Willenhall Dad's dream come true

But the 42-year-old was not content with just any old classic car – he wanted a rare Bentley, the same as that owned by his father which he spent hours admiring as a young boy.

Now, after a 33-year quest, Anthony is the proud owner of a 1934 Derby Bentley.

He said: "When I was about nine, my dad bought one of these cars when we lived at Sneyd Farm, in Essington.

"He put the car under an old oak tree, and that's the picture I have etched in my mind, one of my childhood memories.

"I just fell in love with it straight away."

From that point on, handyman Anthony was determined to own one.

He placed an advert in newspapers all over the country and was overjoyed to be contacted earlier this year by a fellow classic car enthusiast in Essex.

Anthony said: "It was just sitting in his barn. He parked it there 40 years ago, and it's just sat there ever since.

"As I walked down his garage, all I could see was these great big headlights looking at me.

"That was it – I just had to have it."

Four months later, the Bentley was back on the road again – albeit on the back of a van – travelling to its new Black Country home.

Anthony said: "Apart from my children being born and the day I met my wife, the day the car arrived here was the best day of my life."

He is now devoting all his spare time to getting his new pride and joy, which once featured in the prestigious Olympia car show in 1934, up and running again.

But he has vowed not to overhaul the car completely.

He said: "She has been all over the world, and I want to leave her pretty much as she is.

"She's travelled the world already, and she'll travel the world again, with me."

But wife Vicky is not quite so impressed.

She said: "She thinks I'm mad. I think she was expecting a brand new car with the amount of money I spent on it.

"But she knows I love it, and she lets me get on with it."

Anthony is appealing for help in tracking down parts for the Derby Bentley.

Anyone who can help should call 07768 805693.