[2] Dunne retired, as the profession evaporated, gradually overtaken by the proliferation of smartphone cameras, shifting automotive spy work from professionals to amateur photographers everywhere.
After graduating from Catholic Central High School in Detroit,[7] Dunne studied at Wayne State University,[8] receiving a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management.
Dunne died at age 87 at his residence in Grosse Pointe Park on August 19, 2019[7] from a rare and aggressive form of cancer that failed to respond to treatment.
"[10] As a journalist, he upheld basic professional standards and was known for his insistent, direct questioning in the face of evasive, less than straightforward responses from industry executives.
[13] Dunne famously once infiltrated an Oldsmobile Design studio, and on taking photos with his Minox camera, noticed he was interrupting an Olds executive, nearly in flagrante in the car with a secretary.
The Renault executives noted “That’s Jim Dunne.”[12] Security offices around Detroit's manufacturing and testing sites carried "WANTED" posters of Dunne.
[2] He was ultimately sued numerous times, including for his expose of dubious devices marketed to offer dramatic fuel savings,[3] and on one occasion he was investigated for stealing proprietary photographs.