a classic, period-style appearance Allow rearward visibility through the angled slats They are particularly popular with owners wanting to add a traditional finishing touch to their classic car. Rear Window Venetian Blinds Rear window Venetian blinds are fitted internally against the rear windscreen and are one of the most recognisable styles of classic car window shades. Unlike window tint or an external shade, the Venetian sits inside the vehicle and uses horizontal slats to provide shade without completely covering the rear window. They can be a great addition to both restored and regularly driven classic vehicles. Side Window Venetian Blinds For selected vehicles, side window Venetian blinds are also available. These are designed to provide the same traditional Venetian appearance and shade for side or cargo-area windows. Depending on the vehicle, side Venetians can be fitted on their own or combined with a rear Venetian to create a more complete look. Venetian Blinds for Classic Cars Venetian blinds became a familiar sight in many Australian cars and continue to be popular with classic car enthusiasts today. They suit a variety of vehicles and build styles, including: Factory-style restorations Original classic cars Period-inspired builds Weekend cruisers Daily-driven classics Vehicle-specific applications help the Venetian follow the shape and dimensions of the window rather than relying on a generic universal fit. Black or White Venetian Blinds Choosing the right colour can make a noticeable difference to the finished appearance of your vehicle. Retro Spares Venetian blinds are available in black or white for selected applications. White Venetian blinds provide the traditional period-style appearance commonly associated with classic Australian vehicles. Black Venetian blinds provide an alternative that can blend well with darker interiors, window surrounds and exterior colour schemes. The best option comes down to the look of your vehicle and the style you're trying to achieve. How Are Venetian Blinds Fitted? Automotive Venetian blinds are installed inside the vehicle , rather than on the exterior of the glass. For many applications, the Venetian can be fitted between the window rubber and the glass , helping secure the blind neatly in position without requiring major modifications to the vehicle. Fitment can vary depending on the vehicle and Venetian design, so it's important to select the correct blind for your specific make and model. Always check the individual product listing for vehicle compatibility and installation information before ordering. Do Venetian Blinds Block Rear Visibility? Venetian blinds are designed with angled horizontal slats that provide shade while still allowing the driver to see through the rear window. Visibility can vary depending on the vehicle, viewing angle and Venetian design, so correct installation is important. A Classic Addition to Your Interior A Venetian blind is a simple way to add both shade and period-inspired styling to a classic car. Whether you're finishing a full restoration, refreshing an existing classic or simply looking for an accessory that suits the era of your vehicle, a vehicle-specific Venetian can add a distinctive finishing touch while providing practical shade for the interior. Retro Spares supplies rear and side window Venetian blinds for a wide range of classic vehicles , with black and white options available for selected applications. Browse the range online or contact the Retro Spares team if you need help finding the correct Venetian blind for your vehicle.

Step-By-Step Guide for Installing Car Carpet or Vinyl Flooring Installing new carpet or vinyl is one of the best ways to freshen up the interior of your classic car. Whether you're restoring a Holden, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, or another classic vehicle, proper installation helps achieve the best fit, finish, and long-term durability. This guide covers the basic steps for fitting moulded carpet or vinyl flooring into your vehicle.

