Weird post, but what the hell. I've always loved Volvos, but got re-acquainted with that love--okay, lust--after buying my brand new 17 year-old 850. I go out once or twice a week and Armor All the thing. I look at it out the window at work. I park it in the driveway nose out, so it appears to be ready to pounce when I'm ready to drive.
I look for other Volvos on the way to work, and am amazed how few I see in San Antonio. My 35-mile commute rarely reveals more than 10 or 12. I've been to both of San Antonio's Pick-n-Pull auto graveyards and looked at all the Volvos, noting the ones I could pull parts from if I need to. I check out craigslist almost every day as if I could afford to buy another. I look at Brickboard's Gallery, ogling with amusement...and longing...all the Volvos other have owned and loved.
So I just wonder if this kind of behavior is anywhere normal...or just plain whack.

Vtexan - Do you have any Volvo pins? A Volvo tie or shirt? Badges for most models? An antique driver? An 1800 basket case? A volvo sign that lights up? ...

If not - you are just a beginner!
--
'96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '12 XC70, the first three are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks

Clearly, I'm an amateur!
Although I'm willing to bet you don't have a picture this bizarre of you and your Volvo. I took this almost 40 years ago(!), and it's me with my first Volvo, a '58 Duett. I'm on its hood in a bizarre pose and my hippie brother is over my shoulder. Oddly, it's a double exposure with the next photo we took, which was of a tarantula between my brother's shoes. The double exposure puts that tarantula right on my shoulder.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jadinamo/2793809935/sizes/o/in/photostream/

I drive a '96 850 wagon, and people here in Kansas City don't get it, either. New Volvos around here can be a status symbol--you see them in the driveways of really nice houses, but those are sedans and SUVs. Those people aren't interested in a mid-90s Volvo. My more blue-collar friends can't understand how I'm not lusting after their Chebbies and Ferds. The only people who seem to understand are sensible middle-class suburbanites, but their appreciation only goes so far as "it's a nice, reliable grocery go-getter." I still hold that my Volvo is sexy!

...there is a mysterious 850 wagon I've seen around once or twice--blacked out paint, blacked out windows, all logos removed and an aftermarket grill. It gives me goosebumps. I've never met the owner. In my fantasies, it's a TR-5.

The cars are family members and hard to say good bye to.

Whammytap, this will help your goosbump fix:

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Volvo_200_V-8.html

Nice to hear I'm not the only one who fixates a little more than those with standard Chevys and Fords.

Normal, for people who like to drive cars and keep them running.
--
My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Well put.

What I find is that the more work I do on the car, the more it grows on me.
First was my oldest daughter's '01 S40 then the middle daughter's '95 854T.
FWD Volvos never sparked any interest in me. But I have to admit that over time I have grown to like these models as well - more so the 854T which I never enjoyed working on when my sister bought it new. Strange.

I have a hard time explaining it, but these cars seem to grow a soul with age.
--
"Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig

"I have a hard time explaining it, but these cars seem to grow a soul with age."

Yes, and part of that might be that their virtues become evident the more time you spend with them. I had a 240 for 10 years and someday I might buy another one, but I want my 855 or an early V70 as my daily driver. They are more fun to drive...:)

I've had six of them through the years. Of course, the '58 Duett was hard to beat. This 244 was pretty great (see URL). For some reason a previous owner had put glass packs on the snappy little thing, so despite the fact that it was a Volvo it sounded kinda like a hot car.
But my current 850 sure has me happy right now.

"...This 244 was pretty great..."

Another trait of hopeless brick heads is to get all technical about a car's description. As far as your photo goes, try 242 vs 244 - and a nice looking one at that. (See what I mean?)

So you're saying it was a 242 and not a 244? I may have owned 6 Volvos, but I sure don't claim expertise.

Yes, a 242 (two door).
--
"Differences of opinions should be tolerated, but not if they're too different' - Sharon Craig

"Lust" might be extreme but I understand. I had a beautiful & I do mean "beautiful" 81 242 for a year or so. I traded cars with my wife for the wkend & she hit a deer one night. The car performed as engineered so my wife was fine tho` shaken up. The front end of the car was, of course, totalled. I still think of that 242 with a "certain fondness".
We bought a 95 855T which was indeed a wonderful car & coming from a 83 244 was a big leap. For the first few months we used to keep looking back at the wagon after parking it & saying to one another"Can you believe that fabulous car is ours???". It was fast, comfortable & a great looking car! It`s now gone to a new home & replaced by a XC70 which also is a terrific car. Just got back from a long trip to Santa Fe & it ran like a charm!
LOve Volvo`s!!
Rich

DOH! (forehead being slapped) I forgot Volvo has specific reasons for its numbering schemes.

Thought I'd posted the URL, but I guess not: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jadinamo/2726510446/sizes/l/in/photostream/