Consequently, the term blue book has become synonymous with vehicle valuation guides. The kelley blue book is the most popular usedcar buying guide. Search any vehicle history using our free vin check and free vehicle history. Kelley was completely out of the vehicle sales business by 1962he devoted himself fulltime to his blue book publication. Typically, each volume includes extensive description and statistics on virtually all aspects of life in wisconsin, including major. How can i determine a cars bluebook value as of august. Since those early beginnings, kelley blue book has become the gotochoice among both dealers and. Used car values, price guide and tradein estimator. The term blue book is a generic term that has been used for years to describe a periodically issued price list. They provide detailed information about features, safety statistics, and histories.
Good thing kelley blue book has over 90 years of experience with used car pricing and weve done the analysis for you. History of kelley blue book founded by les kelley in 1918, the kelley car companys business model was to buy old cars and resell the cars for a profit. Kelley blue book values blue book values kbb vs nadaguides. Check any vin its free free vehicle history and vin check. Allen hynek aidan gillen and captain michael quinn michael malarkey must delve further down the ufo. The new history channel tv show project blue book is based on the true story of j. For over 90 years, kelley blue book has been the trusted resource for used car values, helping car owners understand what their used car is worth. In time, the company became the most renowned car dealing organization. When buying a used car, its usually hard to know what a fair price is. The company is owned by the cox automotive subsidiary of cox enterprises. The origins of kelley blue book date back more than eighty years, when a young car salesman from california, les kelley, began compiling a list of car prices as a tool for helping him evaluate vehicle value. Kelley blue book can help you find the right car today. While our vehicle value guides are often referred to as the nada blue book, we are not affiliated with kelley blue book.
They can also help you determine the fair price for any used car given its mileage and condition. In this article, well explore kelleys history, show you how to use its price guides and web site, and explain where it gets pricing information. Kelleys proprietary algorithm analyzes pricing data along with historical trends, current. The best cars to buy for 2020, according to kelley blue book. Les kelley passed away in 1990, succeeded by three generations of his family. Its reputation was enhanced by the innovative approach in the used car business. Kelley blue book used car guide by kelley blue book co, 2011, kelley blue book, distributed to the book trade by nbn edition, in english januarymarch 2011, 85th anniversary ed. As the cold war deepens and the new political threats loom for project blue book, dr. Kelley blue book used car guide, julydecember 2001 by kelley blue book, kelley blue book 1 edition first published in 2001 not in library. In 1926, les kelley created the signature kelley blue book.
The term dates back to the 15th century, when large blue velvetcovered books were used for recordkeeping by the parliament of england. The name itself originates from an old registry which lists those of high society and was named the blue book. Select a vehicle, find a dealer, get a free price quote. The online version of the blue book is an easily navigable tool that allows you to check used car values or new car pricing. Kelley blue book used car guide 2011 edition open library. Blue book is a guidebook that compiles and quotes prices for new and used automobiles and other vehicles of all makes, models and types. The last major change in publication format came in 1995, when. Start your car search and go direct to, the trusted resource. Kelley blue book divides the condition of used vehicles into four grades.
Every day, the line of cars waiting to be appraised winds around the. The bastrop advertiser the fairfield echo the florida pennysaver. You have to consider not just the type of vehicle, but the vehicle condition, mileage and options. Consumer edition, vol 12, januaryjune, 2004 an essential resource for anyone looking to buy, sell, or trade in a used car, this portable volume provides the general public with information that was originally restricted to the automotive industry. Proudly serving buyers and sellers of various vehicle types, both companies calculate and publish vehicle values based on proprietary methods. Virtually synonymous with car research and shopping, kelley blue book is the. His selected blue seal automobiles reflect the earliest version of the kelley blue book. This blue book value price can be used as your guidance for the reasonable market price for used cars with that make, model, year and option. How kelley blue book works howstuffworks auto howstuffworks. A blue book or bluebook is an almanac, buyers guide or other compilation of statistics and information. In 1993, the blue book was finally released as a consumer guide. In 2006, more than three million used and certified vehicles were sold in the united states displaying kelley blue book window stickers. Kelleys proprietary algorithm analyzes pricing data along with historical trends, current economic conditions, industry developments, time of year, and location to determine kelley blue book. The kelley blue bookand its equally popular web siteis one of the most trusted guides for automobile pricing, used by those who are buying or selling cars.
