Bhubaneswar, Dec. 19: Two techies from Odisha have come up with the state's first unit for restoration of prized vehicles and vintage cars.

The passion for vintage cars made these automobile engineering graduates from KIIT to start their own company. UCC (United Car Company) repairs everything from high-end Rolls-Royces to vintage Auburns.

'We had always been in love with vintage cars and their make. That is why we decided to change our passion into work and keep alive the ingenious engineering of yesteryears,' said Dhananjay Narayan Bhanjadeo.

'We wanted to keep the flame of restoration alive in a state which was once filled with beautiful and exotic cars,' said Bhanjadeo's partner Abhimanyu Argal, adding that Odisha has over 40 vintage car collectors.

'Unfortunately, not many are aware of the value of their possessions and many sell them to scrap dealers. Last month, a man from Baripada sold his Rolls-Royce to a scrap dealer. It could have fetched him a fortune but he was ignorant. There are people who are yet to understand the value of this prized vehicle,' said Bhanjadeo. 'Primarily into restoration of old cars, we also have ample room for fun here in our garage. We also have absolutely mundane projects on the plate as well, but we are here to fulfil our unconditional love for automobiles,' Bhanjadeo said.

Argal and Bhanjadeo organised a workshop on restoration and modifications of vintage cars to the engineering students of KIIT today. They were trained to participate in SAE (Society of Automotive Engineering) India's project by building and modifying a Mahindra Jeep 540 D, which is another iconic vehicle that plied on Indian roads. The first jeep model rolled out in the early 1950's and was manufactured by the Willys Overland.

UCC also helped the students to learn about engines, gearbox transmission systems, suspensions and body designing.