Mark Boyd awoke last week to hear and see his 2018 Holden Captiva explode in flames outside his home.
The fire destroyed the uninsured car, melting the wreck on to the road.
Mr Boyd found himself not only without transport, but also facing the cost of removing the wreckage and an estimated $3500 bill from the Gore District Council for road repairs.
He said he spent the past week depressed and stressed before help arrived.
Gore district councillor Donna Bruce put the word out on social media about his plight and within hours his luck had changed.
An anonymous donor gave him a new car, an offer was made to tow away the wreck and the council waived the cleanup fees.
He said after a difficult week it meant the "absolute world" to him to see just how much someone’s fortunes could change when the community banded together.
"I’m pretty emotional really.
"I’ve had heaps of ups and downs [and] been a bit depressed to tell you the truth.
"Yesterday was the first day since [the alleged arson that] I had a smile on my face."
He said he was lost for words.
"When [the car] was dropped off this morning, I was just over the moon.
"I was like a stunned mullet to tell you the truth.
"Things like this don’t happen to someone like me, you know?" he said.
Cr Bruce said after reading about the arson in the Otago Daily Times, she thought it was a chance to help and do the right thing.
"So what I did was emailed [the council] and told them I was going to put up a [Facebook] post.
"I thought it was pretty stink of them to charge a pensioner, through no fault of his own, for his car being set on fire," she said.
After only a few hours, an anonymous donation of a 2002 Nissan X-Trail with a year of registration and a full tank of gas to replace the vehicle was offered.
Local panelbeater Ward & Sinclair removed the burnt-out car free of charge and the council waived the potential road repair fee for Mr Boyd.
Cr Bruce said it was a showing of immense community spirit and charity.
