If your father doesn’t have the technical ability to do most of the work, and must solely rely on hired technicians, sorry to say he will fail. A performance specialty shop would require a higher skill level technician, and these guys usually have there own shop.

Tools alone can cost a bundle, diagnostic tools, hand, specialty tools, and lifts. How would you measure your performance work, with out a diano, someone spending money on performance likes to see the results. If he’s a good tech, start as a one man shop with general repairs.

Getting the money usualy isn't a problem, its what the money wants from you.

You should do some research and start writting a very detailed business plan. Then go to investors or banks. I will WAG with the cost of things today starting a high end shop from scratch would cost $500k-$1M. Certainly that amount is doable if you present a good business plan that will pay to the right people. I'd also get a lawyer because you would need to figure out what type of ownership to use. IE if you own it as an S or LLC your liability should it go under will be limited, ie they can't take your house.

Maybe purchase an already existing business?

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Nearly every independant shop in my area comes to me for advice, or to borrow special tools, or to have codes cleared, etc...........!!! Since they buy parts from us we help them out as a courtesy, in most cases at no charge. These favors are becoming so frequent that we've had to start charging all but our best clients. Now, some of these guys were top-shelf tech's back in their dealership days but they're falling behind as time goes by. I don't blame them. I have every MB resource imaginable at my disposal and I get overwhelmed sometimes. Trying to stay on top of current events is like having a job within a job. Personally, I'd never consider opening my own shop. I would consider a franchise deal (muffler shop, brakes, shocks, etc.). At least you'd have less trouble finding qualified help. I think anybody who opens an auto repair shop nowadays is either very brave, very naive, or very crazy!!!