Over the course of a century, the automobile became a deep-rooted part of the American psyche. The average American drives far further each year than the average European, and now there are almost the same number of cars in the US as there are Americans old enough to drive them. Although electric power, self-driving vehicles and smart highways may fundamentally alter the way we drive, the American love affair with the car looks set to continue for a long time yet.

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Now check out these astonishing images of America's earliest railroads

Vintage pictures reveal the amazing story of America's love affair with the car