Meet Mr McKay

Posted by Sidonie (Sydney, Australia) on 14 March 2007 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

Mr McKay has a beautiful, soft Canadian accent and the manners to match.
He's the fittest 80 year old you're likely to meet. He settled in Australia 40 years ago, and has restored many old vehicles.

He's planning another cycling trip through Europe.

He hates motorbikes.

This little beauty - one of many he's brought back to life - is a 1930 two-seater T-model Ford.

At the Historic Cars Exhibition,
Canberra Day, March 11, 2007.

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Comments (13)

Bronnie from Christchurch, New Zealand

Now he looks like he could tell a story or two!! Love the old car - but I would beg to differ from his position on motorcycles. They are an amazing way to travel - and especially the old ones. Looking forward to shot 100 on here!!

14 Mar 2007 7:00am

@Bronnie: Thanks Bronnie - I might just bore everyone to tears if I post more than six!

Stu from Kyoto, Japan

Respect to the man! I really admire people who can build/restore things like this, and that particular car is an absolute beauty! Can't believe he's older than it! - he does, as you say, look most spritely.

14 Mar 2007 9:18am

@Stu: The sense of adventure and confidence in getting the job done in many people his age just astounds me. Imagine cycling through Europe when you're 80!

M.E. from Encino, United States

RECOGNIZE! I agree with Stu, a man who can rebuild things is admirable. Same as your pictures - they ARE admirable. :)

14 Mar 2007 11:40am

@M.E.: Most humbly appreciated M.E.!

Fred from Easton PA, United States

It has a Rumble seat !
They should bring that feature back for sports cars so people wouldn't have to stuff the kids in the trunk .
Great portrait Sid, and a fine description to boot !

14 Mar 2007 4:14pm

@Fred: ... to boot - THE boot - yes - I've always called it a dickey seat - where does "rumble" come from?

Vahid from Bø, Norway

C'est magnifique! ;-)

14 Mar 2007 6:30pm

@Vahid: Well thank you Vahid! I appreciate le Francais - you've many talents!

Sylvia from Milano, Italy

Lovely portrait with shadows falling on his face, and interesting commentary.

I agree, bring back Rumble Seats. Except when an SUV is tailgating you....

14 Mar 2007 7:17pm

@Sylvia: Thank you Sylvia - there are real problems with light and shade in this shot. I've never heard it called 'rumble' before - dickey seat is what we've called them here - thanks for bringing this to my attention!

Jen from Jessup, United States

He's 80? No way!
What a wonderful story and portrait! Great shot!

14 Mar 2007 10:39pm

@Jen: Yes, 80! Just by coincidence I saw him entering the local supermarket the day before and thought "That man must be 80, look how fit he is!" and the very next day I spotted him again leaning on this car at the Exhibition! He's not a person you forget.Thanks for the lovely comment Jen!

Fred from Easton PA, United States

http://www.answers.com/topic/rumble-seat

Well I wrote out this long explanation out about my theories of why our version is called a rumble seat , and yours a dickey. It was quite long winded as some of my post can be, but when I went to click the spell check button on my browser everything went Poof as I mistakenly missed and went to my e-mail account !

Don't you hate when that happens ?

15 Mar 2007 4:41am

@Fred: Fred, how can I thank you? It's sheer laziness on my part not to do a search BEFORE asking questions! I checked out your links - to me the wording of the definitions may differ, but the seat itself looks the same no matter what you call it - dickey, dickie, rumble etc - "mother-in-law seat" is my favorite! Thank you for spending all this time and effort, I'll return the favor anytime.

Herbert from Meerkerk, Netherlands

Interesting guy this 80 year old....inspiring for others!

15 Mar 2007 7:19am

@Herbert: Indeed! I forgot to ask him the secret ingedient in his diet!

Fred from Easton PA, United States

Bah, no need for thanks..can't you tell I enjoy the banter ? haha
Anyway even though I did find the definitions they didn't seem to cover the origin of the work used to describe these seats. I was thinking that maybe since when these were in use most roads at the time were either just dirt or composed brick which would in-turn cause quite the rumble of a ride back there.

And as for the term dicky seat, well maybe they never let Richard ride shotgun !
( let me know if I have to explain that as some of the phrases from here in the U.S. might not be the same in your area /grin )

15 Mar 2007 2:30pm

@Fred: Ah, well now I'll do the search on the etymology of "dicky" and get back to you Fred. What I like best of the old cars was the running board - is that what you call it too? The Chev in tomorrow's post has a metal protector plate for the driver to step on. Now that's style - and I presume by "riding shotgun" you mean standing on the running board while vehicle is in motion!
(Blah bla - don't worry, I'll do a search on all this ...) Thanks Fred once again!

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

A soft Canadian accent: wonder what that's like? :0 Anyway, He's certainly something to aspire to. I have always looked forward to being a fit old man. Hope I make it!

15 Mar 2007 9:09pm

@Damon Schreiber: Ah ha! I was wondering how long it would take to get the attention of Canada! Yes, to my ear it's a soft and measured accent - a pleasure to listen to. Thanks for the visit Damon - cycle often, indulge yourself with your hobbies, and you'll make it!