AutoInformed

In some circles he was considered an outlaw, but as a hired gun he took the best spy shot I ever saw. Jim Dunne sitting in the driver’s seat of what was likely his deliberately bland white Chevy Caprice took a photo off of his outside mirror of a line of cars undergoing testing on a public road. In focus in the lead car was Dave Hill driving, then chief engineer of the Corvette, followed by a line of prototype Corvettes. (I hope this photo re-emerges as people remember his passing yesterday.)

It had it all – Detroit Royalty surprised, hot cars, and a globally saleable glamour shot. Yes, Jim Dunne had it – he was the sine qua non of an entire category of journalism – automotive spy photography.

Here’s typical Dunne back in 2013 in AutoInformed – Pony Car Wars – 2015 Mustang Mule Posted on 30 April 2013 by Jim Dunne:

Though covered to the extreme, the photo does show some of Mustang’s plans for the 2015 model.

 “It takes from two to four years to develop a completely new car for production, and automakers like to pretend they can do it faster than others can. The process takes place in steps, with early prototypes using selected future-car chassis parts and body sections in current model mules. Later, as full body metal is developed and approved, finished cars – fully disguised by paint patterns or canvas – appear for testing. Continue reading →