I've got a 2001 OB with beige leather upholstery, which is still in great condition except for one panel of the driver's seat, which is ripped and deteriorating rapidly. Most likely it was from pens in my back pocket or something stupid.

 

In the past, when upholstery got old on any of my cars, I would just buy a custom reupholstery kits and install them with the hog rings. So I can do upholstery work, but the dealer said no upholstery is available for this car. So what are my options for restoring this seat other than hoping for a pristine seat at a pick-n-pull (not likely around here), or slapping a seat cover over it (not my favorite idea)?

http://www.gtcovers.com/seat-covers/product.asp

Take it to an auto upholstery shop and have them replace the section that's damaged.

What he said, stop by a place and ask.

 

I have one front power leather seat from that vehicle if you're around OH PA WV or MD.

Take it to an auto upholstery shop and have them replace the section that's damaged.

+1 on Fairtax advise. A good upholstery shop will repair the seat to "like new" condition.

Depending on how bad the damage is. It might react very well to some leather conditioner.

 

The driver's seat in our 2004 VDC was in pretty nasty shape when I bought it. Dried and cracked very badly. A couple treatments with some Leather cleaner and then conditioner (I used Lexol brand), and you almost can't tell.

 

 

Leather has to be cared for. It has to be conditioned, or it will dry out and become brittle. Take care of it, and it'll last.

If there is a shoe repair shop near you, try them.  They will often repair the seat cover for far less than an upholstery shop would, but you have to remove the cover yourself.