Figured out the top rail. 3 nuts then.. as my instructors used to say.. brute force and ignorance! Came out like a dream. I think if it ever goes back in there will be a little more engineering required. :)

Using the eyeballs for AC is a very good idea! I'll think about that!

In the mean time, I have the wood out (it needed refinishing anyway) How does the top pad come off? The "works dash I have will only fit if I remove it.

I have seen Jap spec Mini's with the outer two eyeball vents utilized for the a/c vents.
Look on some of the Japanese sites there are a ton of them over there with center speedo conversions and a/c.

It's far easier to play dashboards in a car with the padded top & bottom dash rails as the actual dashboard is a flat board - on a '97 it should be a doddle. 

Great! That's what I was most curious about.

This is what I have. yes, there are 2 left parts... I will need to make a middle panel if I go this way I suppose. It originally went either side of the center Binacle. Not sure if I'm going to do that again or use the stock gauges. I really like having AC in the car :) I guess I'll decide when I get it apart

Gromit, the dash rail and lower windscreen panel are very similar on the later cars, I am betting the Works dash would fit with no problems.

Rockler Wood worker supplies sell self stick real wood veneers. Strip  your veneer off your dash . Peel and stick. Take an razor blade or xacto and cut out the openings . and apply a finish of your choice

I'll post pics of the dash bits I have. I had them made up based loosely on the LRX 829E Works car dash. It's aluminum with wrinkle powder coating. It was fitted in one of my previous cars and has a few switches and gauges fit that would need changing, but I would like to use it in this car. Because I have, and wish to keep, A/C it will need a center panel for the vents etc. Anyway, If I can't fighure a way to use it I'll probably sell it as it sucks to have it sitting in a box when it should be in a car.

If you like the brushed stainless steel look or just want to paint it just remove the dash and sand the loose veneer off and re cover it. Around the clocks is hard so maybe just paint it a satin black.
Three bolts hold the dash in place two behind the eyeball vents and one in the center which you need to remove the stereo to get to it, all the parts are screwed in from the back side of the dash.

Unfortunately, I have nothing useful to contribute, but I would love to see the finished product if you decide to go that route. My 95 JDM is definitely on the ragged side

Pondering my options.

The walnut dash in the 1997 JDM is cracked and lifting a little more than I'm happy with. Years ago I made an alloy "Works" type dash for an older project.

Has anyone ever fit one of these to a newer Rover Mini? I am assuming the "bones" of the car are the same beneath the dash and cap.

I realize the a/c is a bit of an issue here. but I think I can work around it.