Palo Alto Speedometer is a family-owned automotive gauge restoration shop in Palo Alto, California, specializing in vintage Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, and European instrument repair since 1957. For nearly seven decades and two generations, we’ve repaired, restored, and customized speedometers, tachometers, clocks, and gauges for drivers and builders across the country.
A Shop Built by a VDO Man
Our story starts with Claus Mees, who worked at the VDO instrument factory in Germany. VDO made the gauges in many of the classic European cars we still work on today.
Claus saw a newspaper ad for a job in Detroit and made the trip across the Atlantic. He was hired the moment he arrived, and in his dress clothes, he simply rolled up his sleeves and got to work.
Not long after, Claus heard about plans to set up a VDO shop in the San Francisco Bay Area. He dropped everything, moved to California, and made the opportunity his own. In 1957 he opened Palo Alto Speedometer on Emerson Street. In the early 1970s, he bought the building across the street, and that’s where we’ve been ever since.
Today the shop is run by Claus’s son, Hartmut Mees, who carries his father’s German-rooted craftsmanship forward and has become one of the most respected names in Porsche gauge restoration.
What We Work On
We restore and repair mechanical and electronic gauges, including:
- Porsche: 356, 911, 912, 914, 930, 964, 993, 996/997, 986 Boxster, and later models
- Mercedes-Benz: classic and vintage instruments from the 1950s through the 1980s, including the 300SL Gullwing and Roadster, 190SL, 280SL Pagoda, R107 SL series, Ponton, Fintail, W108/W111 sedans and coupes, W123, and W126
- Other European marques: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, BMW, VW, and Alfa Romeo, a marque we especially specialize in
- Every kind of gauge: speedometers, tachometers, clocks, oil, fuel, temperature, pressure, voltmeters, ammeters, and more
- Odometer repair, kilometer-to-mile conversions, and calibration
- Fully bespoke custom gauges: new faces, patterns, textures, colors, and just about anything you can imagine
Hundreds of our restored gauges have appeared at concours car shows across the country.
Fixing What You Can’t See
Our philosophy is simple: we fix the things you can’t see.
Many shops do the bare minimum. On an odometer repair, for example, most will replace the broken gear and send it back. We replace that gear, then do several more things inside the gauge to make sure the repair lasts. We also replace circuit board components we know will fail down the road, before they fail.
When we remove the glass, the paint on the original inlay ring often peels. So we powder-coat a fresh one and install it. It’s extra work, but it makes a better gauge, so we do it every time.
Every gauge passes through Hartmut before it leaves the shop. He is our final quality check, and he doesn’t let anything go out the door unless it’s right.
Who We Work With
We help everyone, from the ground up:
- Everyday owners who need a repair or want their gauges cleaned up and looking sharp
- Collectors restoring one or several cars to a high standard
- Restoration shops and garages that send us multiple gauge sets a year
- High-end builders who need concours-level, factory-correct instruments, or bespoke one-off builds that pop out of the dash
Whether you have one tired speedometer or a full five-gauge set, you get the same care.
Serving Customers Nationwide
Most of our work arrives by mail from all over the country, and local customers are always welcome at our Emerson Street shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Palo Alto Speedometer been in business?
Since 1957. It was founded by Claus Mees, a former VDO factory employee, and is now run by his son, Hartmut Mees.
What cars does Palo Alto Speedometer work on?
Primarily vintage and classic Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, along with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, BMW, VW, and other European vehicles.
Where is Palo Alto Speedometer located?
718 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, California. We accept mail-in work nationwide.
What makes Palo Alto Speedometer different?
We go beyond the minimum repair, replacing hidden components that are likely to fail and refinishing parts like inlay rings, with every gauge personally inspected by Hartmut Mees.
Ready to Get Started?
Still have a question? If you like what you’ve read and want to talk through your gauges, send us an inquiry.
Ready to send your gauges? Submit an order.