In Wheel Time - Cartalk Radio

The century-long story of how we value cars has dramatically shifted from dog-eared pages to digital databases. Before the internet, car dealers, buyers, and even divorce courts relied on physical booklets like Kelly Blue Book and NADA guides to determine fair market prices. These guides weren't just reference materials—they were essential tools that brought transparency to a notoriously opaque market.NADA began tracking vehicle values in 1922, creating a standardized system that expanded far beyond dealership lots. During World War II, as manufacturing materials were diverted to the war effort, these guides became crucial in preventing price gouging when used car demand skyrocketed. Even government assistance programs consulted these books when determining eligibility, considering vehicle value as part of an applicant's assets.The digital revolution changed everything. What started with experimental floppy disks and CD-ROMs in the 1990s evolved into sophisticated online platforms delivering real-ti