UK funeral car company falls into administration – family business since 1948 | UK | News
A well-established British hearse manufacturer with roots dating back to the post-war period has collapsed into administration, dealing a serious blow to a family business that has been operating for nearly eighty years. Eagle Specialist Vehicles Limited, trading as Wilcox Limousines, formally appointed administrators on 13 March 2026, according to a notice lodged with the High Court of Justice and published in The London Gazette.
Based in Hindley Green, near Wigan, the company is a specialist ceremonial coachbuilder supplying bespoke hearses across the UK. The Wilcox name has been associated with the industry since 1948, when the family business was first established.
Joint administrators Alexander Kinninmonth and James Prior of FRP Advisory Trading Limited have been appointed to oversee the process. The firm’s registered office is moving to Southampton as part of administration.
Wilcox Limousines has gained a reputation for producing high-end hearses and limousines, often designed around the wishes of funeral directors. The company has emphasized its heritage and family values, describing its work as based on a long-standing commitment to craftsmanship, care and quality.
The Wilcox family emphasized their “deep connection to our past” in company materials and said their 1948 origins continue to shape their passion for innovation and excellence in ceremonial vehicle design.
No detailed information has yet been provided about the cause of the bankruptcy or the number of jobs affected.
The collapse reflects the increasing pressures facing specialist manufacturers in the UK, particularly smaller, family-run firms struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty.
Directors can be contacted through FRP Advisory’s Southampton office; Here, the company’s financial health will be assessed and options for the business will be explored, including a possible sale or restructuring.
Wilcox Limousines has been contacted for comment.
