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00:01 Edward: It's a continuous sincere affectionate,
and yes, ***, expression of love.
00:10 COMM: Over the last 45 years, Edward Smith
has had nearly 1000 lovers, but only one has been a woman. The rest have been cars.
00:20 The 63-year-old from Yelm, Washington, is
a self-confessed mechaphile, meaning he is sexually attracted to machines.
00:28 He says he's conquest have included Mustangs,
Jaguars, even TV helicopter Airwolf.
00:35 Edward: Some guys look at *** and bums of
beautiful women and I look at this and see what they might feel.
00:45 I first developed an attraction to cars and
helicopters in about 1965. Every kid that age awakens to their libidinal energy and
it's part of life, so with me it was intense and certainly different, to say the least.
01:10 COMM: After losing his virginity to a neighbours
Volkswagen Beetle, Edward went on to sleep with hundreds of vehicles, but now Edward
says his wild days are over and he's ready to commit to his long-term lover, Vanilla
- a secondhand VW Beetle he bought 30 years ago.
01:27 Edward: When I hold Vanilla in my arms, there's
a powerful energy that comes from her in response to that and if anything would ever happen
to her I would be more that heartbroken.
01:40 COMM: Edward also keeps two other lovers,
a 1973 Opel GT called Cinnamon and a 1973 Ford Ranger called Splash, but Vanilla is
his number one. He even takes them on romantic dates.
01:57 Edward: Well Vanilla, how you doing? I love
you, Vanilla.
02:02 COMM: There has been little scientific study
into mechaphilia, but Edward claims to share his passion with over 500 other enthusiasts
on an online forum.
02:12 Despite Edward's alternative lifestyle, he's
made many friends, including long-term neighbour, Sarah.
02:18 Sarah: He's a wonderful soul, he's been a
great neighbour to me and if he's found something that makes him happy, then that makes me happy.
02:27 COMM: After years of experimenting, Edward
says he is relieved to have finally found a solid relationship he has craved for so
long .
02:35 Edward: There's something about Vanilla that
I can't fully express on an emotional level, except that it's very powerful, very sincere.
I'm highly private about it, but still never ever ashamed. I love her and would never want
anything to happen to her.
02:53 COMM: And while Edward admits the Porch's
and attack helicopters will always ignite his old urges, he is more than happy to be
settling down with Vanilla.