Wilcox Limousines enters administration as FRP takes control of historic coachbuilder

Eagle Specialist Vehicles Limited, trading as Wilcox Limousines, has entered administration, with Alexander Kinninmonth and James Prior of FRP Advisory appointed as joint administrators on 16 March 2026, placing one of the UK’s longest-standing ceremonial vehicle manufacturers into formal insolvency proceedings.

Wilcox Limousines has operated as a specialist coachbuilder serving the funeral sector, producing bespoke hearses and limousines tailored to funeral directors across the UK. The business traces its origins to 1948 and has built a reputation around craftsmanship, heritage, and customization in a niche segment of the automotive manufacturing market.

The administration reflects mounting pressure on smaller, specialist manufacturers facing rising input costs, supply chain disruption, and broader economic uncertainty. Businesses operating in low-volume, high-specification segments have been particularly exposed to fluctuations in demand and limited ability to absorb cost increases.

While specific details regarding the company’s financial position and the causes of insolvency have not been disclosed, the appointment follows a period of strain across UK manufacturing, where inflationary pressures and financing constraints have weighed on liquidity, particularly for family-owned enterprises with concentrated product lines.

The administrators are expected to undertake an assessment of the company’s order book, assets, and intellectual property, including the Wilcox brand, as part of efforts to preserve value for creditors.