Two incendiary devices, later discovered to be firecrackers, had been stuck on the front and rear windshields of the vehicle, which belongs to Joan Hall’s grandson, Brad.

The Nissan 180SX’s front windscreen was smashed as the first explosive detonated outside the family’s Carkeek Street home about midnight.

“What I saw after the bang was a lot of blue smoke and sort of a white light coming from Brad’s car,” Mrs Hall said.

“Brad really collapsed when he saw it, he was a mess. The tears did flow for a little while, that’s only natural.

“He’s put a lot of money into the car. He couldn’t understand why anyone would want to do it.”

Mrs Hall said her grandson, 21, had been scared the second, unlit, device would go off.

The retail assistant also feared there could be another explosive strapped to the bottom of the car, which is up for sale.

A crime scene was set up and the street was blocked to traffic while police sent photographs of the device to the arson and explosives squad in Melbourne.

But Detective Sgt Revell, of Wodonga police, said the Melbourne specialists had advised local officers the explosives were firecrackers, not bombs, and were safe to be removed and destroyed.

Police believed the second device might have been added as a “further warning” because there didn’t appear to have been any attempt to light it.

The car was tested for fingerprints yesterday afternoon.

But the family wasn’t aware of anyone who held a grudge against them and police said the motive behind the attack was unclear.

But Mrs Hall refused to allow the ordeal to taint her Christmas.

“If Brad’s got a smile on his face ... I’ll be happy,” she said.