After five years of searching a car enthusiast has got his hands on a real prize.

Asif Awais who runs the Kebab House on Whalley Range, Blackburn wanted a Datsun 120Y so badly he was willing to do anything.

He finally spotted a 1979 registered one on sale in Birmingham and didn't have to think twice.

"I love BMW's but I had to get a Datsun. I missed out on an opportunity three years ago and this time I would have paid anything. They are very difficult to get hold of now.

"Remarkably it had only one owner and came with 70,000 miles on the clock."

"I think the reason it seemed so appealing was the fact my father had one when I was kid and nothing ever went wrong with it."

Since buying the car Asif has been offered almost three times what he paid.

"Within the Asian community it's a real classic. In the seventies and early eighties everyone who was anyone had a Datsun 120Y. That's probably why I get offered these silly prices.

"I had one Mercedes driver who simply wanted to take it for a run. When I've been driving it around the region it's almost as if it's a Ferrari with the kind of startled looks I get.

"I get stopped in the street by people I don't even know who want to take a look inside."

The car comes with all the classic Datsun 120Y fittings.

"It's got the lot. A push button tape, alloy wheels, a leather roof and even a rev counter. It might not have air conditioning but it's got a sun-roof."

"And the best thing. Well I drove it to Leicester the other week and I made the full journey on £10 petrol."