Morris Cooper S 970 1964 E.Businaro

[Zinc38]

Hi all
My name is Romain and I live in the French Alps near Chambéry (Savoie)
I have been a big mini enthusiast for 20 years and I currently own a 1966 Austin Cooper mk1, a 1974 Innocenti Cooper Export, a 1989 Mini Special and here is the presentation of my new project

This is a Morris Cooper S 970 1964, Tartan Red and Black roof.

This Cooper S has a strong historical past in Belgium since it won the title of Belgian Hill Climb Group 2 championship, 6 times from 1970 to 1975.
The famous Belgian tuner-driver Emile BUSINARO was crowned Belgian champion in 1970, 71, 72, 73.
He sold the car to his best friend Francis MASSEAUX who was champion in 1974 and 1975.
During these years, the cooper S underwent several engine transformations passing in 1293 cc with cylinder head 5 ports WEBER then 8 ports Westlake injection etc.

Mr Businaro was also a BMC dealer at the time and this is why in 1972 the 970S was fitted with MK2 rear lights and a mk2 front grille, making publicity for his dealership and the mini mk2s of the moment .
Following the death of Francis Masseaux, it was his brother who took over the Cooper S and completely restored it in the early 90s, giving it mk1 rear lights back and it was at this time that it became green with a white roof.
Since its restoration in 1990, it has been very active on international historic rallies such as Liège-Rome-Liège in 1992, 1993, Liège-Sofia-Liège in 1994, 1995, and also many rallies in Belgium until 2019. She was known as TB520.

I acquired this Cooper S in 2020 and decided to realise a complete restoration as for my Cooper mk1.
The many years of hill climbing and rallying have not spared the body and many parts will be changed, but the body being the original one, the work is worth the effort!

I also recently found the correct 970 S engine and gearbox to restore it to stock configuration.
My goal is to put it back in Tartan Red and black roof and will be equipped to do regularity rallies
This is a project that will span several years, so I hope you will enjoy following the progress of the work.

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[Zinc38]

Sandblasting

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New floor job

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[Zinc38]

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Boot floor job

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[Zinc38]

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[trevorhp]

Hi Romain
That is a wonderful story.
Great work so far.
Keep the pictures coming.

[steve1071]

Hi Romain, what a fabulous find. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Pretty sure i've sent you some parts via ebay...?

[irlmin]

What a brilliant story , and a big project , looking forward to the updates .
G

[AndyPen]

How great to have all that history too

[morris-miner]

Another wonderful storey of a well used, well campaigned Mini, and looking forward to many more update on this build.

[Zinc38]

Thank you very much for your messages.
The next step will be the replacement of the rear wings before the front parts.

I also thank the son of Mr BUSINARO who sent me a lot of period documents and many details on the Cooper S.

one of my favorite details is why a single front wing was painted white at the time. It was to recognize the cooper s on the circuit when she passed behind the pits at ZOLDER (B)

[Gary Schulz]

Interesting history for this significant car. Can I ask why you replaced the entire floor pan with a new one? Looks like the original was not particularly rusty.

I see you are using weld-through primer. Are you having any issues welding the painted surfaces? I tried using that same copper based primer on some spot welded panels and it made the welding very difficult and gave me poor results.

[Zinc38]

Hi Gary

the original floor was very damaged, rusty and had also suffered several bad repairs.

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I use a copper primer and I have no particular problems with MIG welding. I setting the welding station stronger.

I haven't tried with the spot welder.

[Gary Schulz]

Good to know. My only issue with copper weld-through primer was for spot welding. I had to struggle to get good solid joints but sounds like MIG works well then...

[Zinc38]

Hello Guys
some work progress this weekend

rear wing replacement on right side

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[AndyPen]

Looking good - will be a really strong shell when done

[Exminiman]

Really interesting project, the history makes it.

As others have said, will be a good strong shell with the new floors, think you made right decision to replace rather than repair.

[e-type]

Just love a car with history, and this is the super rare 970 S. Beautiful work so far. Get it back to Tartan red, then wrap it in period colors and stickers. The 970 engine is a bit dull as stock, so my choice would be full race cam and a straight cut box with a low diff. The 970 is a very tuff little engine that can take a lot of rpm, without trouble.

[Zinc38]

Hi
Thank you for your messages
I don't know yet which camshaft I'll put in the 970 because I live in the Alps and I also need torque ..SW5?
The work on the body is progressing slowly, I have started replacing the left inner wing..

[Exminiman]

Great work, please keep photos coming
just wondered will you be transferring the rear cross member from the old floor or not ?

[MiNiKiN]

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Will you fit the second cross member again? I think this is a nice period feature that should, if possible, be kept.

Nice project