The driver had just gone through the automatic car wash, Dazzlers, in Mair Street when the incident occurred, about midnight. 

Police said the driver claimed his new model Holden Commodore took off when he put the transmission in drive. 

The car will now be tested to verify his version of events, although its condition might make a definitive conclusion hard to reach. 

While Holden has recalled several thousand VF Commodores, none was reported to have faults like that claimed by the driver. The car went through the brick wall and stopped in the shop of Dave Wright Militaria on Shepperd Street, surrounded by vintage camouflage gear and memorabilia.

The rear of the shop was badly damaged and some stock affected, but most of Mr Wright’s collection was out of the way of the car and debris. 

The car wash owner said only one similar incident had occurred in the past, when another driver clipped the same wall. 

Police said the car sat in the wall until after midday on Sunday. 

The man, believed to be aged in his 60s, was unhurt.