The oxford english dictionary first records such a usage in 1633. Kelley blue book help facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers by offering kelley blue book used car value prices. This list later became known as the kelley blue book. Beginning in 1952, project blue book investigated 12,618 sightings, dating back to the origins of project sign in 1947. The enormous popularity of his lists prompted kelley to publish the first blue book of motor car values in 1926. Use kelley blue book as your onestop car shopping resource and research new or used cars, get the value. Dodge brand wins a kelley blue book brand image award for. The state of wisconsin blue book remains the primary onevolume reference source about the state, documenting the organization of the states three branches of government legislative, executive, and judicial. Get a vehicle history report before buying a used car. By the 1960s, the company moved from a car dealership to a specialty publisher and focused on the production of its automobile price guide. How to use carfax and kelley blue book in buying or.
Kelley blue book was formed in 1926, and the kelley family continued its dealership business in southern california for several decades. A vin check will reveal past ownership, title information, accident history, liens, vehicle maintenance, faulty odometer settings, and flood. Allen hyneks government investigations of ufo sightings. Buster kelley becomes gm of the dealership and publisher of the blue book.
Kelleys publication outlived the social register, and the company eventually trademarked the term. Experian automotives autocheck vehicle history reports. Kelley blue book value used cars price guide, free vin. The atlanta journalconstitution austin americanstatesman dayton daily news hamilton ohio journalnews the middletown journal the palm beach daily news the palm beach post the springfield newssun weekly newspapers. Kbb offers you the make, design and engine type of the boat to establish the tradein value. Id like to receive useful tips, tools and resources via email from kelley blue book and affiliates. Kelley blue book is a resource for anyone shopping for a new or used car. In 1918, les kelley, a businessman from arkansas, founded a car dealership with no more than three model t fords.
There is also one for several other vehicle categories, including boats, motorcycles and classic cars. Thr r lots f rn u m want t know th value of ur boat. Since 1926, kelley blue book has been one of the bestknown names in the auto industry in the united states. Kelley blue book was now a national trade resource, expanding valuations to motorcycles, recreational vehicles, mobile homes and new cars.
Originally published as blue book of motor car values, the kelley blue book has been in use since 1926, when les kelley, a used car dealer, realized that his car valuation list which hed been using since the early 1920s provided a service to other car dealers. The name blue book had been used to refer to the social registry, a list of socially important people. Despite higher interest rates and incentives remaining flat yearoveryear, this was the strongest growth in transaction prices since 20. The automotive research company kelley blue book has announced its 2020 best buy award winners, which names several top car brands as best models across 16 different categories. In 2017, kelley blue book expanded internationally, launching in portugal and brazil. With little education and few assets, the mechanically inclined kelley made money by acquiring, reconditioning and selling used cars. About kelley blue book if youre searching for used car pricing information, then youll want to use the most trusted source in the car business. Sedans suvs crossovers hybridelectric sports luxury trucks vansminivans hatchbacks coupes wagons convertibles compacts cpo. Today, kelley blue book extends the tradition internationally, with trusted values and a reputation for innovation, including resources to help you research, price and shop for. North dakota blue book state historical society of north.
Dmv autocheck vehicle history report how to use car. The kelley blue book is available both online and in hard copy. Since 1926, kelley blue book has been the leading provider of car and pricing info, helping to align buyer and seller expectations and remove friction from the transaction process. You can determine the condition of a vehicle by taking a condition quiz found on the equipment selection page, or by comparing the car to these category definitions. The label also included the blue book price and the kelley blue book official seal.