7:40 am, January 24, 2026
Targa Florio Cars director William Kirkham has told the BBC that the supercar dealer is ‘entering liquidation’ and he is ‘filing for bankruptcy’.
According to reports, at least some of the customers have received settlements from Kirkham for their missing cars.
In a story published by BBC Sussex, three customers told how they had given Targa Florio their cars on a sale or return (SoR) basis but later found out that the cars had been sold and no funds had been handed over.
In each case, the customers said they been in contact with Kirkham until he eventually stopped replying.
When Car Dealer visited the ex-Targa Florio dealership earlier this week it found all cars had been removed and the site still had computers on the desks and many items left behind.
One customer who gave his car to Kirkham on sale or return said he was told by the owner that the dealership would reopen on January 5 but when he turned up everything had gone.
Kirkham’s solicitor told the BBC that the decision to close had been taken ‘following very difficult trading conditions’.
He blamed ‘black book realignment, the increase in business rates, national insurance and other business expenses’.
He said the business would be placed into ‘insolvent liquidation’ and that Kirkham ‘intends to apply for bankruptcy’.
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According to an update, the three named customers have received settlements, but others told Car Dealer they have not had any contact from the business or its representatives.
Kamrul Husan Sumon and Bradford Law were interviewed by the BBC and were expecting to receive £32,000 and £28,000 respectively for their vehicles but only discovered they had been sold when they were notified of a change of ownership by the DVLA.
Frank and Millie Dowsett still don’t know what happened to their Morgan but were expecting to get £19,000 for the classic car.
Sussex Police told Car Dealer earlier this week: ‘We are aware of a number of reports involving payment issues over vehicle sales relating to a company in Chichester.
‘Enquiries are ongoing at this stage.’
Car Dealer has attempted to contact Targa Florio Cars director William Kirkham for comment. He has not responded.
You can watch the full video from when Car Dealer visited Targa Florio Cars by clicking play above.
