New York writer Warren Kalbacker fought rush-hour traffic in his nine year-old Pinto to meet with John De Lorean in his Park Avenue penthouse office. "It looked like a marble, chrome and glass cathedral," Kalbacker told us later. "De Lorean comes across like a blasphemer in the midst of automotive orthodoxy. He also refers to taking a leak as a pit stop." De Lorean's car, which will cost in the $25,000 range, is being introduced this spring.

Q 1

PLAYBOY: You're bringing out an automobile with your own name on it. Isn't that the dream of every true car lover?

John De Lorean: For years, I dreamed that someday I'd get the opportunity to build my own car. I've thought about this project for 10 or 12 years. It's the ultimate extension of my background as an engineer. While I was working for General Motors--first as an engineer and later as a manager--I accumulated an inventory of ideas that I wanted to incorporate into one car, but, of course, I couldn't for economic and other reasons. So this car is a fulfillment for me.

Q 2

PLAYBOY: Is there room in this energy-conscious world for a new dream car?

John De Lorean: Driving for fun is always going to be something that people will do. In spite of all the oil-price increases and everything else that's happened to the automobile industry, cars like BMW and Mercedes have emerged unscathed because they're sold to people who love cars and who love to drive. In fact, BMW is still building new plants, while other companies are closing them down.

Q 3

PLAYBOY: Just a few years ago, you were in line for the top spot at General Motors. Wasn't it hard to leave for such a long-shot venture?

John De Lorean: Sure. They throw so much money at you, you can't stand it. But it wasn't really satisfying for me. I watched how the president of G.M. squirmed under pressure himself, how he was unable to accomplish things he wanted to do, and I decided I wouldn't want his job--no matter what. I had quite a few years left in my career and I didn't want to wind up like that. And I wanted to start this car project.

Q 4

PLAYBOY: What did your wife, fashion model Cristina Ferrare, think of your walking away from G.M.?

John De Lorean: We talked and I told her I wanted out. I said I wanted to start this car project and that my income would probably go down to nothing. She told me that if I had to do it, then go ahead and do it. She told me not to worry about the family. And for a certain amount of time, she actually supported us.

Q 5

PLAYBOY: Was it a hand-to-mouth existence during that period?

John De Lorean: Well, Cristina was making between $300,000 and $350,000 a year.