A long-established British funeral car maker with roots stretching back to the post-war era has collapsed into administration, marking a significant blow to a family-run business that has operated for nearly eight decades. Eagle Specialist Vehicles Limited, which trades as Wilcox Limousines, formally appointed administrators on March 13, 2026, according to a notice filed at the High Court of Justice and published in The London Gazette.

The company, based in Hindley Green near Wigan, has been a specialist ceremonial coachbuilder supplying bespoke funeral vehicles 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 being moved to Southampton as part of the administration.

Wilcox Limousines built a reputation for producing high-end hearses and limousines, often tailored to funeral directors’ specifications. The company emphasised its heritage and family values, describing its work as rooted in craftsmanship, care and a long-standing commitment to quality.

In company materials, the Wilcox family highlighted their “deep connection with our past” and said their origins in 1948 continued to shape their ambitions for innovation and excellence in ceremonial vehicle design.

No immediate details have been released on the cause of the insolvency or the number of jobs affected.

The collapse reflects mounting pressures facing specialist manufacturers in the UK, particularly smaller, family-run firms navigating rising costs and economic uncertainty.

The administrators can be contacted via FRP Advisory’s Southampton office, where they will assess the company’s financial position and explore options for the business, including a potential sale or restructuring.

Wilcox Limousines has been contacted for comment.