This paper discusses car speedometers throughout the years.
http://epublications.bond.edu.au/cgi...ntext=hss_pubs
Two interesting points :
1. There were some speedometers with zero at top right as in the 'modern' ASI
(Page 10, 1928 Mercedes-Benz 540 k)
2. This design is said to be counter-intuitive since increase in speed results in 'downward' movement of the pointer
(Page 23 3rd Paragraph)