Rubber Brake Hoses What They Do, Their Purpose, and When to Upgrade Brake hoses are one of the most critical safety components on any vehicle. Whether you're working on a classic car, daily driver, or performance build, your brake hoses transfer hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to your brakes. At Retro Spares, we supply and manufacture rubber and stainless braided brake hoses to suit a wide range of vehicles, all built to meet strict Australian and international safety standards. What Are Rubber Brake Hoses? Rubber brake hoses are the traditional option fitted to most vehicles from factory. Purpose of Rubber Brake Hoses Designed for standard driving conditions Provide the flexibility needed for basic suspension movement Suitable for stock vehicles and everyday use Common in older vehicles and original factory setups Rubber hoses were built for comfort and cost-effective manufacturing, making them ideal for general use rather than high-demand braking situations. How Long Do Rubber Brake Hoses Last? Rubber brake hoses have a limited reliable lifespan. Typical lifespan: around 6 years Rubber naturally breaks down over time Can become hard, brittle, or internally restricted Like arteries in the human body, they may still function under normal conditions, but issues often show when placed under stress. Signs Your Brake Hoses Need Replacing Brake hoses don’t always fail without warning. Look out for these common signs: Cracks in the outer skin , especially when the hose is bent Blisters or bubbles forming on the hose surface Chafe marks from the hose rubbing against components Wet marks or fluid residue indicating a leak starting Obvious bulging or expansion under pressure Loose mounts or twisted hoses affecting proper routing If you notice any of the above, the hose should be replaced immediately. Troubleshooting Brake Hose Problems Brake hose issues don’t always show visually. Sometimes the problem shows up in how the car behaves. Low or Spongy Brake Pedal Usually linked to a hose that is old, soft, or weakened, allowing it to expand under pressure instead of holding firm. Pulling to One Side When Braking Often caused by one front hose being blocked or restricted , resulting in uneven braking force. Brake Drag A restricted hose can prevent brake fluid from returning properly, causing the brakes to stay partially applied. Intermittent Brake Problems Can be caused by an internal fracture inside the hose , creating a one-way check valve effect. This allows fluid through in one direction but restricts it coming back. Why Old Brake Hoses Are a Risk Under heavy braking, your system is pushed to its limits. Brake systems can reach around 1500 PSI during an emergency stop Rubber hoses can expand under pressure This expansion can lead to a soft or delayed pedal feel Increased risk of failure when it matters most For restorations or aging vehicles, replacing old rubber hoses is essential. Stainless Braided Brake Hoses (Performance & Control) Stainless braided brake hoses are designed for higher performance applications and improved braking control. Purpose of Stainless Braided Brake Hoses Built to handle high-pressure braking systems Designed for performance driving and heavy braking loads Maintain consistent brake pressure under stress Reduce expansion for a firmer, more immediate pedal feel Ideal for upgraded brakes, modified vehicles, and demanding conditions They are commonly used where braking performance, response, and reliability are critical. Choosing the Right Hose for Your Application Rather than just comparing materials, it comes down to how the vehicle is used. Rubber Brake Hoses are suited for: Standard, factory-style vehicles Everyday driving conditions Restorations keeping original specifications Stainless Braided Brake Hoses are suited for: Performance builds Vehicles with upgraded braking systems Towing, heavy loads, or repeated hard braking Drivers wanting a more responsive brake feel Manufactured to Australian Standards All brake hoses supplied and manufactured by Retro Spares meet strict compliance requirements: ADR42/04 compliant FMVSS106 compliant Pressure tested to 3000 PSI Tested to twice the maximum operating pressure Every hose is built and tested to ensure safety under real-world conditions. More Than Just Brake Hoses Using an industry-leading BrakeQuip manufacturing system, we can produce a wide range of hoses. Available Hose Types Brake Hoses Rubber or stainless braided Clutch Hoses Rubber or stainless braided Turbo Oil Feed Hoses Braided only Custom Hoses Made for modified vehicles, conversions, and upgrades Original samples may be required to reuse existing fittings All hoses are built to the same ADR-compliant, 3000 PSI tested standard. What Vehicles Can We Make Hoses For? The BrakeQuip system allows us to manufacture hoses for: Cars (classic and modern) Motorbikes Go-karts Trucks Forklifts Industrial machinery If it runs a hydraulic system, we can likely make a hose for it. Custom Brake Hose Solutions Working on a modified or custom setup? We can: Manufacture hoses to correct length and routing Reuse existing fittings where required Create hoses for engine swaps, brake upgrades, or conversions Offer fast local turnaround Why Brake Hose Choice Matters Brake hoses directly affect how your vehicle stops. The right hose improves brake feel and control Ensures consistent performance under pressure Plays a critical role in overall vehicle safety Choosing the Right Brake Hose Both rubber and stainless braided brake hoses are designed for different applications and driving conditions. Rubber brake hoses are commonly used in standard factory-style vehicles and everyday driving, while stainless braided brake hoses are often selected for vehicles requiring more consistent braking response under heavier or more demanding conditions. Choosing the correct hose for your vehicle helps maintain proper brake performance, reliability, and safety. If you need assistance selecting the right brake hose for your vehicle or project, contact the team at Retro Spares .