12 | SEPTEMBER 15 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

R

ecently, the JN has featured stories 
related to car culture in Detroit. 
It is an ethos that has permeated 
the Motor City for over a century. Simply 
stated, Detroiters love their cars and 
everything that goes along 
with them.
We’ve written about the “Car 
Guy’s Car Guy,” automotive 
journal editor Eddie Alterman, 
and about car cruising 
including the Woodward 
Dream Cruise. But, with the 
North American International 
Auto Show beginning Sept. 17 
in Detroit, we thought there was one more 

story to be written on the topic. What about 
the intimate relationship — love affair, 
maybe? — between our readers and their 
special cars? These are cars that go beyond 
daily transportation or taking the kids to 
soccer practice. Here are some examples.

LOVE ON WHEELS
Steve and Dianne Lee Chait and son Mike 
live in West Bloomfield have another tale of 
“love on wheels.” 
Steve and Dianne have been married 
for 48 years and have two special cars: 
a 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 
Convertible and a 1994 Jaguar XJS 

Members of Detroit’s Jewish community share the 
Members of Detroit’s Jewish community share the 
special vehicles in their lives.
special vehicles in their lives.
For the Love of Cars

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

