At Palo Alto Speedometer, our mission is to combine expert craftsmanship with a true passion for automotive history. We specialize in restoring, customizing, and programming gauges with precision and care. Whether it’s a vintage classic or a modern cluster, we treat each project with the same level of respect and attention to detail. Our goal is to deliver results that not only look great but perform flawlessly.
Growing up in Germany, Claus developed an early fascination with precision engineering, which led him to an aptitude test in 1955. Assigned to study electronics and instrument mechanics at the VDO factory in Frankfurt, the 15-year-old apprentice spent three days a week in the shop honing his skills, with the other two days dedicated to morning classes and afternoon practice, a rigorous schedule typical of the era. Under the guidance of master mechanics, Claus worked in a special room crafting short-run instruments, including custom calibrations for race cars and the coveted chronometric tachometers for early Spyder and Carrera models, igniting a lifelong dedication to quality.
A childhood memory of a Golden Gate Bridge photo in his room, paired with a sticker reading “Speedometer Service and Instruments, 131 Fell St.” on an instrument while he worked in Germany, inspired him to write a letter to Orrin Hurlbut in San Francisco. In 1957, dressed in a suit and with a fresh haircut, Claus arrived at 131 Fell Street, quickly shedding his formal attire to start work immediately. A few years later, he married his sweetheart, Helga, also working in the U.S., and soon after, the Palo Alto VDO store became available. With support from mentors von Payer and Hurlbut, Claus seized the opportunity, purchasing the store and laying the foundation for our legacy.
Our services include handcrafting transfers with original factory techniques for gauge dials, offering blasting with clearcoat or zinc plating for durability, and creating custom gauges. Claus always had a vision for the future, and that has bled into how we also modernize our equipment for mileage cluster programming, keeping pace with the latest vehicles. Every detail reflects our commitment to excellence, from unseen internal components and fresh paint inside cases to vibrant colorful indicator lenses, new chrome, glass, and bezels. With hundreds of our gauges showcased at prestigious concours car shows, Palo Alto Speedometer remains a trusted name, bridging Claus’s German-rooted craftsmanship with innovative restorations and customizations that bring your automotive vision to life.
A respected figure within the restoration community, Hartmut has become synonymous with Porsche gauge restoration, earning widespread acclaim for his meticulous work. His leadership ensures that every project benefits from decades of family tradition, blended with cutting-edge techniques. Our team, inspired by this heritage, continues to serve enthusiasts and dealerships with unparalleled dedication, fostering a welcoming environment where every gauge tells a story of precision and pride. At Palo Alto Speedometer, we honor our past while embracing the future, inviting you to experience the artistry and reliability that have defined us for over six decades.
We take pride in restoring your gauges to their original glory. Our skilled technicians meticulously repair each gauge to exact factory specifications, guaranteeing performance as precise as the day your car was built, while keeping that patina look.
Our concours restoration service restores your gauges to their factory-fresh appearance with unparalleled precision. We meticulously recreate every detail to match the original design, ensuring your gauges look and perform as they did when your car first left the showroom. Choose between case blasting with clear coating for original color preservation or zinc plating for enhanced durability and a brilliant finish. At Palo Alto Speedometer; no detail is overlooked. We refurbish internal components, repaint case interiors, and restore gauge dials, also known as gauge faces, using handcrafted, factory-accurate transfers. Pointers, indicator lenses, chrome trim, glass, and bezels are refreshed or replaced as needed, ensuring every element, seen or unseen, is meticulously finished for flawless authenticity and performance.
We approach customization with the same uncompromising attention to detail that defines our concours-level restorations. Your vision is our blueprint, and no dream is too bold or intricate for our skilled artisans. Whether you desire a specific color palette, bespoke artwork, a personalized logo, or a unique image, we’ll craft a gauge that perfectly captures your style. To ensure an exact match for your custom colors, we kindly ask that you provide color swatches, allowing us to achieve flawless precision in every hue. From custom boost gauges for your 911 to triple sets for your 356 or 914, we bring your ideas to life with precision and creativity. No matter how unique or ambitious the concept, each gauge is crafted to perform flawlessly and reflect your individuality. At Palo Alto Speedometer, we turn imagination into reality with expert craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Our list of options is ever-growing, here are a few more examples:
These are just some of our many different services that we offer, if you don’t see a specific customization option for your gauge please give us a call. We would love to make your custom gauges come to life and check out our Gallery to see more!
At Palo Alto Speedometer, our mission is to combine expert craftsmanship with a true passion for automotive history. We specialize in restoring, customizing, and programming gauges with precision and care. Whether it’s a vintage classic or a modern cluster, we treat each project with the same level of respect and attention to detail. Our goal is to deliver results that not only look great but perform flawlessly.
We believe great work comes from experience, integrity, and a genuine love for what we do. That’s why we’ve earned the trust of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals across the country. By blending traditional techniques with up-to-date tools and technology, we’re able to bring our clients' visions to life and help keep automotive heritage alive for years to come.
That trust started with one bench in Palo Alto and it is still the same bench. If you have a car with instruments worth keeping, send us an inquiry and tell us what you have.
Whether it's a faulty gauge, faded dial, or full cluster restoration let us bring your instrumentation back to peak performance and elegance.