Dash covers vs dash pads

The cover wont lay just right on a pad that is severely warped. They are nice though when properly installed. I has a Dart version in our 1st 67 nothback way back in 1988. Price was 75.00 then,,
from wholsale dist. no less.
I did manage to get it dyed for free. :)
IF I paid 300 + to have a oem pad restored I'd have to put a cap over it to protect my investment.
One of the first things I noticed in a new Dodge truck was absense of a foam filled dash pad. All hard plasic like these caps, so mfgrs finally got a clue. LOL