"Why so many cars?"

In the early years, somewhat of a hobby and somewhat of a business. Plus, over the years people will discover you're a "Volvo nut" and give 'm to you. A 142S cost me $25, I fixed it, sold it for $500, it was traded back to me for a stereo ($0), I sold it again for $350.

"Did the New England rust eat all of them, or were there other failures..."

All were sold or died of rust. Or I still own 'em -- some are dying in my yard at this moment. One was a "parts gift," and provided welcome additions to my parts heap.

(BTW -- I forgot to include the various Volvos that my folks and brother owned, 'cause they're not strictly mine.)

"...got any pictures of the 'yard?'..."

You can see seven of my current eight in this one pix. If you look over the roof of the tan 245 you can see the back of another '82 245, hiding behind the trees. And behind the tan wagon, adjacent to the gray 245, you can see two P1800 ESs, one wrapped in a moss-coated green canvas car cover. The other is naturally fungus-green. The wagon to the immediate right (at my elbow) is an '82 245T in the garage. Wife's 740 stays outdoors.

Four of these cars are registered.