Jim Dunne, the photojournalist who perfected the art of photographing cars automakers want to keep secret — andthe man whodelighted millions ofenthusiasts with early looks at hot new vehicles — died at his Detroit-area homeMonday after an illness. He was 87.
Dunne's career stretched from the muscle car era to the dawn of autonomous vehicles. He could recount tales of dressing like a young engineer to sneak into design centers for black and white snapshots in the 1960s one minute, then discussusing the latest electronic gear for long-distance shots from a hill overlooking a 21st-Century test track the next.
He lived many roles: father, Army reconnaissance and intelligence sergeant,curmudgeon, avid tennis player, role model, palm reader and mentor.
Professionally, he was what’s called a “spy photographer,” a term for the journalists who knew where to get photos of upcoming vehicles while they were still secret, and how to get details about their performance and features.
“Dunne virtually invented the art and small business of automotive spy photography,” according to a remembrance by Mark Vaughn of Autoweek, which was published in Automotive News. “Dunne … was one of the few people to make abona fide livingtaking spy shots of cars.”
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If you’ve ever seen a photo of a car wrapped in a zebra print, disguised by boxy panels or heavy shrouding, you’ve seen a spy photo. They’relifeblood to the automotive press. For decades, Jim Dunne was a leader of a small global elite group of photographers who hauntedthe remote spots where automakers test new vehicles and technologies: Death Valley in July, snow fields in January, high-security proving grounds anywhere, anytime.
His first spy shot was a restyled Chevrolet Corvair about 40 years ago.
"I borrowed my sister-in-law's camera," he said. "I sent the picture to my magazine, and the editor told me, ‘Jim, that photo was electrifying. Send as many more as you can get.'
"How much more validation do you need?"Dunnesaid. "I was raising seven children, and the money put food on the table."
He was a fierce competitor but beloved by those with whom he sparred for photos and news.
“He was our connective tissue,” said Michelle Krebs, Autotrader executive analyst, veteran journalist and a longtime friend of Dunne's. “He helped new journalists learn the ropes, brought them into the fold, and kept people in touch with meals where everyone got together.
“At the end of every lunch, he’d lean back, survey the group and say, ‘This is so great. I love you guys.’
“He was a great father and grandfather,” Krebs said. “I always remembered one piece of advice he gave me: Make sure your children see the world.”
From Detroit to Death Valley
A native Detroiter, Dunne loved quaint and obscure local eateries like original Buddy’s Pizza on East 6Mile to the Dakota Inn Rathskeller on John R, site of the annual Predictions Lunch, a December tradition Dunne helped create about 50 years ago at which journalists and communicators make raucous — and occasionally accurate— predictions about news to come in the next year. The first rule of Predictions Lunch is that you don’t talk about Predictions Lunch and for five decades it’s been a place where bad puns are appreciated as much as deep insights.
Dunne appreciated talent as much as he did a hole in the wall with a good menu. He helped many journalists begin their careers.
He hired Jack Keebler at Popular Science magazine in 1982. Years later, when Jack and his wife, Wendy, moved to Detroit, Jim took them house-hunting in a Dearborn neighborhood of lovely brick houses and good schools.
“There was one house he really seemed to like,” Jack told me. “It was located near the fence of a Ford proving ground. After we toured the house, he said, ‘Let me show you the garage.’ ” The outbuilding was nothing special, dusty, full of cobwebs and stray possessions. Then Dunne led Keebler up the stairs, to the back of the attic and revealed a small window with a perfect view of Ford’s top-secret test track.
“Jim lived the role of spy photographer, always looking for an edge,” Keebler said. “He was going to find us a house, but he was also going to find himself a warm, dry place to shoot spy photos.” The Keeblers ended up buying a smaller house nearby. They remained among Jim’s best friends.
Dunne eventually ended up owning a piece of property that was actually inside Chrysler’s Arizona proving grounds, a spy photographer’s dream. It gave him a literal inside track on the automaker’s new vehicles.
He met young spy photographer Brenda Priddy near the fence ringing GM’s Arizona proving ground.They became friendly competitors, occasionally working together, always pleased when their paths crossed.
“My children grew up knowing Jim, and we all shared countless dinners with him while we were in Death Valley,” Priddy recalled. “The only rule that I had was, if and when he asks you questions about the test cars, locations, etc., never answer him! Even at 5 years old, my son became an expert at avoiding his interrogations!
“I shouldn’t feel sad. Jim had a long life filled with success, happiness, love, many good friends, and until recently, good health. But even as we celebrate his life, my heart is breaking. And so are so many others.”
Jim Dunne was born Dec. 13, 1931, in Detroit. After serving in the Army, he got an engineering degree from the University of Detroit. His career as an auto writer and spy photographer included Popular Science, Popular Mechanics and countless photos and descriptions of new vehicles in newspapers, magazines and online.
Dunne is survived by five daughters, two sons and 12 grandchildren.
Contact Mark Phelan at 313-222-6731 ormmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter.
